Heaven Hill Distillery | Experience Our Whiskey

Show us some ID and we’ll show you some great whiskey.

The American Whiskey Experience American Whiskey Experience

Looking to expand your palate? We've put together a guide to whiskey tasting for newcomers and experts alike. But remember, how you drink your whiskey is your decision. We’re just here to make sure it’s an experience you enjoy.

To get the best from our American Whiskey, we invite you to
explore our How to Enjoy online tasting experience.

It's an interactive guided whiskey tasting that features both pre-selected
and customizable flights, tasting notes on each whiskey, and a guide on how to fully savor each sip.

START YOUR TASTING EXPERIENCE

Below, you’ll find the favorite tasting tips used by our Master Distiller and expert tasting
team to truly assess the nuances in a whiskey’s aroma and flavor.

Whiskey Tasting 101

There's no right way to taste whiskey, but there are ways to make your whiskey even more enjoyable.

Prepare the Area

Arrange a tasting mat and glasses at each place setting. Position the products that you are tasting from youngest to oldest or from lowest to highest proof.

Tasting Tip #1

Swirl your glass to release the aroma & put your nose to the rim, keeping your mouth slightly open.

Serve a Sample

Pour ½ ounce into each glass. Products are best served at room temperature to maximize aroma and flavor.

Begin Tasting

Taste one sample at a time, paying specific attention to color, aroma, taste, and finish. Have your guests observe and comment on the following:

Color: Hold the glass up to the light, the color is usually an indication of the intensity of the whiskey. Color typically ranges from pale straw to deep amber. The older aged whiskey are most often darker in color.

Aroma: Remember, 75% of what we perceive as taste actually comes from smell. So be sure to swirl your glass to release the aroma and put your nose to the rim to sniff while keeping your mouth slightly open. Take short sniffs to avoid inhaling too deeply, as this could cause you to become temporarily “odor blind” and distort your senses for the tasting that follows.

Taste: Use your best judgment to determine if you need to dilute the whiskey. If you choose to dilute, do so with a drop of water at a time to avoid losing too much flavor. Taste the sample by floating it on your tongue to expose the different areas of the tongue that perceive different tasting notes. Make notes of the body, texture and mouthfeel.

Tasting Tip #1

Swirl your glass to release the aroma & put your nose to the rim, keeping your mouth slightly open.

Serve a Sample

Pour ½ ounce into each glass. Products are best served at room temperature to maximize aroma and flavor.

Discuss Over Snacks

End your tasting on a sweet note by pairing Bourbon with chocolate, or if savoury is more your style, try a variety of cheeses.

Tasting Tip #2

Perfumes, colognes, lotions, strong cleaners, candles, fireplaces and spices that have been used in cooking can also overwhelm the senses and ultimately distort the smell and taste of the whiskey.