In the second part of our series, we dive into two of the most exciting aspects of whiskey appreciation—how it feels and tastes. You might think these are purely subjective sensations, but advanced technology helps scientists quantify them in surprising ways.
Mouthfeel: The Texture of Whiskey
Sensory Objective:
Mouthfeel refers to how whiskey feels on your palate. Is it smooth, creamy, viscous, or thin? These are all crucial aspects that contribute to the overall drinking experience.
Scientific Method:
To measure the texture, scientists use Rheometry or Viscometry. These methods quantify the viscosity—or thickness—of whiskey, correlating it to the sensation on your tongue. The more viscous a whiskey, the richer and smoother it feels. By measuring these properties, distillers can ensure consistency in texture from batch to batch. A rheometer gives detailed readings for complex textures, while a viscometer is more basic, measuring how easily the whiskey flows.A rheometer, used for measuring texture and viscosity, can range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on its precision and complexity. A viscometer, typically used for simpler viscosity measurements, costs $500 to $5,000.
Flavor Evaluation: Unraveling Whiskey’s Taste Profile
Sensory Objective:
Tasting whiskey involves identifying flavors like sweetness, bitterness, saltiness, and even umami. You might notice notes of honey, vanilla, spices, or fruit, and the balance between these flavors makes each whiskey unique.
Scientific Method:
Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), scientists can identify and quantify the specific flavor compounds in whiskey. This method reveals the presence of esters, tannins, sugars, and more, all of which contribute to the taste. This high-tech tool identifies and measures the flavor compounds in whiskey. It breaks the whiskey down to reveal what’s creating the sweet, spicy, or fruity flavors, helping distillers know exactly what’s in the glass. This is another high-end tool, with average costs ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, depending on the sophistication and specific applications.
The development of an electronic tongue also allows the detection of sweetness or bitterness, helping distillers create the perfect balance of flavors in each bottle. Like a digital taste tester, the electronic tongue senses and analyzes different tastes, such as sweetness or bitterness. It mimics how our tongues experience flavor, helping distillers fine-tune the balance of flavors in whiskey. Electronic Tongue – The cost for an electronic tongue system, which can analyze taste, typically ranges from $30,000 to $100,000, depending on the model and its capabilities.
In Conclusion
Science has several ways to allow us to quantify the rich textures and flavors we enjoy in whiskey, ensuring consistency and quality in every sip. From measuring mouthfeel with rheometry to analyzing flavor compounds with LC-MS, these tools give distillers a deeper understanding of what makes each whiskey unique.
In our next blog, we’ll dig deeper into how science measures aspects like sweetness, astringency, and acidity, taking whiskey analysis to the next level.