Buffalo Trace Distillery Recipe

Chill glassware

Place 3 small tasting or Glencairn glasses in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill them with ice water to chill while you assemble the other items.

Prepare palate cleansers and water

Arrange 3 unsalted crackers or plain bread pieces on a small plate. Pour 4 oz of filtered water into a small carafe and set a one-teaspoon dropper of room-temperature water nearby for optional micro-dilution.

Set out garnishes and notes

Place a single lemon twist nearby (if using) and set the tasting notes card where tasters can reference the whiskey names and space to record impressions.

Bring out chilled glasses

Remove the chilled glasses from the freezer or discard the ice water and dry them. Place the 3 glasses in a row, left to right, in this order: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Sazerac Rye, Traveller Whiskey (or similar).

Measure and pour

Using a jigger, measure and pour 1 oz of Buffalo Trace Bourbon into the first glass, 1 oz of Sazerac Rye into the second glass, and 1 oz of Traveller Whiskey into the third glass. Pour slowly to avoid splashing and to keep aroma intact.

Add optional ice/stone

If a chilled sip is preferred, add one large ice cube or a whiskey stone to each glass. Note: ice will dilute and change aroma — recommend tasting neat first.

Observe

Hold each glass at an angle against light to observe color and viscosity. Note legs (how the liquid runs down the glass) on the tasting notes card.

Nose

Bring the glass to your nose and take 2–3 short sniffs, then one deeper inhale. Note aromas such as caramel, vanilla, spice, citrus, or oak. Use the lemon twist to briefly scent the rim if desired, but avoid adding the twist to the whiskey unless you want citrus flavor.

Taste neat

Take a small sip, let it coat your tongue, and breathe out gently through your nose to perceive flavors. Note sweetness, spice, mouthfeel, and finish. Use crackers and water between whiskies to neutralize your palate.

Optional dilution

If the whiskey feels hot or closed, add a single drop (use the dropper) of room-temperature water to the glass, swirl gently, then re-nose and taste. Record how aroma and flavors open up with the water.

Compare and record

Work left to right, comparing body, sweetness, spice, and finish. Use the tasting notes card to rank preferences and jot descriptors for each pour.

When finished, discard any whiskey left in glasses (or recap for later if desired), rinse and wash glassware with warm water (no soap recommended if you plan to reuse the same glass soon), dry, and store tasting notes for reference.