First, take a look at the colour in your glass. The whisky’s hue gives you clues about how it was matured.

Hold your glass up to the light. Lighter gold might suggest bourbon cask influence. Richer amber or darker tones often come from sherry casks.

At 8 Doors we never add artificial colouring - what you see come naturally from the cask.

Swirl the whisky gently in your glass and see how the liquid runs down the glass - you may see ‘legs’ which is a good sign for mouthfeel.

Take a sniff! Try short sniffs with your mouth slightly open - that helps the aroma circulate.

What do you smell? There’s no wrong answer - everyone picks up different things.

Ask yourself:

- Is it floral or fruity?

- Sweet or spicy?

- Smoky?

You might get hints of vanilla, fruit, honey, spice… or even something unexpected.

Now take a small sip. Just enough to coat your tongue. Let it sit for a moment before you swallow. What do you notice?

The texture - is it smooth, oily or warming?

The flavours - you might taste flavours that echo the nose, or you might get something new.

Try adding a little water - how does that impact the flavours you get? A little water can often open up different aromas and flavour notes.

Try both and see which way you prefer!

The finish is the lingering flavour after you’ve swallowed the whisky.

Things to think about - did it disappear quickly or could you continue to taste it for a while? That determines if the finish is short or long. Did it leave any warmth, spice, sweetness or dryness?

The real joy of whisky is discovery - flavours that change with each sip, aromas that evolve, and stories in every drop.

We believe whisky is for enjoying - whether you like it neat, with water or ice, in a highball or in a cocktail!