How do I get started with craft spirits? It’s a question we are often asked — and one that we mull over ourselves as new distillers. While many of us are veteran fans of craft beer and aren’t new to conventional vodka and gin, it can seem daunting to try craft spirits. Here’s an Eau Claire Distillery gift to you — our 5 step tasting for craft vodka, gin, rye or any other craft spirits.

Tastings can be wonderfully elaborate including sizing up the spirit’s appearance (the colour and legs), body (thickness and how it swirls — viscosity being related to aging) and the mouth-feel or texture you experience. With these five simple steps to tasting craft spirits, we’re simplifying things to keep it casual.

Bonus step: Imagine yourself in a tuxedo

This step is optional, but we find it easier to try a completely new craft spirit when we are channelling our inner James Bond “shaken not stirred” selves. Yes, we’re actually in jeans and snow boots at the liquor store, but we offer a demure smile to the cashier, and imagine we are driving home in an Aston Martin.

Step #1: Pick 3 or 4 craft spirits

Start with what you like already. If it’s big batch vodka — try craft vodka. If it’s conventional gin — go craft gin. For a tasting, it is best to compare all one type of spirit. Your palate is only up for discerning about four flavours, so we suggest selecting two or three craft spirits and one conventional one to compare.

How do you pick from the shelf? By all means ask advice from staff, do some advance googling around if you like, but you’re just doing your first tasting so feel free to wing it a little — pick your favourite distillery hometowns or see what hooks you on the bottle labels.

For your tasting — here’s what you’ll need:

· four or more friends to make it fun

· 3 or 4 spirits chosen, bottles opened about an hour before tasting to let some air in

· glasses for all guests to use at least four each (eight if you’ve got them), label what’s in each glass or sit them on a paper sheet with spot for each

· Bottled flat water

· Garnishes (left out of the tasting room to not mess with smelling) — details on choices below

· Mixes (also left out of the room) — details on choices below

· Crackers — plain water crackers are good. Saltines are ok but avoid salt.

· A spit bucket — even a flower vase or cold wine holder will do

· Spirits tasting note sheet for each guest (across top are aroma, flavour, garnish, mix and down the side are the names of the spirits you are trying)

Here we go…

Step #2: Sniff, slurp, spit and see what you think

For each guest, pour their glass #1 just one-third full of a spirit, straight up, with not even ice here. Remind guests to keep their lips glued shut as you make the glass rounds. Now… let the tasting begin.

First, take a sniff. Like wine tasting, spirits tasting starts with the nose, that sender of the message that something good is coming. Most vodkas live up to their claim of having no aroma but gins and ryes offer lots of scent. Get your nose right down into the glass and inhale. What do you notice? Is the aroma light, heavy, rich, sweet or even sharp and almost prickly, like sniffing a carbonated drink?

Next, take a slurp — we mean a combo sip and inhale. Aim for the smallest sip that lets you try on the flavour as you want to pace yourself and your palate. Let the spirit sit in your mouth for observation then spit it out. Yes, that’s where that pretty bucket fits in.

What are you observing for? If it’s a gin tasting, explore for hints of juniper, cedar, fennel, oregano, star anise (liquorice), turmeric, black pepper, grapefruit or vanilla. If you are drawing a blank at what juniper or coriander smell like — have some of those herbs on hand but in a whole other room where guests can go visit to do a primer without filling the tasting room with distracting scents. If you are super-pro — explore for flavours of angelica, celery leaf, cassia and orris but don’t be the show off… that’s a mood killer.

After everyone’s tried one spirit straight, eat a round of crackers. Then do the same spirit but add some water, slurp and repeat. Invite guests to consider what changes about the flavour when you add water? Which way does everyone prefer the spirit — straight or mixed? Notice if you’ve got a mass produced liquor in your tasting combination, how does it compare to the craft spirits?

Between each spirit sampler — eat a cracker and drink some plain water.

Step #3: Add just a twist

Ok, it’s time for some spirit plus garnish flavour combos. Imagine you are tasting gin — now is the time to bring out some garnishes that can accent the flavour without taking it over (leave these far out of sniffing range until now). We typically choose fresh ice cubes, zest and wedges of lemons and limes, premium green olives, and fresh mint leaves. Various friends like grapefruit, orange, cucumber slices, apple or strawberry slices, kaffir lime leaves, ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon, star anise and even cardamom pods. The choice is yours. Bring out some more glasses and try adding different garnishes to different spirits. Which combinations do you like the most?

By this step in most tastings, especially those of us who like to be first to the finish line, will start saying “I like this one most,” holding up a glass in declaration. Focus on your favourites from here on.

Step #4: Simple cocktails, add a little mix

For purist sippers — you can skip to Step #5. Some would say that mixology is the antithesis of enjoying craft spirits. Other bartenders though think that craft spirits open the door for very simple, vintage-style cocktails where — like in Napolese margherita pizza — something magically delicious happens with four handcrafted, quality ingredients.

For vodka and gin tastings, have on hand a martini shaker and lots of ice. We tend to stay traditional by combining gin, vermouth and an olive. But try two to four ingredient combos with sodas, tonic, or fresh squeezed juices and the garnishes above. Need inspiration? Check out Craft Cocktails by Brian Van Flandern.

Step #5: Share your favourites

Part of the pleasure of experimenting and discovering great ways to enjoy craft spirits — is sharing our favourites. At a tasting party, finish with each guest making a fresh glass of their favourite drink and then pass around the sampler tray. Maybe take note of the crowd’s favourite combinations to offer at future gatherings or to research your next craft spirit purchase.

Tips not here — glasses, mix tools, fancy storage

We drink spirits for pleasure not status. By all means, try different glasses, fancy extras and show off your spirits on a pretty hutch if you like — but don’t get hung up on that. In our experience it’s better to focus on comfortable seating and inviting over great company.

Enjoy experimenting and please drink responsibly.

- Happy holidays from The Eau Claire Distillery team!

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