Collection
Tasting notes & notebooks
With a tasting notebook you record which whiskies you taste and what you think of them, so you get to know your own taste better. In this collection you will find pocket-sized whisky journals by 33 Books from Portland for Scotch, bourbon, Japanese whisky and all whisk(e)y, their hand-printed tasting cards and a Mood4Whisky notebook with room for notes and sketches. Handy during a tasting, on a trip to distilleries or simply at home with a new bottle.
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The 33 Books journals each have room for 33 tasting notes and fit in your inside pocket. The set of 20 tasting cards covers about 60 drams and fits the 33 Books Flight Board, a walnut board that keeps cards and glasses together. The Mood4Whisky notebook has 100 sheets and leaves more free space, for example for a sketch of the label or the colour in the glass.
What do you write in a whisky tasting notebook?
Note at least the name, distillery, age, ABV and cask type, followed by your impressions of colour, nose, palate and finish. Give the whisky your own score and record when and with whom you tasted it. The 33 Books journals have set fields for this so you do not forget anything; in the Mood4Whisky notebook you decide the layout yourself.
How do you describe the aroma and taste of whisky?
Start broad and then get more specific: is the whisky fruity, sweet, spicy or smoky, and which fruit or spice do you recognise? A flavour wheel helps you find the words; the 33 Whiskeys journal has one. The four styles of the M4W Flavour Compass, Smooth & Fruity, Rich & Sweet, Spicy & Lively and Smoky & Powerful, are also a handy starting point. Unsure about a term? Look it up in the M4W Whisky Glossary.
What is the difference between tasting cards and a notebook?
A notebook keeps all your notes in one place and is ideal to take with you. Loose tasting cards are handy during a tasting with several whiskies: the 33 Books cards (25 x 10 cm) have room for about three drams each and fit the Flight Board, which also holds your glasses. Afterwards you can keep the cards or give them to your guests.
Why keep tasting notes?
Because your memory for flavour is shorter than you think. After a few months your notes show which styles, regions and cask types you consistently rate highly, which makes choosing your next bottle easier. You also start to smell and taste more consciously, as you pay attention to what happens in the glass. And it is simply fun to read back later.
Is a whisky journal a nice gift?
Yes, it is a small, personal gift that goes well with a bottle of whisky or a set of tasting glasses. The 33 Books journals come in editions for Scotch, bourbon and Japanese whisky, so you can pick one that matches the recipient's preference. For a larger gift, the set of tasting cards or the Mood4Whisky notebook with 100 sheets is a lovely choice.