Tasting spirits involves more than just taking a sip of St. Dukes Vodka, Gin, or Liqueurs. Each St. Dukes spirits have their stories of careful crafting using local ingredients. Appreciating spirits is a multi-sensory experience involving layers of taste that a distiller has made. St. Dukes Vodka, Gin, or Liqueurs deserve all of this experience.

If this is your first time or just want an experience guide, this guide is to help you appreciate and savor a spirit professionally.

Step 1: Look

1. Before savoring a spirit, you should appreciate its clarity and color. Hold your glass to light.  
2. Vodka should be crystal clear and bright.  
3. Gin shimmers with a faint glow due to its botanic oils.  
4. Liqueurs change color to deep brown with a rich velvety luster. Gold honey color liqueurs have deeper hues.  
5. A clear and clean spirit means St. Dukes took pride in all his small batch distillation and quality ingredients.

Step 2: Smell  
1. To appreciate the spirit, gently turn your glass and take a soft breath while far. A strong assist with alcohol fumes may be overwhelming.  
2. Vodka has faint sweet and grain layer. Try identifying them.The unique fragrance of gin comes from the combination of botanicals like juniper berries, spices, and even citrus fruits.   

Liqueurs have their own distinctive aromas which could be influenced by coffee, vanilla, and fruits.   

Every spirit and liqueur carries a story, and aromas are just the beginning. The ingredients used, the craft behind it, and the unique liqueur- or spirit-making regions all play a role in composing the full story.  

Step 3: Taste

Take a sip, and don’t forget to roll it in your mouth. Try to block other flavors and aromas to fully appreciate the taste.  

How the liqueur or spirit feels in your mouth should also be appreciated. Is it warm or crisp?  

Every spirit and liqueur has different tastes. There’s usually 3 distinct phases: the first, the higher heart, and the finish.  

Good brands, like St. Dukes, have more pronounced phases which change the longer it sits in your mouth.  

Step 4: Feel the Finish  

The finish of the spirit or liqueur fourth phase consists of warmth and aftertaste. Pure and premium spirits will have a burning effect which ties to the craft and distilling skill used.   

St. Dukes achieves elegance and balance with his craft. The locally sourced whey and botanicals are transformed into  memorable spirits.

Step 5: Experiment & Enjoy

Following the exact rules isn’t always a necessary part of tasting a spirit like a professional. Every now and then, step away from the rules and do some personal exploration. For example, taste the spirit straight, with ice, and in a mixed drink. You may be astonished at how the temperature and other ingredients alter the taste.  

Every spirit, cocktail, and drinker is unique, presenting varying characteristics.

Final Sip

In everything, there is a story to be appreciated. To taste spirits like a pro is to understand the hard work, time, and passion that goes into each bottle of St. Dukes — the story behind the locally sourced ingredients, the small batch distilling process, and the craftsmanship that really sets each bottle apart.  

Next time you enjoy a drink, be sure to let the spirit tell its story.