A Practical Evaluation Method for Every Spirit Lover
A Practical Evaluation Method for Every Spirit Lover
Over the past decades, The Aroma Academy, UK has pursued a better evaluation method. We aim to establish a diagnostics discipline. It will create a universal language with clear, uniform views of spirits’ character for all tasters. Worldwide, others acknowledge and echo The Aroma Academy’s efforts. One proponent of uniformity is located in Scotland, UK. SATS, Scent & Aroma Technology Systems, and is also known as The Aroma Academy.
Echoing similar views as Arsilica, Inc, The Aroma Academy, UK provides complete evaluation method education with training classes in diagnostic methods and procedures and the descriptive verbiage and vocabulary which are absolutely necessary to applied spirits evaluation. Supplementing their training, they have developed and produced character aroma kits to train serious evaluators to a high level of proficiency in aroma detection and identification. Their association with top spirits producers and educators is proof enough of their acceptance within the industry as a reputable source for evaluation products and training. Explore their informative website.
Additionally, Alan Gordon, CEO of The Aroma Academy, UK and SATS, outlines a professional evaluation method. (Guest Article)
Introduction
You bring your spirits glass to your nose and you enjoy the bouquet of the myriad aromas. You take a sip, swirl the flavorsome liquid in your mouth and swallow. The aromas and the flavors are so familiar, but how would you describe them? You know them! You recognize them! However, you cannot name them!
This is a problem that we encounter all over the world and is a scenario that is so common that, at the Aroma Academy, we have developed a term for it – we call it The Word Problem™ – and it represents the many moments when your brain is met with aroma or flavor signals that are very familiar and, yet, cannot be identified!
On reflection, this problem should not be a surprise as very few people ever give any consideration to their Sense of Smell, their appreciation of flavor, or undertake any training related to sensory ability. So, most people go through the same chaotic process when they nose or sample a spirit. They recognize a familiar aroma or flavor, cannot identify it and then proceed to randomly search their memory bank to attempt to recollect – usually in vain – some past event when they think that they may have encountered it before.
At the Aroma Academy, we aim to solve The Word Problem™ via a systematic and scientific approach which is actually very simple in concept and execution, yet, as with so many simple approaches, so rarely implemented.
Methodology
We have three key elements to our Sensory Skills development evaluation method; (1) Vocabulary, (2) Anchoring the vocabulary to standards, (3) Articulation.
With the methodology focused on the development of Aroma Recognition and grounded in the fact that the vast majority of the Flavor experience comes via the Sense of Smell – both ortho-nasal and retro-nasal – with additional contributions from the Sense of Taste, the Trigeminal Sense and the linked descriptor mouthfeel.’
Choice of Descriptor/Evaluation Vocabulary
It cannot be emphasised too strongly, that familiarization with the key Vocabulary terms for a drinks category is one of the foundation stones in the development of Sensory Skills and associated evaluation capability. The whole topic of Vocabulary is a key focus of our Sensory Training where we explore vocabulary terms, descriptors, groupings and tools for different drinks categories.
Development of Aroma Standards
Additionally, regardless of the Vocabulary Scheme, it is important to close the loop by having Standards that cover the terms. This is important for many reasons. Each person may interpret a Vocabulary term differently. Many readers may not have encountered an aroma or flavor referenced by a term. The presence of Aroma Standards enables us to make the following practical, unequivocal statement.
At the Aroma Academy, developing the aroma standards has driven most of our product development work. The standards should possess stability and repeatability. They must align with the alcohol beverage category and mirror the vocabulary term. The evaluation method enables sensory familiarization with the category standards. It occurs without interference from the stinging, numbing effect of concentrated alcohol.
The Individuality of Sensory Ability
No exploration of the development of Sensory Skills would be complete without reference to the individuality of Sensory Ability.’ It is not possible to review this subject in detail here, but there must be cognizance regarding this topic. Everyone is wired differently, so individuality adds complexity to the sensory world; sensory skills can be developed to identify flavors. Understanding individual strengths and weaknesses in sensory ability is important for our work with sensory panels. These panels are responsible for quality control in drinks producers. We note with interest that each individual experiences the world differently from everyone else.
Summary Notes regarding Aroma Academy
Additionally, Aroma Academy provides a series of Aroma Standards Sets. Additionally, Sensory Training programs and Competency/Testing Systems focus on the drinks industry. In addition, Sensory Training outlines a step-by-step method to develop aroma and flavor recognition skills. Most product development concentrates on stable, repeatable Standards for drinks like Whisky and Wine; moreover, it collaborates with industry experts. Many leading companies are in our customer base. They are active in aroma marketing in addition to our Sensory products and programs.
Additionally, Alan Gordon, is CEO and Co-Founder of Aroma Academy, UK
Summary: The Evaluation Method
The evaluation method involves study but will produce uniform repeatable evaluations of all spirits and they can be discussed in a universal language which ensures that experts and drinkers will have similar ideas of what to expect in every spirit based a proven methodology which echoes the regimen of true sensory science. Thank you, Alan, for your diligence in a field necessary to bring the industry into a new era of scientific reason and evaluation. Accordingly, Arsilica, Inc. supports your efforts. How NEAT works
