Conducting a Proper Blind Tasting (With Results)

Posted by Tom Wark on Oct 1, 2014

The key to conducting any “taste-off” or comparison tasting is creating a rigorous process so that as many factors that might lead to bias are filtered out of the effort and the results.

Because our tasting process for this comparison of different beverages was in fact rigorous and as finely tuned as possible, it can be said with a high degree of confidence that the results should prove a tremendously helpful guide for those 4 month-olds seeking out a beverage that will please them best.

The Tasting Included:
-2014 Diet Pepsi
-1994 William Selyem Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir
-2014 Enfomil Infant Formula
-2013 Eden Windfall Orchard Ice Cider
-2014 Tap Water
-Bud Light (can) *

The Tasting Process
-Double Blind: The participant knew neither the drink nor the brand
-All sips were taken from the same index finger of the critic’s father
-Critic’s reactions were carefully recorded.

Evaluation Process
-Brow furrowing carefully recorded (considered a negative)
-Smiles carefully recorded
-Hands out-reached carefully recorded
-Brow uplifts carefully recorded

THE RESULTS

2014 Diet Pepsi
Henry reacted with two brow uplifts, indicating a pleasing texture. The single instance of hand out-reach indicated an attractive set of flavors. However, toward the end of his evaluation, a single brow furrow indicated a short finish on the drink.

1994 William Selyem Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir
An initial furrow of the brow indicated a disappointment in the wine’s thinning texture. However, two smiles immediately following the furrow confirmed the impressive flavors still existing in this classic bottling. The two subsequent hand outreaches indicated an impressive finish

Enfomil Infant Formula
An initial brow uplift, followed by a half-smile, then a brow furrow and finally a partial hand outreach, meaning that while the drink was pleasing, it was not compelling.

2013 Eden Windfall Orchard Ice Cider
Henry’s immediate smile delivered the view that palate attack was impressive. However, this was followed up by a brief brow furrow, though this was not the last word. Immediately upon furrowing, Henry executed a forceful hand outreach, indicating a very pleasing finish.

2014 Tap Water
Following and initial partial smile, Henry delivered a distinct brow furrowing, followed a feeble brow uplift, indicating a drink of some substance, but with no depth or real complexity.

THE VERDICT

1st Place: 1994 William Selyem Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir

2nd Place: 2014 Diet Pepsi

3rd Place: 2013 Eden Windfall Orchard Ice Cider

4th Place: 2013 Enfomil Infant Formula

5th Place: 2014 Tap Water

The 1994 William Selyem Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir was the clear winner in this tasting, with the 2014 Diet Pepsi coming in a respectable second. Though the results were obtained though a rigorous tasting process and with detailed notes, it must be noted that despite the clear conclusions, it cannot be said that all four month-old people will come to the same conclusions. However, as a guide to quality, this tasting can serve an important purpose.
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*Henry fell asleep before being able to taste the Bud Light (can).