12 aromas - Bourbon Kit

The 12 Aromas Bourbon Kit offers a structured journey into the aromatic complexity of bourbon and American whiskey. Designed by Le Nez du Bourbon, this kit bridges craftsmanship, history, and sensory science. Each vial encapsulates a distinct aroma compound that defines the character of the spirit, helping learners recognize and describe the sensory profile of America’s most iconic beverage.

Included in this collection:

1. Honey
2. Rose
3. Tobacco leaf
4. Cherry
5. Orange
6. Oak
7. Toasted almond
8. Caramel
9. Vanilla
10. Cinnamon
11. Mint
12. Black pepper

These aromas are organized on the companion American Whiskey Aroma Wheel, developed to help users identify and categorize bourbon’s complex notes. The wheel structures each scent family are sweet, fruity, floral, woody, and spicy into a visual reference that simplifies recognition and recall.

Each vial is handmade in France using stable aromatic compounds. The aromas are guaranteed for five years and can last up to ten when stored properly, ensuring reliability for long-term use in both professional and educational settings. Learners who wish to expand their foundational study can complement this kit with the Le Nez Du Vin 54 Aromas Master Kit to compare wine and whiskey sensory methods side by side.

The bourbon aroma kit was created for anyone who seeks to understand American whiskey through sensory experience. It functions as a technical learning tool, teaching users how to connect aroma perception with production methods, maturation conditions, and raw materials.

For whiskey professionals, the kit supports advanced sensory calibration. It helps distillers, blenders, and tasters identify the influence of ingredients, fermentation, and barrel aging on aroma formation.

For educators, it provides a reliable teaching framework for courses on whiskey appreciation, sensory science, or spirits production. Each aroma corresponds to a category on the whiskey aroma wheel, allowing instructors to design progressive tasting sessions.

For enthusiasts, it transforms bourbon tasting into a structured exploration. By isolating specific aromas, users develop a more precise vocabulary for describing whiskey character and quality.

The accompanying illustrated book complements this learning process. It includes detailed explanations of bourbon’s origin, definitions such as “straight whiskey” and “sour mash,” and the impact of oak species (Quercus alba) on flavor development.

The Le Nez du Bourbon experience is not limited to aroma recognition. It is a complete journey through the history and culture of American whiskey, blending storytelling with sensory education.

The book features a foreword by Chris Morris, master distiller at Woodford Reserve, who developed the American Whiskey Aroma Wheel more than two decades ago. His insights introduce the importance of aroma classification in whiskey evaluation, linking distillation science with sensory art.

Renowned whiskey journalists Hans and Becky Offringa, known as The Whisky Couple, contribute chapters that trace the history of American whiskey. They cover everything from early distillation techniques to the rise of Kentucky bourbon, the impact of Prohibition, and the modern craft distillery movement.

An impressive map of 122 distilleries across the United States completes the book, listing producers by their dominant aroma families. This geographic and aromatic overview helps readers understand how regional differences influence whiskey style.

Each section connects directly to the aromas in the kit, providing both cultural context and scientific explanation. 

The twelve aromas in the bourbon aroma kit are grouped into categories that reflect the balance of sweetness, spice, fruit, and wood typical of American whiskey.

Sweet and Nutty Family

• Honey, caramel, toasted almond, vanilla.

        These aromas represent the influence of corn and the caramelization of sugars during barrel aging.

Fruity and Floral Family

• Cherry, orange, rose.

         These notes highlight ester formation during fermentation and distillation.

Woody and Spicy Family

• Oak, tobacco leaf, cinnamon, black pepper, mint.

         These derive from the charring of American oak barrels and the interaction between spirit and wood compounds such as lignin and tannin.

Understanding these aroma families helps tasters identify the sensory profile of specific bourbons, from soft and sweet to robust and spicy. By referencing the aroma wheel, users can visualize how flavors interconnect, forming a structured approach to analysis.

The Le Nez du Bourbon book combines historical storytelling with modern sensory science. It explores how raw materials and production choices affect aroma development:

• The selection of grains (corn, rye, barley).
• The fermentation and distillation process.
• Barrel aging and wood chemistry.

It explains chemical transformations that occur as spirits age, such as the conversion of lignin to vanillin and the formation of phenolic compounds responsible for smoky or spicy notes.

Beyond science, the book immerses readers in the narrative of American whiskey, the craftsmanship of distillers, the resilience of the industry during Prohibition, and the resurgence of small-batch producers. Each chapter connects emotion and expertise, illustrating why bourbon is both a cultural icon and a technical art.

The bourbon aroma kit serves professionals, educators, and enthusiasts who want to train their sense of smell for whiskey analysis.

Recommended users include:

• Distillers and sensory scientists studying whiskey composition.
• Educators conducting workshops on whiskey appreciation.
• Sommeliers expanding into spirits education.
• Enthusiasts developing a precise tasting vocabulary.

Its compact design makes it ideal for personal study or professional demonstrations. With twelve key references, it provides a focused yet complete foundation for sensory understanding of bourbon.

Each aroma vial is handmade in France, ensuring consistent quality and stability. The formulations are guaranteed for five years and can remain accurate for a decade when stored properly.

This level of craftsmanship makes the kit a long-term educational investment. It reflects the brand’s commitment to precision, authenticity, durability, and essential traits for professional training tools.

The 12 Aromas Bourbon Kit distills the spirit of American whiskey into a precise, educational, and inspiring sensory experience. It combines science, history, and craftsmanship into one unified learning platform.

By connecting aroma recognition with production knowledge, users gain the ability to evaluate bourbon with both analytical and cultural understanding. From the sweetness of honey to the spice of black pepper, each aroma tells part of the bourbon story, one rooted in heritage, craft, and passion. Learners looking to broaden their aroma mastery can continue their journey with the 114 Aroma Life Collection, which expands training across wine and coffee sensory disciplines.

This collection transforms appreciation into expertise, guiding learners toward true sensory literacy in the world of American whiskey.