By Defessus Lector. Bardus, The method by which an alchemist learns the traits of various reagents is by tasting them. The key word here is "taste"—there is no need to consume more than a single portion of a reagent, even if you find it appealing. And, based on what the seneschal tells me about your visit to your father's cellar, you've already determined that common liquors do not possess alchemical traits, even if consumed in quantity.