Neat, on the rocks, watered or mixed.
There are a lot of opinions on how to drink whisky. Some of these opinions are traditionalist; others based upon regional habits and customs, others on fashion and trends. But is there one true and proper way?
How should you drink your whisky? There are a lot of opinions on how to drink whisky.
Some of these opinions are traditionalist; others based upon regional habits and customs, others on fashion and trends. But is there one true and proper way? Well, let’s start by saying that there is no one right way to drink whisky…except the way that you enjoy the most. Like most choices in life, personal taste is usually the most influential factor. However, the way you prefer the taste of your whisky can significantly influence the type and brand of whisky you buy.
Well, let’s start by saying that there is no one right way to drink whisky…except the way that you enjoy the most. Like most choices in life, personal taste is usually the most influential factor.
However, the way you prefer the taste of your whisky can significantly influence the type and brand of whisky you buy.
To help you better appreciate the four ways to drink whisky, we want to provide you with some insights into what happens to a whisky when it is introduced to other liquids.
Just one other thing before we start, our whiskies are exactingly made by hand to ensure a very specific taste and performance parameters for each of our products. We design them to be enjoyed pure and at room temperature. Therefore, while we all enjoy whisky cocktails and experimenting with adding water to some cask strength whiskies, we do not and would not recommend doing so with our whiskies.
NEAT
Whisky neat is just room temperature whisky in a glass, nothing else. To drink whisky neat, pour two fingers of whisky into a tulip glass. The whisky is served at room temperature. This allows the full range of aromas to be released into the glass and the array of flavours to be deployed in your mouth and nose while drinking and after swallowing.
ON THE ROCKS
“On the rocks” means you add ice to your whisky. If you prefer your whisky chilled slightly, we recommend that you make your own ice cubes from distilled or spring water to avoid the chlorine found in tap water. When drinking your whisky on the rocks, keep a dish and spoon next to your glass so you can remove the ice once the whisky is cold and watered to your liking. Remember that the ice will dilute your whisky as it melts so only add one cube.
WHISKY AND WATER
Adding a small amount of spring or distilled water to whisky essentially lowers the alcohol by volume (ABV). The water dilutes the whisky slightly so that you can enjoy the flavours without feeling like the alcohol is burning your tongue. However, it also affects the flavours and characteristics of the whisky. Generally, water tends to suppress a whisky’s spicy notes and exaggerate the fruity flavours.
Remember that drinking whisky on the rocks or with water will change the equilibrium of compounds in the whisky changing its flavour, and once the equilibrium has changed, you cannot go back to the original taste.
WHISKY COCKTAILS
Finally, the cocktails. This is a great way to enjoy low to mid-range whiskies, both blended and malts that aren’t to your preferred taste.
There are more types of whisky cocktails than we care to think about, and you can be sure that there are more than a few that you will find absolutely wonderful. Experimentation, exchanging experiences, and an adventurous spirit will take you along and pleasurable journey down the cocktail path. Cocktails are a great way of extending your enjoyment of whisky but remember not to lose touch with the real thing, as in the end, pure whisky offers an even more complex, fascinating and pleasurable path to explore.
WHISKY COCKTAILS
Finally, the cocktails. This is a great way to enjoy low to mid-range whiskies, both blended and malts that aren’t to your preferred taste.
There are more types of whisky cocktails than we care to think about, and you can be sure that there are more than a few that you will find absolutely wonderful. Experimentation, exchanging experiences, and an adventurous spirit will take you along and pleasurable journey down the cocktail path. Cocktails are a great way of extending your enjoyment of whisky but remember not to lose touch with the real thing, as in the end, pure whisky offers an even more complex, fascinating and pleasurable path to explore.
As mentioned, our whisky isn’t intended for use in cocktails. However for those Old Fashioned lovers out there, you can, of course, use our whisky, or if you are looking for something a bit different, we recommend trying one of our recipes using one of our other barrel-aged fine spirits.
THE TAKE-AWAY
Enjoying whisky is wholly subjective, and the best way to drink whisky is the one that you prefer. Some whiskies are designed to be enjoyed neat and at room temperature, others to be activated with water, while cheaper whiskies are ideal as a cocktail base. Each whisky has a story and a unique characteristic. We recommend that you start by doing some research into the bottle you have in front of you or the one you intend to buy. Get to know what it is all about, why it was made the way it was and how to get the most out of it. In this way, you will get the full potential, performance and pleasure out of every bottle you buy.