How you drink whisky is, of course, a matter of taste and preference. However, there are a number of considerations to take into account before taking the plunge. A good starting point for drinking whisky is a bit of background knowledge about the popular spirit. The major whisky producing nations include Scotland, Ireland, the USA and Japan. Common to their whisky production is that the part of the process that has the most influence on the final flavor result of the whisky is maturation in oak casks. This maturation is responsible for at least 70% of the final taste result, giving the whisky the familiar oak flavor and golden color of the drops. The unique thing about oak maturation is that no two oak casks mature the whisky in the same way. If you want to know something about the whisky you're drinking, it's a good idea to get acquainted with the terms single malt, vatted malt and double malt. Single malt whisky comes from a single distillery. It is often relatively expensive and is typically associated with quality brands. Vatted malt whisky is made from a blend of different whiskies from at least two distilleries, and often more. This is to achieve a type of whisky that tastes roughly the same in every bottle. A vatted malt whisky is a more affordable alternative to a single malt whisky. Double malt is whisky from two different distilleries. Here you will usually be told which distilleries are used and why these whiskies are blended.
When drinking
whisky
If you want to learn how to drink whisky, it is a good idea to find out how the spirit looks best. For example, you can add a little water to your glass of whisky. During production, whisky is already infused with water, but adding a little more can bring out the natural scent and flavor of the whisky. However, you should only add a few drops at a time, as just a few drops can radically change the flavor of the whisky. Spring water is preferable, as tap water can be too chlorinated. If you choose to add water to your whisky, it should be in liquid form. Ice is not beneficial to the whisky flavor. When ice is added, the temperature is lowered and both the taste and aroma of the whisky fade. For some, ice is preferable as it neutralizes the whisky flavour slightly. However, you should be aware that in a whisky without added ice, you can experience much better and more distinct flavors and aromas.
Whisky is often blended with soda, ginger ale and the like. Some types of blended whisky, such as
Johnnie Walkerare perfectly suited to be mixed with other beverages. However, if it's a good bottle of single malt, which is far more refined than a blended whisky, it should be enjoyed neat. When drinking whisky, it is often from a thick-bottomed glass called a '
tumbler'. This glass is often referred to by many as the traditional whisky glass and is especially useful if you want to mix your whisky with water, ice cubes or other beverages. If you're drinking high-quality single malt whisky, consider drinking from the tulip-shaped glass instead,
Glencairnwhich is easy to heat and rotate without spilling.
