The world of whisk(e)y can seem like a daunting one at first. There’s so much to choose from. American, Canadian, Irish, Scottish and more. But when it comes to #Scotch #whisky, there’s an even more daunting prospect that many people encounter. That happens to be the way they’ve been told that they should enjoy it.
There’s a very common stigma out there in the world of Scotch; The best and only way to drink scotch whisky is neat. Pour yourself a healthy #dram, enjoy the nose and then take a sip while you let the different flavors roll over your tongue. I have to admit that I enjoy doing this myself. You can take it slow, smell the whisky time and time again, try a second sip to see what new flavors you’ve discovered. You’ll continue to explore #Scotland right within your glass. By doing this, you experience the scotch in its “pure” form. It’s a great way to enjoy scotch. However, that’s about where I have to stop agreeing with scotch purists because it’s definitely not the only way.
Whisky is to be enjoyed, there’s no doubt about that. And as the guys over at Whisk(ey) Vault say, the best way to drink whisky is to drink it the way you enjoy it.
The next time you pour yourself a dram, try this on for size. First enjoy the nose and take a small sip of it neat. See what you think. This step might be difficult for people that aren’t used to drinking whisky on its own. Many people find themselves unable to taste the flavour notes behind the burn of a 40%+ whisky. Next, add a drop or two of water. By doing this, you’ll reduce the alcohol percentage and the burn, which in turn opens up more of the notes within the scotch. For your next sip, add a bit more water and continue to see how the flavours open up more and more. You’ll notice new things with every sip.
Of course, this still is not the “best way” to enjoy scotch. There is no best way. As a good friend of mine told me, many people need a point of reference for what they enjoy. If the only way you’ve ever enjoyed whisky is with coke, then you won’t be able to tell if you enjoy a new whisky by drinking it neat. Pour yourself a tall glass of coke with your new whisky and don’t let anyone tell you that it’s wrong. If you’ve got the budget to enjoy Glenfiddich 18 and coke, you do you.
At the end of the day, enjoy your whisky the way you like it and let others do the same. Don’t scare away new fans of scotch by telling them what they’re doing is wrong. Every person that becomes a fan of scotch means continued success for our favourite distilleries. When the distilleries are successful, they can keep creating amazing scotch whisky and are able to deliver new products and experiences for us. That’s what’s most important. Don’t be scared to try something new. You might discover a new favourite.
Today’s drink suggestion: 1oz #Glenfiddich 12 and sparkling water in a highball with ice.
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