Whether you prefer to drink whiskey neat or mix it into a savory cocktail, we’ll make sure you learn how to best enjoy your whiskey.
Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from malt or grain mash, aged in wooden barrels, which contributes to its color and flavor. The grain can vary – you’ll drink whiskeys made with barley, wheat, corn, and rye. Drinkers value whiskey mostly for its diversity of flavors that range from fruity and light to smoky and rich. You should try different ages and styles to find your favorite whiskey!
“I don’t care if the glass is half empty or half full…as long as there’s whiskey in it.”
Straight whiskey
Choose a small glass tumbler, like a low-ball glass for your whiskey. You should use a tulip-shaped glass to enhance the flavor and scent. It’s best to pour a little whiskey, around 30-50 mL. You should try the whiskey pure before adding ice or water. This will give you a better understanding of its aroma and flavor, and you may like neat.
Smell your whiskey a few times before tasting it to sense its aroma, since the alcohol smell can be overpowering on the first smell. You’ll notice other aromas, like wood and spices. While smelling it, keep the mouth open to enhance your smell and taste. Don’t gulp it down – roll it in your mouth. You enjoy the whiskey the most if you sip it slowly instead of drinking it as a shot. You can enjoy the aftertaste – you’ll notice flavors like vanilla, toffee, or caramel.
Different types of whiskeys
- American whiskey is sweeter than other whiskeys. It has two subcategories:
Rye – distilled from rye and Bourbon – distilled from corn.
- Tennessee is bourbon filtered through charcoal and distilled in Tennessee.
- Canadian whiskey is fruity and light-bodied.
- Irish whiskey is light-bodied but stronger than Canadian whiskeys.
- Scotch whisky has earthy and smoky flavors. It has two subcategories: blended Scotch and single malt Scotch.
Whiskey cocktails
If you aren’t a fan of the taste of straight whiskey, or if you want a new way to enjoy your whiskey, we advise you to try the whiskey in a cocktail. We recommend a rye whiskey base for your cocktails due to their boldness and ability to maintain their taste in the mix.
The whiskey profile is diverse, so you can have fun experimenting with various flavors. For hot days, you can try something refreshing and light like Mint Julep. For this cocktail, you should use sweet bourbon. Try a Manhattan if you like a sweet/bitter combination.
And for the following rainy and cold days, you must warm up with the comforting drink Hot Toddy. It’s spicy and sweet and made with Irish whiskeys. But if you want a simple and sweet cocktail, you should try the Old Fashioned.
Pairing whiskey
Food pairing
Wondering what sort of food to serve at a whiskey party? Simple foods like cheese, chocolate, fruit, crackers, chips, pretzels, and pork ribs go well with the complex taste of the whiskey. These foods pair well because don’t overwhelm nor embitter the whiskey. Other options are fish and smoked meat.
Cigar pairing
You must experience the perfect world of cigars and whiskey. Powerful and full cigars work best with intense whiskey. Consider the profile of your favorite cigar and pair it with a whiskey of a similar profile.
Our favorite combination is Basil Hayden’s whiskey & Montecristo. The cigar has notes of coffee, cashews, and a dash of spice. This light-bodied whiskey with a satisfying and gentle finish nicely accompanies the creamy Montecristo profile.