The whiskey world is constantly evolving and expanding. But, if you’re new to this alcoholic beverage, you may not know where to start.
Whiskey (known as whisky in Scotland and Canada) is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash and aged in wood casks. These aging processes influence the spirit’s taste, aroma, and color.
Know Your Whiskey
The whiskey world can be a complex maze of different grains, flavors, distillation processes, and more. That’s why knowing your whiskey before you start drinking it is important!
You should also know your whiskey style to pick out the right drink for the right occasion. For example, if you’re drinking a whiskey on the rocks and want a smooth taste, choose one aged in casks for a long time.
Likewise, if you’re enjoying a whiskey neat and want to taste it without diluting it, choose a glass with a limited surface area. This will help you experience your whiskey’s full flavor and avoid any ice cubes from dulling its taste.
Whiskeys with flavors like those sold at internet retailers like curiada.com, are also gaining popularity. Because they flavor their original whiskies with sweets and other ingredients, these whiskeys are frequently called liqueurs.
A few distillers have mastered infusing their whiskeys with flavors like cinnamon, apple, and honey. These infused spirits offer a different twist to the original flavors of bourbon and rye.
If you’re a casual whiskey drinker, you may be interested in learning how to enjoy it correctly. While there are many ways to enjoy whiskey, here are four tips to help you become a seasoned whiskey drinker.
Know Your Glass
The right glassware will help amplify your whiskey experience and allow you to enjoy it in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible. Whether you’re drinking a single dram or a cocktail, your glass can distinguish between an okay bourbon and a great one.
There are many types of glasses for whiskey, each with its benefits and drawbacks. But the most important thing is to find the type of whiskey glass that works best for you.
When choosing glass, look for appearance and feel, drinkability, and the ability to concentrate aromas. The appearance and feel of your glass should be solid, well-balanced in your hand, and made from quality material. The drinkability of your glass should be easy to hold and a pleasure to sip from, especially when drinking whiskey.
Another thing to consider is the shape of your glass. While a thick rim encourages chugging, a thinner rim can help you inhale the aroma without burning your nose and causing it to sting.
If you’re a beginner, consider trying a tulip-shaped glass. They’re designed for tastings, so they funnel aromas into your nose and let you experience the scent of the dram as soon as it hits your tongue.
This type of glass was specifically designed in conjunction with the Canadian whisky industry to enhance your savoring experience. It’s also ideal for serving larger pours of whiskey simultaneously, as the wider mouth allows room for ice or whiskey stones.
As with all glassware, keeping your glass in good condition is important. It’s a good idea to wash your glasses in warm soapy water and wipe them clean with a lint-free cloth.
Know Your Food Pairings
If you are new to craft whiskey, knowing how to enjoy a good dram properly can be difficult. You might wonder if you should drink it neat or on the rocks, with water or without, or if it should be in a cocktail.
Like a good bottle of wine, a great whiskey should be enjoyed how you prefer. But some important scientific facts should be considered before deciding how to enjoy it.
The most important of these is that you should not throw back your whiskey like you might slug a beer. This would be a bad idea because it doesn’t allow you to properly appreciate the subtle and bold flavors poured into each dram.
Another critical point is to be careful when putting water into your whiskey. Adding water can open up the congeners and fusel alcohols in your dram, contributing to its flavor. This can change the taste and make your whiskey less enjoyable.
Know Your Ingredients
Knowing your ingredients is important whether you’re a whiskey connoisseur or a novice. It helps you to identify, appreciate and savor the flavor of your drink.
Whiskey has three main components: grains, yeast, and water. These are all used to create a unique taste for each whiskey. Then there are the different types of barrels used for aging, the climatic conditions of the area where they age, and other factors that influence the final flavor.
Rye and wheat are two of the main grains used to make whisky. Each has a particular profile, so learning what a specific grain will do to your whisky can help you narrow your options and find the best whiskey.
Many small distilleries will proudly tell you exactly what’s in their product, including the type of grains they use and the percentage of each. They’re also willing to explain the process behind each expression.
As a result, there is a lot of transparency within the industry. This has become particularly important to whiskey fans, as they can easily compare a new batch of craft spirits with a similar aged product from a legacy producer.
