Scotch is whiskey made in Scotland, usually from malted barley. Bourbon is whiskey made in the United States, usually from corn. Rye whiskey is made from at least 51% rye. Single malt whiskey is whiskey created at a single distillery, though the distiller may combine whiskeys from many different casks to achieve the desired taste. Blended malt whiskey is whiskey made from the products of multiple distilleries. Single cask whiskey is whiskey is produced from one individual cask at a single distillery location.
Neat: This is a way to order whiskey meaning it is served without any ice, water, or mixer. It also means it will be served at room temperature, not chilled. On the rocks: This is a way to order whiskey meaning it is served with ice cubes.
Put your nose actually inside the glass to get the best angle for smelling. This will help you fully appreciate the range of the bouquet.
Once you have tried the whiskey unaltered, try cutting it with a dropper full of water. The water will bring out different flavors and aromas that complicate the tasting.
Cask: A cask is an oak barrel that the whiskey is stored in while it ages in the distillery. Most whiskeys are aged for at least three years in a cask, while others age for longer periods of time (even as much as 25 years). Proof: This basically indicates the amount of alcohol in a particular whiskey, or how strong the drink is. The number corresponds to twice the amount of alcohol content by volume. For example, a whiskey that is 60% alcohol would be 120-proof. The larger the number, the stronger the drink will be. Maturation: This is the amount of time that the whiskey is left in the wooden cask to age (or mature).
Some of the most popular whiskey brands include Bell’s, Ballantine’s, Black Velvet, Dewar’s, Crown Royal, Jameson, Suntory, and Glenfiddich.
Scotland: Laphroaig, Glenfiddich, Bunnahabhain Ireland: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Bushmills United States: Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, Wild Turkey Japan: Nikka, Yamazaki, Hakushu
In general, it’s probably true that older whiskeys taste better (and are more expensive) than younger whiskeys because of the greater length of time that was spent aging the liquor. However, this isn’t true across the board. Many people say that 8-9 years is the best age for most whiskeys. If the whiskey is aged too long, it can take on too much flavor from the wood and become bitter.
These events usually aren’t free, but it’s often a good value for the money. Check your local bars for any information about upcoming events. You might even want to consider hosting your own whiskey tasting for you and your friends. You could also consider taking a trip to visit a distillery, which is highly recommended if you want to learn more about whiskey. [8] X Research source
If you’re ordering in a bar, just ask for a whiskey sour. You can even specify what kind of whiskey you’d like.
This is one of the most classic and highly regarded mixed cocktail drinks in the alcohol world. You can’t go wrong ordering a drink like this.
If you’re ordering in a bar, simply ask for a whiskey and Coke. Don’t forget to tell the bartender what kind of whiskey you’d like if you have a preference. Of course, this will detract from the pure taste of the whiskey, so it’s probably best not to use super expensive whiskey if you’re going to add Coke to it.
In bartender lingo, a dash equals a few drops. So 2 dashes would equal approximately 4-6 drops of Angostura aromatic bitters. Note that a Manhattan can be bitter.
There are thousands of cocktail recipes that include whiskey as the main ingredient. Try making a few different kinds to find one that you love. Or order some varieties at your local bar.
