Different Types Of Whisky
Whisky, like wine, is extremely diverse in its flavour, colour, smoothness, and aroma all of which is subject to where and how it is made. With varying flavour profiles, it appeals to a wide range of palates. Whisky can be categorised by region , by grain , its age , and by the process before bottling .
Choose Your Whiskey Glass
The glass you choose may depend on how you choose to drink it. For example, if you want to sip it neat or over ice, you have a couple of options. The Glencairn glass is long and wide at the bottom, designed to enhance the aromas and flavors of whiskey. It was actually created for Scotch drinkers, but it can be used for any whiskey. You could also use a tumbler- a short glass with a heavy bottom. This is the glass you commonly see being used in movies and TV shows. Finally, for a cocktail, youll want to use a tall, slim, straight-sided glass called a highball.
Top Spots For Whisky In Singapore
Singapore is home to some of Asias best whisky bars, so its the perfect place for a whisky flight, whatever your expertise level. The Auld Alliance at Rendezvous Hotel Singapore is a must-visit destination for any whisky lover their comprehensive collection of over 1,000 bottles consists of some of the worlds oldest, rarest and most interesting whiskies. Around the corner, in the historic enclave of CHIJMES, youll find The Single Cask, a bar that highlights lesser-known, independent and family-owned names and has a number of exclusive bottlings. Finally, stop by La Maison du Whisky, one of the worlds great retailers of fine spirits, whose store doubles up as a bar. Sample from their extensive range from around the world, then buy your favourite bottle to take home with you.
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Single Malt Vs Blended
Single malt Scotch whiskies are produced entirely from malted barley using a pot still and aged in oak barrels all at a single distillery. Blended whiskies, as the name suggests, typically use single malts from multiple distilleries, along with single grain whiskies. Grain whiskies can be produced with other forms of grain apart from barley such as wheat, rye and corn and are usually made with a column still.
A Beginners Guide To Appreciating Bourbon Whiskey Wild
How to Drink Bourbon: Straight or Blended, says Williams.Ice will chill the bourbon and add a bit of water as the ice melts, Aroma is a huge part of your bourbon experience, this seems less like Elijah Craig is the perfect bourbon for this drink and more like someone claimed it first and then a bunch of blogs echoed that first one.
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Whiskey Cocktails You Can Use As Training Wheels
Not everyone is ready to get into drinking whiskey straight – like we said before, it’s an acquired taste for some. One way to acquire that taste is to try out some whiskey cocktails before you start enjoying it all by its lonesome.
Here are some of the usual suspects:
Old Fashioned – Made with bourbon and muddled sugar and bitters. Usually garnished with an orange peel and served with a large ice cube. This is a true classic, and a great introduction to drinking whiskey.
Manhattan – Along with the Old Fashioned, this is another classic. Made with whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, it’s typically garnished with a maraschino cherry. It’s usually made with rye whiskey, but Canadian, Bourbon and Tennessee whiskeys can be used in a pinch.
Whiskey Sour – Definitely your pick if you’re struggling to drink the hard stuff. Whiskey Sours are made with Bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and usually garnished with an orange wheel and a cherry.
Highball – This too would make whiskey purists upset. A highball is very simple: whiskey and a soft drink. Usually whiskey drinkers go for ginger ale or coke, though it really depends on your taste buds.
Whiskey and Water – Try your favorite type of water with a splash of water or half a glass. This is sacrilege to some, but it’ll get you used to the taste more quickly than drinking the usual whiskey cocktails.
Whats The Difference Between Bourbon & Whiskey
While the two liquors may look and taste similarly, there are some specific distinctions that separate the two. While all bourbons can be classified as whiskeys, the reverse isnt always the case. For a whiskey to qualify as a bourbon too, the whiskey must be produced in the U.S., the mixture of grains used to distill the product must contain at least 51% corn, distilled to 160 proof or less, and then enter new, charred oak barrels for aging at 125 proof or higher. Jack Daniels, for example, qualifies as a bourbon but is more accurately considered a Tennessee whiskey because of the extra step of filtering the distillate through charcoal. Specifically, Jack Daniels Tennessee whiskey is mellowed through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal to soften its flavor.
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This Is The Correct Way To Drink Whiskey
The correct way to drink whiskey is one of the most contentious and debated topics amongst drinkers and people most can be categorised into two camps: people who drink it straight up , and those who add a splash of water. Yes, water, NOT ice. Do not be tricked by the tantalising image below! For a true whiskey purist, ice and other mixers destroy the aroma and flavour so avoid ordering it on the rocks or with a soda if youre in a serious whiskey establishment in the UK. When it comes to professional tastings, the experts drink whiskey with water in it. Just a dash opens the flavours of the spirit.
If you dont name a particular brand when ordering, youll likely be asked two questions: what kind you want and what price range youre after. Usually there will be a whiskey menu if you want to check, but top-shelf will usually the highest quality and most expensive. No good whiskey-loving bartender will be annoyed if you ask for a recommendation and if you really have no clue, order from the bottle that looks the most emptyits probably the most popular.
How To Drink Whiskey: Info And Tips For Beginners
To some people, drinking whiskey with style is an art. To others, it is a refreshing glass at the end of the workday.
Regardless of your perspective, there are a few basic guidelines to follow that will heighten the drinking experience.
If you are a beginner and are wondering how to drink whiskey to get the most out of the experience, you have come to the right place. This guide will cover topics such as choosing glassware and how to take your first sip.
We will also discuss how to pour a glass and whether you should take it straight or neat, and what the difference between those two is.
Not only are there basic rules of drinking etiquette, but there are a number of factors that will heighten the taste of a glass of whiskey. Lets dive into it.
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Drinking Whiskey May Lower Your Risk Of Dementia And Alzheimer’s
It seems drinking whiskey can do a person’s brain some good in the long-term. A study coming out of Boston concluded that drinking one to six drinks each week might actually lower the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s among older adults. This combined with a healthy lifestyle, of course.
“Although there is no surefire way to completely prevent dementia, the best current evidence indicates that as well as only drinking in moderation, staying physically and mentally active, eating a healthy balanced diet, not smoking, and keeping weight, cholesterol and blood pressure in check are all good ways to support a healthy brain as we age,” Dr. Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research U.K., told BBC News.
On the other hand, various studies have shown that drinking too much alcohol like whiskey can cause the complete opposite effect , so we better stick to enjoying a glass only six days a week at most like the study suggests! In our opinion, Mondays should definitely be one of those days.
Exhale Before You Drink
When your pour whiskey into your glass, you should not drink it immediately. Instead, you should exhale deeply before you take a sip. When you inhale as you drink, the alcohol vapors will hit the nerves and mucus membranes of the nasal passage, thus causing a burning sensation. But when you exhale first, you will completely avoid this situation and reduce the fiery sensation. To do this, you should first exhale a bit, sip your whiskey and then leave some air in your lungs. After you swallow the whiskey, you should then exhale the rest of the air. With this approach, you may start to notice and enjoy the flavors and aromas present in your whiskey.
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If You Drink Whiskey Every Day You May Ease Stress And Anxiety
“I need a drink,” is something many people are guilty of saying after a long day at the office or perhaps after an unnecessarily stressful family reunion. Whiskey is a depressant, which means it slows down a person’s central nervous system . This is what makes a smooth glass of whiskey provide soothing relief after a hard day, and let’s face it: Today’s world is more of an anxiety-ridden society than ever before, so it’s important to be smart about ways to deal with stress.
According to a study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research in 2006, 20 percent of those with social anxiety disorder have also created a negative form of dependence on alcohol. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says heavy drinking includes eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men. So, if you drink whiskey every night, you may feel calmer, but be sure not to overdo it.
How To Drink Bourbon: Everything You Need To Know
Wondering how to drink bourbon?
The first thing you need to know is there isnt a one-size-fits-all answer.
The best way to drink bourbon completely depends on the setting and your palate.
Do you like the taste of bourbon?
Are you trying to acquire a taste for bo
urbon?
Are you drinking with a bunch of bourbon connoisseurs?
Or just casually with friends?
The best answer depends on your answers.
Because if youve never really had bourbon before, youre going to hate it.
Just being honest
And if youre drinking with bourbon lovers, theyre probably gonna make fun of you if you try to make a cocktail that isnt an old fashioned.
So, its critical to know the unspoken rules of bourbon drinking and your options if you arent used to the punch-you-in-the-face taste yet.
Thats exactly what Ill show you in this straightforward guide.
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Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
Adding ice to Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, served with a square of dark chocolate on the side, is probably one of the best life hacks for those who love whiskey.
Its like having an exquisite dessert wine with notes/flavors of vanilla custard, deep caramel, a curl of pipe tobacco, a hint of spearmint, and deep caramel.
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How To Drink Whiskey Like A Professional
Mark Twain once quipped, Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.
Thats truer now than ever. Inspired by distilling technology medieval monks brought to Irelandthe first recorded mention of the spirit was in an Irish history book from 1405whiskey recently replaced vodka as the top-selling spirit in the U.S. And its popularity continues to grow. Were in the middle of whiskeys golden age, with more brands and varieties available than ever before, says spirits expert Noah Rothbaum, author of The Art of American Whiskey.
One of the best ways to enjoy the trendand educate your palette in the processis to try a whiskey flight, he says: Wine lovers have been doing back-to-back comparisons for decades, but the whiskey flight is fairly new. With that, we asked Rothbaum to create three custom flights to try at home with friends, each progressing in flavor and complexity.
But before you even think of lifting a glass, here are the basic tasting rules to follow to get the most out of each sip:
1. Pour lightly
Dont fill your glassyou want an ounce or two at most.
2. Swirl the whiskey
So it coats the glass, then breathe deeply with your nose about an inch from the liquid. Open your mouth as you inhale to let the alcohol fumes escape so you can better discern other flavor notes.
3. Add a splash of water to your glass
4. Chew your drink
5. Breathe through your nose
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more,
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The 5 Main Types Of Bourbon Glasses And Why Your Choice Matters
1. Glencairn
Best for Tasting
These glasses were designed back in 2001 with the sole intent of creating the ideal glass for drinking whiskey.
With the Glencairn, the shape of the glass directs the aroma of the bourbon into your nose at the same time as the first sip hits your tongue, making it easier to identify and enjoy the nose of the spirit.
2. Tulip
Best for tasting
Like the Glencairn glass, the tulip-shaped glass is also appropriate for tasting bourbon.
The slightly narrowed rim and bowl shape concentrate bourbons aroma, and the long stem keeps your hands at a distance. However, you can also cradle the glass if you choose.
3. Rocks
Best for bourbon cocktails
This is the most common type of whiskey glass. Its also known by other names: Old Fashioned, Lowball, and Tumbler.
With its wide rim, solid base, and straight sides, this glass type is ideal for mixed cocktails.
Isnt all ice clear, you ask?
Not this clear.
When you make ice the conventional wayputting an ice tray with tap water into the freezerits usually white and cloudy.
This is because of mineral impurities and air bubbles that cause light to be dispersed through the small ice cubes.
How does this impact your bourbon drinking experience?
It melts quickly and dilutes the bourbon .
But large blocks of clear ice melt slower, and when they do melt, there arent any impurities from the ice in your bourbon.
If you want to read more about the science behind clear ice and how to make it, .
If You Drink Whiskey Every Night You Will Build Up Your Tolerance To Alcohol So Moderation Is Key
Drinking whiskey in moderation is the key to gaining its benefits, but what exactly does “moderation” mean? According to Harvard University, this is one drink daily for women and no more than two for men. However, one drink does not mean filling a glass to the brim with some smooth Tennessee whiskey . Rather, one glass is 1.5 ounces.
Over time, though, one glass of whiskey each evening can make a person feel differently than before. Building up a tolerance to alcohol can be dangerous because it can cause over-drinking, and, over time, the liver learns how to more easily and quickly break down the alcohol in a person’s system.
The brain has a similar reaction. It will literally alter itself and adjust to handling alcohol so well that a person will no longer have any of those loopy effects people may have felt when they had their first drink. And, when it comes to drinking too much, your brain will never be the same. “The system is forever changed,” director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, George F. Koob, Ph.D., told HuffPost.
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Now Youre Ready To Drink Whiskey Properly
Now that youve got the low-down on everything whiskey, youll be able to impress all of your buddies next time you take on the town or crack open a bottle of your finest. Heres to you!
PS: Want to get your hands on some top quality, personalized whiskey paraphernalia?
Check out Swanky Badger for an awesome range of personalized whiskey decanters, whiskey glasses and hip flasks. Great for gifts, or for sprucing up your ever-growing home bar.
Drink Irish Whiskey Neat
Beyond learning the theory, tasting neat remains the best method for understanding Irish whiskey. With its range of styles, the category offers something for everyone.
Newcomers can turn to blends and single grain whiskeys, owing to their softer, more neutral flavor profiles, Mulvany says. Meanwhile, Scotch drinkers can discover something pleasantly familiar in Irish single malts, while Cognac and bourbon drinkers can look to single pot still whiskeys for a richer, more decadent experience.
Sit down and try them all, and see which one you like best, Mulvany says. Then after singling out one style for further exploration, level up.
Taste multiple age statements from a single producer to appreciate the influence of time and the evolution whiskey undergoes with every added year in cask. Alternatively, explore different examples of the same style of whiskey from multiple distilleries, and become familiar with cask-finished expressions, which spend a final period resting in former sherry, red wine, or other spirits barrels. Theres much more cask usage these days, which is growing the category and growing the range of styles, Mulvany says.
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Common Whiskeys Youll Come Across As A Beginner
Bourbon
If you’re American, bourbon is probably the most familiar whiskey to you, because it’s the most common. Bourbon is sweeter and more accessible because its primary distillation component is corn, and it’s a great place to begin your exploration.
Wild Turkey 101 is our pick for a mass-produced Kentucky bourbon, and Buffalo Trace is a great entry-level small-batch bourbon.
Rye Whiskey
Rye used to be the most common American whiskey, but most rye distilleries were wiped out during prohibition. As the name suggests, rye is the main component of rye whiskey. Rye has been making a comeback for the last decade.
It’s more challenging than bourbon and less sweet, but delicious and an excellent choice for making high-end cocktails. Try Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond rye.
Canadian Whiskey
Canadian whiskeys are traditionally lighter and smoother than bourbon. Crown Royal Reserve isn’t hard to find, and it’s an excellent introduction to Canadian whiskeys.
Scotch
Scotch is a classic spirit associated with class, wealth, and luxury . Made from malted barley, a lot of Scotches are like bourbon with more of a bite, while some are out-of-this-world smoky and peaty. One of the requirements of Scotch whisky is that it be made in Scotland – it’s literally Scottish.
Our blended scotch pick is Johnny Walker Black. Our favorite Speyside is the Macallan, our favorite Lowlands is Glenkinchie, and the quintessential Islay Scotch is Laphroiag.
Irish Whiskey