How to Appreciate Whiskey

Disclaimer: It is illegal to drink alcohol if you are under 21 years old.

Guide Note: Whiskey is a popular drink around the globe, but how exactly does one truly appreciate all this spirit has to offer? This page will show you How to Appreciate Whiskey. Table of Contents:

Introduction

  • Did you ever look back on those glory days in the frat house and wonder if there might be a little more to whiskey than pounding shots of Jack Daniel's? The fact is, serious whiskey drinkers are some of the most discriminating appreciators in the world of liquor. After you've learned how to spot a quality whiskey—and how to properly taste said whiskey—you'll be well on your way to becoming as fastidious (or as snooty) as you'd like. This page will explain just how to become a whiskey connoisseur.

WARNING: This page is intended only for those 21 and older. If you are under 21, it is illegal to drink whiskey or any other alcoholic beverage.

Whiskey Terms and Types

(Creative Commons photo by Dusi_bbg)
(Creative Commons photo by Dusi_bbg)
  • Before we dive into whiskey appreciation, it's necessary to bone up on a few terms that will be thrown at you as you explore the wonderful world of whiskey.

Whiskey Glossary

  1. Malt vs. Blend: A malt is a whiskey created solely from malted barley as opposed to a blended or mixed whiskey which includes other grains (like corn or wheat).
  2. Single: If something is called a "single malt" or "single blend," it means the whiskey has come from a single distillery.
  3. Sour/Sweet Mash: The mixture of grain and water that enters the fermentation process when making whiskey. Sour mash contains an amount of previously fermented mash, while sweet mash is 100% fresh.
  4. Wort: Similar to mash, wort refers to the mixture used for fermentation when it contains only malted barley and no other grains.
  5. Congeners: Refers to impurities in whiskey that occur during the fermentation process that affect the flavor.
  6. Whiskey vs. Whisky: The latter spelling is used when it comes from Scotland or Canada. Irish and American versions are spelled with the "e."

Whiskey Types

  • Distilleries all over the world make whiskey. The main differences between any whiskey variation include how long it has been aged and how many times it has been distilled. The best way to figure out which type you prefer is by trying several of them! Here are a few of the most common and popular types.
  1. Scotch Whisky
  2. Irish Whiskey
    • Often similar to scotch in flavor, but distilled three times instead of two
    • Examples: Jameson, Bushmills
  3. American Whiskey:
  4. Other common whiskey types include Canadian (such as Crown Royal) and Japanese.

Some Whiskey Background

  • One of the best ways to appreciate something is to familiarize yourself with where it comes from.

A Brief Whiskey History

Whiskey is aged in barrels for 3-15 years. (Creative Commons photo by Katsuuu 44)
Whiskey is aged in barrels for 3-15 years. (Creative Commons photo by Katsuuu 44)
  • Although the oldest known written records of whiskey date back to the 15th century, it is generally believed that it had already been around for hundreds of years. Whiskey first popped up in Ireland and Scotland, where it was referred to as the "water of life." Most likely the result of traveling monks bringing the secrets of distillation from the Middle East, whiskey was originally used for medicinal purposes. Over the course of many centuries, the process was refined into the drink we know and love today, one of the most popular spirits in the world.

How Whiskey is Made

  1. First, malted barley and/or other grain is combined with warm water to create either a wort (for a malt) or a mash (for a blend).
  2. Yeast is added to begin the process of fermentation.
    • During this time, the yeast converts sugar in the wort or mash into alcohol.
  3. The next step is distillation, which involves heating the product to boiling temperature and allowing the vapors to condense back into liquid.
  4. Finally, the whiskey is aged in wooden barrels for anywhere from about 3 to 15 years.
    • The longer the whiskey stays in the barrel, the more flavor it picks up from the wood. This is why older whiskeys often have a much more pronounced wood taste.
    • The age of a whiskey is determined by the time between distillation and bottling, as it does not mature in the bottle.

Drinking Whiskey

  • You can drink whiskey in a variety of ways. Some like to take shots, some like to mix it with Coke or ginger ale, and others like it on the rocks. But for the true aficionado, the only way to really appreciate whiskey is to drink it straight. Here is how to maximize your experience.
  1. Pour the whiskey in a tumbler, wine, or sherry glass.
    • You're not going to be taking shots, so you'll want a wide glass you can sip from.
    • If the glass curves in at the top, it will help trap in some of the drink's aromas.
  2. Pour about an ounce and a half.
    • You can drink as much or as little as you want, but this is a good amount to start with.
    • Inspect the quality and consistency of the whiskey. (Creative Commons photo by Inspector_81)
      Inspect the quality and consistency of the whiskey. (Creative Commons photo by Inspector_81)
  3. Tilt the glass and watch the whiskey run down the side.
    • You can also try swirling the glass.
    • Note the thickness of the drink. A thicker whiskey has a different texture and is higher in alcohol content.
  4. Hold it up to the light.
    • Look for any inconsistencies, or particles floating in the whiskey. These are signs of lower quality.
  5. Just add water.
    • Adding clean water to a whiskey can unlock all of its potential flavors and aromas.
    • It is essential to use clean bottled spring water, as the chlorine in tap water will flavor the drink.
    • Add anywhere from a splash of water up to an equal amount of water and whiskey.
  6. Take a good whiff.
    • Put your nose as close to the whiskey as you can, but try not to get so close that the aroma burns your nose.
    • Take a few good, deep breaths and inhale the aromas (breathe out through your mouth and not back into the glass). This is called "nosing."
    • Take a note of every type of aroma you can identify.
  7. Take a sip.
    • Let it cascade down your tongue.
    • Swish it around a bit so it touches every bit of your mouth and you can pick out all of the flavors it has to offer.
    • Let it warm up a bit in your mouth.
  8. Swallow.
    • Feel the warmth of this liquid joy as it goes down your throat.
    • Repeat the process again until your glass is empty.

WARNING: Don't get too carried away with your whiskey tasting. Always drink responsibly and never drink and drive. Also, darker liquors tend to give you more of a hangover. So if you wake up with a splitting headache and the urge to hug the toilet after a night of "excessive appreciation," don't say we didn't warn you!

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