How to Drink Whiskey

Do you know how to drink whiskey properly to really appreciate its many flavors and aromas? This page will show you what you need to know to unlock all this popular drink has to offer and become a true whiskey connoisseur. Read on for more information on how to drink whiskey.

There truly is an art to correctly drinking whiskey (or "whisky" as the Scots spell it). While some people like to mix whiskey with Coke or ginger ale, take shots, or drink it on the rocks, the only way to truly appreciate it as a connoisseur is to drink it straight. To truly appreciate a fine whiskey, you need to know how to properly drink it. Single malt whiskey, unlike other kinds of alcohol, may be best enjoyed without mixing it with soda. To truly appreciate a fine whiskey, you need only add a few teaspoons of water to unlock the aroma and to be able to taste the layers of the drink.http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/how-to-drink.htm Whiskey should be sipped slowly, allowing the drinker to enjoy the different flavors. Follow the steps below to maximize your experience.

There is an art to drinking whiskey - and an order. The following details the proper way to drink whiskey, beginning with the first pour.

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.
3. Tilt the glass and watch the whiskey run down the side.
   • You can also try swirling the glass.http://www.whiskymag.com/nosing_course/part2.php
   • Note the thickness of the drink. A thicker whiskey has a different texture and is higher in alcohol content.http://www.ehow.com/how_4682849_hold-whiskey-tasting.html
4. Hold it up to the light.
   • Look for any inconsistencies, or particles floating in the whiskey. These are signs of lower quality.http://www.whiskymag.com/nosing_course/part2.php
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.http://www.wikihow.com/Taste-Single-Malt-Scotch
   • 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.http://www.whiskymag.com/nosing_course/part2.php
   • 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.

Some people consider single malt whiskey to be among the best alcohol available. If you can't find the whiskey you want in your local stores, you might consider searching on the Internet - there are websites that allow you to purchase alcohol online, depending on where you live (some states prohibit the shipping of alcoholic beverages). Price ranges vary and often directly correlate to the age of the whiskey, where it was produced and in what quantities. A bottle of Balbair 1965 whiskey, for example, can run more than $1800.http://www.singlemaltsdirect.com/shop.php?action=full&id=1623

If you are a big whiskey fan, or you have a friend or family member who is, why not invest in some great whiskey accessories to enhance your whiskey drinking experience? You'll want to get a good quality whiskey decanter to store your whiskey, for example. While it's not a necessity, an attractive decanter is a nice way to add an air of sophistication to your whiskey. You can purchase whiskey decanter sets that include whiskey glasses. A nice whiskey set like this could be a great gift for a whiskey lover.http://www.amazon.com/Bormioli-Rocco-7-Piece-Whiskey-Decanter/dp/B000MD6A2M Whiskey accessories include:

• Whiskey decanters
• Whiskey glasses (including "tot" glasses)
• Whiskey decanter sets
• Flasks
• Whiskey books
• Whiskey posters
• Whiskey magazines

• There are a great many whiskeys to choose from out there; they come from different countries and are made using different methods. The best way to find the type that you appreciate the most is to try as many variations as you can. Here are some popular brands that you may want to taste.

• Bushmillshttp://www.bushmills.com

• Canadian Misthttp://www.canadianmist.com/

• Chivas Regalhttp://www.chivasregal.com/

• Crown Royalhttp://www.crownroyal.com

• Cutty Sarkhttp://www.cutty-sark.com/

• Dewar'shttp://www.dewarswow.com/

• The Famous Grousehttp://www.famousgrouse.com

• Glenfiddichhttp://www.glenfiddich.com

• The Glenlivethttp://www.theglenlivet.com/

• Highland Parkhttp://www.highlandpark.co.uk

• J&B Scotchhttp://www.jbscotch.com

• Jack Daniel'shttp://www.jackdaniels.com/

• Jameson Whiskeyhttp://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/

• Jim Beamhttp://www.jimbeam.com

• Johnnie Walkerhttp://www.johnniewalker.com

• Knob Creekhttp://www.knobcreek.com

• Maker's Markhttp://www.makersmark.com

• Tullamore Dewhttp://www.tullamoredew.com/

• Wild Turkeyhttp://www.wildturkeybourbon.com/

• Wiser'shttp://wisers.ca/