How to drink whiskey: 5 rules from Scotland
Briefly, what you need to know about whiskey
Whiskey - a popular strong malt beverage that originated simultaneously in Scotland and Ireland. In addition to the Irish and Scottish ancestors, the concept of "whiskey" with a greater or lesser degree of conventionality applies to American corn bourbon, Canadian whiskey, as well as to a buckwheat drink from French Brittany...
The average strength of whiskey varies between 32 and 50 degrees, although there are varieties that significantly exceed this norm. The color range of the drink, which depends on the term and principle of aging, is also very wide: from light yellow to brown. As for the aging period, it ranges from two to three years to twenty-one years, and sometimes even goes beyond this time frame.
How to drink whiskey
The impressive diversity and versatility of the drink has given rise to a number of slightly different local traditions of its consumption, so our "how to drink whiskey" review will be based mainly on the geographical principle.
Scottish canons
Since the main generally accepted rules and rituals related to the use of whiskey were formed in Scotland, we will start with the whiskey culture of the inhabitants of this region.
First of all, the Scots never mix their national treasure with any other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, except water (but more on that below). The optimal temperature of whiskey should be 18-20°C. At a higher temperature, the drink begins to give off alcohol, at a lower temperature, it loses its inherent flavor.
After reaching the required temperature, the whiskey is poured into the containers intended for it. In this case, the Scots prefer either rocks - wide glasses with a thick bottom, or quaichs - local tin mugs with two handles.
However, today, even in somewhat patriarchal Scotland, elongated and tapered tulip-shaped (armagnac) glasses have begun to gain popularity, because, according to some experts, they better convey the flavor of the drink.
But, no matter what container you pour the whiskey into, it should be no more than a third full.
Kilt wearers enjoy whiskey in 5 stages:
Admire the color of the drink.
Inhale its flavor.
Meditatively savor the first sip.
Drink half the contents of the glass in small, leisurely sips.
To fully reveal the flavor bouquet and enhance the impressions of the drink's aroma, add a little of the purest still water, for which Scotland is so famous, to the remaining whiskey and slowly drink the second half of the glass.
Whiskey in Ireland, Canada and France
Irish whiskey, compared to its other relatives, is considered the mildest. Accordingly, the creators of this drink recommend drinking it only in its pure form.
The procedure for its use is very close to the Scottish one, but excludes the addition of water in the middle of the process. The only exception is made for Irish coffee - a drink that, in addition to whiskey, includes hot black coffee, whipped cream and brown sugar.
Canadian whiskey, bourbon, which is also a fairly mild drink, is also customary to drink in its pure form. In extreme cases, it is allowed to add some soda to the glass.
British whiskey also consume their original drink in its original form, except that they allow themselves to add a few ice cubes to the glass for flavor contrast.
American bourbon
Expensive aged bourbon varieties are drunk in compliance with the same rules as good single malt whiskey. The only clarification: before inhaling the aroma of the drink, it is recommended to shake the contents of the glass slightly to obtain a more complete effect.
As for the less demanding varieties of bourbon, they can be drunk either neat or with ice, or as part of a variety of cocktails.
To be completely frank, such very sharp varieties with dubious taste are consumed solely in order to get pumped up in a simple but thorough way...
A few additional recommendations
When drinking whiskey, you should also take into account a number of minor, but at the same time important nuances.
Inexpensive egalitarian whiskey in all its manifestations is a welcome element of noisy feasts, parties and gatherings. On the other hand, perennial, high-quality varieties should be enjoyed in a calm, soothing environment with a couple of close friends.
If simpler drinks can be consumed before, after, and during a feast, then noble varieties usually act as a digestif.
If you need to lower the temperature of a good drink, you can use special stones or stainless whiskey balls instead of melting ice cubes, after cooling them in the freezer. At the same time, some aesthetes replace ordinary stones with fake or semi-precious minerals, such as jade.
Update: 26.06.2015
Category: Whiskey and Bourbon