Ask 100 people “How should I be drinking whiskey?” and unless you’re in a room of elite whiskey snobs you’re likely to get 100 different answers. Some folks will tell you it should always be served with ice, some will say whiskey is only fit for a cocktail or even only for certain cocktails and some will tell you that whiskey should only ever be consumed neat and preferably in a Glencairn that you’ve held in your hand for a few minutes to warm the whiskey. All of these people are wrong… or are they?
The #1 question I get asked through this blog, at tastings I host, or by co-workers, friends and associates is “How should I be drinking my whiskey?” Sure they may all phrase it a bit differently and say things like “What is the best way to drink whiskey?”, but really they are all looking for the same thing. They want to know if there is a RIGHT way to drink whiskey… and there is.
There are a whole host of ways one can get whiskey into their body, and I’ve listed a few of the more popular ones below. It’s likely you’ve had and maybe even enjoyed whiskey in one or more of these ways, but if you’re looking for the RIGHT way to drink whiskey you’re going to have to read to the bottom.
HOW TO DRINK WHISKEY
1. As a shot
A popular way to consume whiskey and was indeed the first way I consumed this nectar of the Gods.
2. With Coke
I don’t drink soda, but I do know my fair share of folks who like their Jack, Jim, Johnnie or Turkey n’ Coke.
3. Neat
This is how I consume 90% of my whiskey.
4. With a splash of water
With 100+ proof whiskey a splash of water will help cut the ethanol and really open the whiskey up. Though I know some folks who even like a splash in their 80-90 proof.
5. On the rocks
Need I say more?
6. With soda
Particularly popular when drinking a blended Scotch like Johnnie Walker.
7. In a cocktail
You can ruin good whiskey with a bad cocktail and you ruin a good cocktail with bad whiskey, but you can’t ruin good whiskey with a good cocktail (or vice versa).
8. But really the single best way, and truly the only RIGHT way, to drink whiskey is…
Hope that clears things up.
