Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: The basics
• Part 2 of 3: Smell, sip and enjoy
• Part 3 of 3: Enriching the Scotch whiskey drinking experience
• Tips

Scotch whiskey inspires an almost cult-like devotion in some drinking circles. Known for its pungent, peaty aroma and long, lasting finish, it is primarily intended for sipping, not pouring down. While all whiskey (or Canadian / American whiskey) can be responsibly enjoyed by anyone who loves spirits, Scotch whiskey is best with a little water and a group of friends. poured a "wee dram" and want to see the silky texture of the drink in a whole new light, read on.

To step

Part 1 of 3: The basics

1. Know the difference between single malt and blended whiskey. One of the main ways in which the different Scotch whiskeys differ is more of a technical matter. This may not seem like a big deal, but learning to distinguish between a single malt and a blend will tell you a lot about the whiskey before you even take a sip of it. So what is the difference between single malts and blends?
   • A single-malt Scotch whiskey is made from water and 100% barley. Although it comes from the same distillery, it may contain whiskeys from different barrels, and even from different batches. A single malt from the Bruichladdich distillery may come from different barrels, but will only contain whiskey from Bruichladdich.
   • A blended malt Scotch whiskey is made by blending 2 or more single malt whiskeys, sourced from different distilleries. Many distilleries sell their whiskey for use in blends. Few bottlers mention which distilleries produced the whiskeys that are part of their blends, preferring only to mention the general geographic location.
2. Don't blindly choose a single malt over a blend. While single malts undoubtedly enjoy more prestige than blends - as can be seen from the price - there are some very tasty blends to be found, some even better than certain single malts. In general, you can expect more quality with a single malt, but they are more expensive than blends and not always better. If you drink Scotch whiskey, it pays to be sensible and not too dogmatic. You don't have to be a total snob.
3. Know that Scotch whiskey tends to taste better with age. Scotch whiskey is aged for at least 3 years in oak barrels. Sometimes these barrels have previously been used to age sherry or bourbon. The origin of the oak itself often also varies: Some distilleries use American oak barrels, while others prefer European ones. Maturing whiskey in barrels, sometimes for decades, will often produce a better whiskey. As a wise man once said, "Never use your Scotch Whiskey too young!"
   • Why does whiskey taste better with age? Oak, like all woods, is porous. Scotch whiskey in oak barrels penetrates the pores of the wood and picks up some of the unique aroma. As the whiskey matures, some of the alcohol will evaporate, which will soften the taste. The whiskey that evaporates during the maturation process is also called "the share of the angels."
   • Scotch whiskey barrels are sometimes charred before the drink is stored in them. This charring creates a unique taste. The charred wood also helps purify the whiskey; the carbon in the charcoal filters out some of the impurities during ripening.
   • Whiskeys often get a "finish," so to speak. They are aged in the same barrel throughout the maturation process and then transferred to another barrel for another 6 to 12 months. This gives the whiskey a richer flavor profile.
   • It is widely believed that whiskey does not mature further after bottling. Evaporation may cause some alcohol to evaporate and thus become "milder", but most of the full flavor will develop during the barrel aging process.
4. Look for whiskey without added coloring. Some whiskeys are given a caramel colored injection before bottling, ostensibly to ensure visual consistency during bottling from one bottle to another. Stay away from these types of whiskeys. If the whiskey, then who cares what it looks like? When it comes to Scotch whiskey and other color-added drinks, the key question is: If the distiller or bottler is willing to lie about the color of the drink, what else is lying about?
5. Pay close attention to where the Scotch whiskey comes from. While whiskey can technically be produced anywhere in the world - fine whiskey is made in Canada, Australia, and even Japan - it is best to start with whiskeys sourced from the windy pinnacle of Scotia. You can hardly go wrong. Here is a brief overview of the different regions of Scotland, a few details and a list of the most popular whiskeys:

Regional Whiskey in Scotland

Region	Distinctive Regional Flavors	Representative Brands
Lowland	Light-bodied, gentle, malty, grassy	Glenkinchie, Blandoch, Auchentoshan
Highland	Firmer, spicy, both dry and sweet	Glenmorangie, Blair Athol, Talisker
Speyside	Sweet, mellow, often fruity	Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan
Islay	Heavily peated, smoky, spindrift	Bowmore, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Bruichladdich
Campbell	Medium to full-bodied, peaty and briny	Springbank, Glen Gyle, Glen Scotia

Part 2 of 3: Smell, sip and enjoy

1. Make sure you use the correct whiskey glass. While it's okay to drink your whiskey from an old glass, it will correct glass enrich your experience. Experts agree that a tulip-shaped glass is generally best: you can spin the whiskey without spilling and focus on the scotch aroma.
   • If you don't have a tulip-shaped glass, have a wine or a champagne glass.
2. Add a small amount of whiskey and swirl gently. Pour yourself a small glass - depending on what you prefer, of course - usually no more than 30 ml. Gently turn the glass, covering the side of the glass with a thin film of whiskey and allowing the drink to breathe. Enjoy the color and texture of the whiskey as the caramel-colored drink washes down the sides of the glass.
3. Smell the whiskey. Bring the whiskey glass to your nose and breathe in the scent deeply. Take your nose away for a moment (the first scent will mainly smell like alcohol) and then return to the whiskey. Spend 20 to 30 seconds inhaling the whiskey, then set it down and then return as you freely contemplate the different smells and flavors the drink evokes. When you smell the whiskey, pay attention to the following scents:
   • Smokiness.This includes peat, as malted barley is often thrown over a peat fire for smoking.
   • Salinity. Do you taste the salty mist of Islay whiskeys? Many Scotch whiskeys have a distinctive maritime scent.
   • Fruitiness. Can you distinguish the dried currants, apricot or cherries in your whiskey?
   • Sweetness. Many Scotch whiskeys rely on a hint of caramel, toffee, vanilla or honey. What sweets do you smell?
   • Woody. Since the oak is such a steady companion to the whiskey maturation process, the scent of wood is often evident in Scotch. This sometimes works together with the sweet scent.
4. Take a little sip. Take a sip of whiskey large enough to cover your entire tongue, but not so much that your taste buds are flooded with the alcohol. Swirl the Scotch whiskey in your mouth and try to develop a good "mouthfeel". How does the whiskey taste? What does it taste like?
5. Enjoy the aftertaste. Swallow the whiskey and open your mouth slightly to get a better taste of the whiskey aftertaste. What flavors, if any, develop after you swallow the whiskey? This is referred to as the "finish." With elegant whiskeys, the aftertaste is different from the taste on the palate and adds an extra layer of pleasant complexity to the taste experience.
6. Add a little bit of water to the whiskey. Many whiskey enthusiasts like to add a little water to their whiskey, enough to reduce the alcohol content to about 30%. This is usually less than a teaspoon. Some whiskeys require more water, others less; as with most delicate things, it is better to add too little than too much.
   • Here is a tip for determining how much water you can add to your whiskey. Add a few drops of water at a time until the stinging or burning sensation in your nose disappears from the smell of the alcohol.
   • Why would you add water to whiskey? Water dilutes the whiskey. The alcohol content in the whiskey can mask the more unpleasant flavors of the or aromas. When you remove the predominant smell and taste of the alcohol, the true character of the whiskey will begin to emerge. Adding water sets the connoisseurs apart from the beginners, so to speak.
   • Cover the whiskey with, for example, a clean beer mat and let it rest for 10 to 30 minutes. This gives the whiskey enough time to mix with the water, creating a better drinking experience.
7. Repeat the entire procedure, but this time with the diluted whiskey. Spin, smell, taste and enjoy the whiskey again. How does it taste now that it's diluted? What is the difference with the undiluted whiskey? What things do you notice about the whiskey that you didn't notice the first time? Keep tasting and enjoying your whiskey slowly, preferably among friends.

Part 3 of 3: Enriching the Scotch whiskey drinking experience

1. Make your own blends. Who says you have to depend on distilleries to make you a blended whiskey? You can also make your own blends quickly and easily, and with a little practice, very good ones. Here's the basics of how to proceed.
   • Start with two whiskeys, preferably from the same distiller. Two different types of Bruichladdich could go well together, or two different Talisker. It is easier to mix whiskeys sold by the same distiller.
   • Blend a very small amount of 2 or 3 whiskeys and set aside for two weeks. This is your "test run," after which you can see if you like the finished product. If you still like the taste after 2 or 2 weeks, you can be reasonably sure that you can blend more without it turning into a disaster.
   • Take an empty whiskey bottle and fill it to the brim with your new blend. You can make 50/50 of two whiskeys or 45/55, or even 33/33/33 of three. The choice is yours. By filling the bottle to the brim, you neutralize some of the oxidation that can affect the taste.
2. Once you have opened a bottle of whiskey, drink it within a year. Once you expose the precious whiskey to oxygen (O₂), the drink will lose some of its character. Oxygen converts alcohol into vinegar. So drink in moderation, but not so little that your supply turns into an undrinkable bend. Cheers!
3. Experiment with ripening on wood yourself. Whiskey matures in wooden barrels, but the whiskey entrepreneur can also learn to age liquor himself with the help of some wire and a charred branch. Try experimenting with woods such as birch, cherry or oak for extra flavor. Of course, only use this technique if the whiskey leaves something to be desired; very good whiskey is unlikely to benefit from additional wood aging.
   • Make sure the branch or twig is small enough to fit in your whiskey bottle.
   • Heat the wood in the oven on low for several hours to remove all moisture.
   • Lightly roast the branch with a burner. The goal here is not to char the branch, just roast the outside for extra flavor.
   • Tie the branch to a piece of string and submerge it in your whiskey. Taste the whiskey every 30 minutes. You don't have to leave the branch in the whiskey for a long time for a reasonable effect on the taste. Sometimes 30 minutes to an hour is all it takes to produce a nice improvement.
   • Pay attention: Make sure the type of wood is safe to use in your whiskey. Some woods are poisonous to humans and will not give off a pleasant aroma. Your health comes first.
4. Try not to add ice. Of course, if you like cold and super-diluted whiskey, go ahead. But most whiskey drinkers think that ice cubes are a thing of the past. Cool temperatures tend to mask certain flavors, and overly diluted whiskey is more water than whiskey, either way, isn't it?
   • If you really want your whiskey to be cold, try cooling the whiskey with stone cubes. You can place this in the fridge or freezer and leave it behind aftertaste.
5. Start building your own whiskey collection. Of course this seems a bit strange when you are just getting started. But many people consider collecting whiskey a fun and enriching hobby. Here are a few things to consider when starting your own collection:
   • Buy what you like to drink, not what you expect to be worth a lot later. The price of whiskey in the market is very subject to change. Prices fluctuate quite a bit. The best starting point if you want to start collecting is to buy the whiskey you like; that way, if the price of whiskey falls over the next few years or does not exceed inflation, you will still have a lot of fun drink of your whiskey.
   • Keep the receipts. Keep them with the bottle itself so you know what you paid for them and when. In addition, you can enjoy your whiskey even more that way when you finally decide to open the bottle.
   • Keep your bottles in different places. When a curious child or a fire reaches your collection, it pays to distribute. Don't all keep your eggs in the same basket.

Tips

• Although Scotch whiskey can be used in cocktails, a very good whiskey will always taste better on its own.
• Drink your Scotch with others. You will almost always appreciate a Scotch whiskey more in the company of friends than on your own.