For the Love of Whiskey

Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey. A talk about whiskey.

As Mark Twain once said, " Too much of anything is bad, but too much of good whiskey is barely enough."

The world of whiskey is an exciting place with much variety and innovation. It is produced in so many distilleries in Scotland and around the globe, all distilling in different styles of spirit in different ways. The more whiskey we can get our hands on, the better!

Whiskey has been around for about 500-1000 years. It just has three fundamental ingredients - water, barley and yeast. The world got a lot more classier when wiskey came about 1000 years ago. You might not even be a whiskey fan, but you have to admit it looks damn classy when you are drinking it.

How you drink whiskey makes all the difference. The flavour that stays on your tongue is the most enjoyable part for avid whiskey lovers. The most important thing is not to drink the whisky too fast (like a cheap shot of Tequila). Rather, one should savour the flavours in your mouth to get the maximum gains! When you swallow it there will naturally be an alcoholic burn, which is what puts off the majority of people from drinking this smooth beverage. You have to let this pass as it after this where the whisky shows its true nature. The finishing complex after taste that whiskey has is what separates it from all other spirits. Once you pass the burn many flavours begin to reveal themselves, some of them being extremely subtle.

There are typically five stage in the process of making this delightful drink - malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation and maturation.

Did you know that the spirit must mature in a cask for a minimum of three years to be legally called a whiskey in Scotland? Maturation is where the flavour and aroma develop giving the whiskey its own characteristics.

So how should you drink your whiskey? Should you add water or ice to it? This is one of most common questions for those new to whiskey. 

Many avid drinkers say that you shouldn't add anything to your whiskey under any circumstance. But this is outdated! However, it is recommended you do try it without water or ice first as that is as it comes from the bottle in the first instance. They say not to add anything because you taste the whiskey in its natural form from which has been matured.

Adding a few drops of water to a whiskey can open up different, new and subtle flavours that you had previously not experienced before adding it. By adding some water, this dilutes the alcohol and reduces the burning effect and gives a chance for the flavours to shine. It is completely up to you how much water you add.

Ice inhibits the flavours of a whiskey, as it makes the temperature drop rapidly. Although it may be more refreshing and calm the burn, it can make the whiskey taste dull and flat. The aromas and flavours will only reveal themselves once the whiskey warms up to room temperature.

Ensure you use still water not carbonated. Additionally, the water or ice you add should come from a mineral source or be distilled. Tap water in most locations world wide contain high levels of chlorine and this will partially mask the flavours of the whiskey.

Ultimately, it is up to you, the drinker, what you do with the whiskey. It's completely up to your preference. But seriously, next time you go out for a drink, or even when you are just chilling at home - grab a glass of whiskey and sip away my friend. Because I for one will be doing just that.

"Whiskey, like a beautiful woman, demands appreciation. You gaze first, then it's time to drink." - Haruki Murakami, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World 

Drink up! 
~~~  Viet