Scotch whiskey has its own fanatical circles among drinkers. Known for its sharp, strong and long-lost peat aroma, this drink is usually prepared to be drunk in small batches, not downed all at once. While all whiskey (or "whiskey") can be enjoyed responsibly with anyone with the same hobby, Scotch whiskey is best when consumed with a little water and a group of friends. If you've already poured yourself a glass of wee dram and are hoping to enjoy its smooth texture in a whole new perspective, read on for the instructions below.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Getting to Know Basic Scotch
Step 1. Distinguish between single-malts and blends
One of the most important differences that distinguish Scotch Whiskey is a technical issue. This may not seem very important, but the ability to distinguish single-malt from a blend will tell you a lot about whiskey before you even try it. So, what is the “one” difference that separates single-malts and blends?
- Single-malt Scotch is made of only water and 100% barley. Even though it is made from only one filtering process, it can contain whiskey from different barrels, and even from different batches. Because of this, a single malt from a Bruichladdich filter may have whiskey from a different barrel, but it will “only” contain whiskey filtered in Bruichladdich.
- Blended malt Scotch whiskey is made from two or more single-malt whiskeys that are produced in different sieves. Many distilleries sell whiskey for blending. Some bottlers distinguish between filtering plants that produce whiskeys made from blends based solely on the name of their general geographic area.
Step 2. Try mixed drinks
While single-malts are said to be more valuable than blends - their prices certainly represent this - there are some very tasty blends out there, sometimes tastier than single-malts. Overall, you'll probably get a higher quality single-malt, but these drinks cost more and aren't necessarily better.
Usually, manufacturers also mix whiskey to get a stronger flavor profile. You might even get a more interesting taste if you try a blended whiskey instead of a single-malt
Step 3. Choose an "aged" scotch whiskey
Scotch whiskey ages for at least three years in a barrel. Sometimes barrels made from oak were previously used for sherry or bourbon. The origin of the oaks themselves sometimes varies: Some screening sites use small barrels of American oak, while others use European oaks. The process of allowing whiskey to age in oak barrels, sometimes for decades, often results in better whiskey. A wise man once said, "Never be a Scotch pedophile!"
- Why does whiskey get better with age? The oak, like all wood, has pores. The scotch in the oak barrel seeps into the pores of the barrel, and takes on some of the unique oak flavor. As whiskey ages, the alcohol content evaporates and softens the taste. The whiskey that evaporates in the aging process is called the "angel's share."
- Barrels of Scotch whiskey are sometimes charred before being used for alcohol. This burning gives it a unique taste. Burning wood also helps to clarify whiskey; the carbon left in combustion filters out impurities as it ages.
- Whiskey is usually given a 'finishing touch'. All whiskey is stored in one small barrel for most of the aging process, then transferred to another small barrel for an additional period of 6 to 12 months. This gives the whiskey a rich, flavorful profile.
- Many people think that whiskey will not continue to age once it is bottled. Whiskey may lose some of the alcohol in the evaporation process and become softer as a result, but most of the strong flavor is created when the whiskey is in a small cask.
Step 4. Look for natural whiskey without adding color
Some whiskeys are injected with caramel color before being bottled to maintain visual consistency from bottle to bottle. Avoid this kind of whiskey. If whiskey is really good, then what's the problem with how it looks? This is the essence of whiskey and other drinks with added colouring: If a distiller or bottler is willing to lie about the color of a drink, isn't it very likely that they will lie about something else too?
Scotch whiskey experts have debated whether colorings affect a drink's flavor profile. While it's generally agreed that colorants don't affect a drink's flavor profile, some people believe that you can taste the difference between colored and natural whiskey
Step 5. Know where Scotch comes from
While whiskey can technically be produced all over the world - Canada, Australia and even Japan make good whiskeys too - start with a whiskey that comes from the windswept suburbs of Scotia. You won't be disappointed. Here's a quick look at Scotland's regional differences, some characteristics, and some of their promising whiskeys:{|border="3"|+ ' Regional whiskey in Scotland !style="background: #93b874; color:white;" | Area !! | Traditional Taste !! | Representative Brand|-style="background:#fff;"| Lowlands || Light, soft, malt and grassy || Glenkinchie, Blandoch, Auchentoshan |-style="background:#fff;"| Highlands || Stronger, spicy, dry and sweet || Glenmorangie, Blair Athol, Talisker|-style="background:#fff;"| Speyside || Sweet, tender, usually fruitful || Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan|-style="background:#fff;"| Islay || Strong shades of peat, smoke and spindrift || Bowmore, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Bruichladdich|-style="background:#fff;"| Campbell || Shades of half to full ripe, peat, and salty (like seawater)|| Springbank, Glen Gyle, Glen Scotia|}
Part 2 of 4: Kissing, Sipping and Tasting
Step 1. Take the correct whiskey glass
While it's okay to drink your whiskey from any glass, choosing the "right" glass will make your whiskey experience even more enjoyable. Experts agree that a tulip-shaped glass is best: you can spin the whiskey without spilling it, as well as concentrate the whiskey aroma close to the neck of the glass.
If you can't find a tulip-shaped whiskey glass, try using a wine or champagne glass
Step 2. Pour in some whiskey and swirl gently
Pour yourself a little - depending on your desire of course - usually no more than 29.5 ml. Gently turn the glass, coat the sides of the glass lightly with whiskey, and let the aroma waft out. Enjoy the color and texture of the whiskey as the caramel-colored layer flows down the glass.
Enjoying whiskey is more than just tasting its taste, it's about its appearance, color and texture as well
Step 3. Breathe in the aroma
Hold the whiskey cup to your nose and take a deep breath. Move your nose (at first smell it will only smell of alcohol) and then bring it back to the whiskey. Sip the whiskey for 20 to 30 seconds, put it away, and come back, trying to freely relate the scent to your knowledge. When smelling, pay attention to the types of odors below:
- Shades of smoke. This includes the smell of peat, as malted barley is usually burned on peatlands to smoke it.
- Salty taste. Can you taste the salty seawater of the Islay whiskey? Many whiskeys from Scotland have a maritime aroma that makes them unique.
- Fruity taste. Can you taste the dried raisins, apricots or cherries from your whiskey?
- Sweetness. Many Scotch whiskeys rely on caramel, confectionery, vanilla, or honey. What scents can you recognize?
- Wood scent. Because oak is an integral companion of the aging process of whiskey, the smell of wood is often found in Scotch. This smell often interacts with sweet smells.
Step 4. Suck a little
Sip just enough whiskey to cover your entire tongue, but not too much, as your taste buds will be clouded by the taste of the alcohol. Swirl the Scotch in your mouth and try to create a good “mouth feel.” How does whiskey taste? What does it taste like?
On the first sip, the taste of alcohol will probably be more dominant. However, try to dive into the different flavors and nuances in it
Step 5. Enjoy to the end
Take a sip of the whiskey and open your mouth slightly to help you taste the aftertaste. What flavors, if any, are created after the whiskey is swallowed? This is what is meant by "finished". In a graceful whiskey, the finish will differ from the “taste of the mouth”, and will add another layer of delightful complexity to your tasting experience.
You can also use this "finished" flavor to determine if you need to add water or not
Step 6. Add a little water to your whiskey
Many whiskey lovers add water to their whiskey, so that it is enough to lower the alcohol content by about 30%. This water is usually less than a teaspoon. Some whiskeys require more water, others will require less; as with many things, you're better off adding too little than too much..
- This is a way of determining how much water to add to your whiskey. Add a few drops at a time until the strong smell or burning smell you get from the alcohol is gone.
- Why add water to whiskey? Water weakens whiskey. At strong alcohol content, the alcohol in whiskey can create an unpleasant odor or taste. When you remove the smell and taste, the original taste of the whiskey begins to manifest. Adding water is like separating men from boys.
- Try covering the whiskey with any lid (eg clean coasters) and letting it sit for 10 to 30 minutes. This will give the whiskey time to interact with the water, which in turn creates a better drinking experience.
Step 7. Repeat the whole process, this time with the whiskey added to the water
Twist, smell, taste and taste some more whiskey. How does the whiskey with water taste? How is it different from whiskey that is not mixed with water? What things do you realize now about whiskey that you didn't realize the first time? Keep drinking and tasting the whiskey slowly, preferably with friends.
Whiskey is a drink that is enjoyed slowly. While there is no time limit for drinking it, you should enjoy the drink in your glass and not finish it in one gulp. Drink the whiskey slowly to really enjoy it thoroughly
Part 3 of 4: Adding to the Scotch Drinking Experience
Step 1. Make your own mix
Who says you have to rely on a distillery to mix your whiskey for you? You can create your mixes quickly and easily and produce good effects with a little practice. Here's the basic way to do it.
- Start with two whiskeys, preferably from the same distillery. Two different types of Bruichladdich or two types of year from Talisker would probably make a good product. It will be easier to mix whiskeys sold by the same distillery.
- Mix in a little of two or three types of whiskey, and store for a week or two. This is your “trial”, to see if you enjoy the end result. If after two or three weeks you like the mix, then you can rest assured that it will not end as a disaster.
- Take an empty whiskey bottle and fill it almost to the brim with your new mixture. You can use 50/50 of two whiskeys, or 45/55, or even 33/33/33 of three whiskeys. The choice is in your hand. Filling your bottle almost to the brim will neutralize some of the oxidation that could affect the taste of your whiskey.
Step 2. Once you open a bottle of whiskey, drink it within a year
After making your precious whiskey meet with oxygen, the character will start to diminish. The oxygen begins to turn the alcohol into vinegar. Therefore, drink responsibly, but don't suck too slowly until your mixture turns into an undrinkable solution. Happy drinking!
You can store unopened whiskey for a very long time (almost indefinitely) as long as it's in a cool place protected from sunlight
Step 3. Experiment with aging wood
Whiskey ages in oak barrels, but whiskey entrepreneurs can also learn how to age drinks using wood-roasted strings and twigs. Try it with woods like birch, cherry, or oak for added flavor. Of course, use this technique only to enhance whiskeys that don't have the flavor you want; A very good whiskey probably won't benefit from the added benefit of aging the wood.
- Make sure the branch or twig is small enough to fit in your whiskey bottle.
- Heat your branch or twigs in the toaster for a few hours on low to remove any moisture.
- With a torch, slightly roast the branches. The goal is to burn the branches; You'll only want to roast the branches or twigs for added flavor.
- Tie the branch with a piece of string and immerse it in your whiskey, tasting the whiskey every 30 minutes. You don't have to soak the branches for long to have a big effect on the taste. It usually only takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to produce a good grade.
- Notes: Make sure the type of wood you are using is safe to put in the whiskey. Some types of wood are harmful to humans and/or will not create a pleasant taste or aroma. Your health should be the top priority.
Step 4. Try not to add ice
Of course you can if you like your whiskey cold and very runny. However, most whiskey drinkers would not consider using ice. Cold temperatures tend to mask certain flavors, and whiskey that's too runny contains more water, right?
If you really want the whiskey cold, try using a whiskey rock. Whiskey cubes can be kept in the refrigerator or freezer and, if produced properly, leave no aftertaste
Step 5. Try starting your own whiskey collection
Of course if you're a beginner, this might seem a little odd. But many people find whiskey collecting a fun hobby. Here are a few things you might consider starting a personal collection:
- Buy a drink that you enjoy, not what you think will benefit later. The whiskey auction market is quite stable. The price fluctuates. The best bet for collecting is to stick to what you love; that way, if the price of whiskey drops dramatically or doesn't exceed inflation, you'll still be happy to "drink" your whiskey.
- Save your purchase receipt. Keep the purchase receipt in the whiskey packaging itself. This is a bit of a warning of what you're paying for, and helps you enjoy the whiskey even more when you finally decide to open the bottle.
- Store it in various storage areas. If a bad kid steals your whiskey or a fire devours your storage space, you won't lose all of it. Don't keep all your valuables in one place.
Part 4 of 4: Serving Scotch Whiskey
Step 1. Add ice if you are new to whiskey
While many whiskey fans may take this step lightly, ice can help cool the drink while also diluting it slightly, thus avoiding a burning sensation when drinking. However, always use clean ice made from distilled water. Add only 2-3 ice cubes so that your drink is not too runny.
- Adding ice can mask some of the taste of the drink. So, you may not be able to fully enjoy the profile.
- Use large ice cubes to melt slowly so you have time to finish the whiskey before it all melts.
Step 2. Try using a whiskey cube to cool the drink without making it runny
If you like to enjoy your whiskey cold, but don't want to make it runny, buy a whiskey cube and store it in the freezer. After that, put this stone into the drink every time you want to enjoy a refreshing cold whiskey. This stone won't melt, but it can cool your drink.
Try chilling the whiskey cubes in the freezer at least 4 hours before using for a refreshing drink
Step 3. Mix the whiskey into a cocktail to enhance the taste
If you don't really like drinking whiskey alone, you can mix it into a high-alcoholic cocktail. Try making quick and easy scotch and soda, or classic rusty nails that only require a few ingredients.
You can also add scotch whiskey to cocktails that you don't normally use. For example, use whiskey instead of rye liquor in a Manhattan cocktail
Step 4. Dilute the whiskey with water to reduce the alcohol sting
If you really want to enjoy the taste of whiskey, the sting in your nose when you drink it may bother you. Consider adding a little water, drop by drop until the alcohol sting is gone. The water will also unlock the flavors in the whiskey, making it tastier and easier to drink.
Try not to add too much water. Adding more than a splash of water can dilute and mask the whiskey's taste. Find the balance
Tips
- While Scotch whiskey can of course be enjoyed in cocktails, pure whiskey sometimes tastes better.
- Be social while drinking Scotch. Scotch enjoyed with friends is definitely better than enjoyed alone.
