How To Drink Whisky Like A Pro?

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Whisky is such a classic drink, with a lot of history and tradition behind it, that some people may find it just a little intimidating. There’s absolutely no need for this and, with just a few pointers (see below), you can be drinking whisky like a pro before you know it.

Here then, is all you need to know to really enjoy your whisky – and look the part while you’re doing it.

Choose the right glass.
Pour yourself a whisky.
Check the color and depth.
Have a sniff.
Give it a swirl.
Give it another sniff.
Enjoy the taste.
Add a little water (optional).
Repeat steps 3 through 7.
Go back to step 2 and repeat until feelings of warm fuzziness and general contentment ensue.
Drink responsibly.

Choose The Right Glass

If you’re drinking a whisky that you’re already familiar with then a nice, straight sided, crystal whisky glass, ideally without too much decorative cutting work, is ideal. Something nice and heavy that feels just right in your hand.

If you’re sampling a new malt for the first time, then a tulip shaped glass is probably a better choice. A standard, stemmed copita or Glencairn glass is ideal. The shape funnels the aromas towards your nose and will let you identify the different tones much more readily.

Pour Yourself A Decent Measure

Pour yourself a decent measure, a couple of finger’s worth ought to do it. The whisky should fill the glass to about a quarter or a third at most. You want plenty of air above your drink.

Admire The Color And Depth of The Whisky

Hold your whisky up to a source of light. Note the color and depth of the whisky. Paler whiskies tend to have lighter, more floral notes. Darker whiskies tend to have a stronger, peatier flavor.

Have A Sniff

Hold the glass to your nose and have a good sniff so that you can get the aroma of the whisky. Get your nose right into the glass (see video below).

Give It A Swirl

Give your whisky a gentle swirl around the glass.

As it coats higher up the side of the glass you will notice, after a couple of moments, vertical rivulets appear. These are “the legs”.

Some people say that the longer it takes the legs to appear, the older the whisky is. I have also heard it said that in whiskies with higher alcohol content, the legs take longer to appear and slide down the glass more slowly.

The second explanation makes more sense to me. However, if you try doing this with a few different whiskies you’ll soon notice a difference.

Have Another Sniff

Now that you’ve swirled it a little, have another sniff of the bouquet. It’s possible that agitating the whisky may have released some further notes and aromas that you didn’t notice the first time around.

Have A Sip

Have a sip of the whisky. Hold it in your mouth for a few seconds to late all of the flavors permeate and reach your taste buds. It’s also a good idea to draw air in through your mouth and allow it to pass over the whisky. This can help to release and transport different flavors.

Add A Little Water (Optional)

If you want, you can add a little water, just a splash – not too much – to your whisky and then taste it again. Sometimes the addition of water can release different flavors that you may not notice otherwise.

That’s It

That’s all you need to know about drinking whisky. Just go back to the start and keep repeating the various steps until you feel warm and cozy.

Here’s a short video which discusses whisky drinking. It also seems to answer the old question of whether or not you should add ice in a fairly definitive manner.