Instant Expert: 7 Whisky Hacks Every Man Should Know
The world of whisky is innately cool, and it’s one of the world’s favourite spirits. A world full of flavour, fun and possibility awaits – if handled correctly. However, it can also seem like a bit of a minefield to the uninitiated.
But with a few basic hacks, you can appear like an instant expert and impress your friends and colleagues with your knowledge and ideas. Here’s what every man should know.
What To Buy
Having the right drinks on your trolley is half the battle. A few well-chosen bottles are often better than many. The key is to mix recognisable brands that visitors will instantly know with some interesting craft and artisanal whiskies. This shows a level of knowledge and will naturally spark conversation.
Do your research – online is a good starting point, but visiting a specialist whisky shop is even better. Use the staff’s expertise to make an informed choice and remember a few key facts or stories they tell you about the brand or bottle. Then drop those into conversation as you pour a dram – it’ll make a great first impression.
Taste Like a Pro
Using the correct terms is a great place to start: the nose, the palate, and the finish.
The nose refers to the aromas rising from your glass and gives you clues as to what the whisky will taste like. Simply hold the glass to your nose, take small sniffs, and see what the aromas remind you of. Plus, you’ll look like a pro while doing it – everyone in the whisky world has had a photo like that as their social media profile pic at some point.
The palate is the flavour and sensations you experience when you actually taste the whisky. Give yourself time. Sip and savour. No tequila-style slamming, please. Let the whisky roll around your mouth – different areas of your tongue and palate respond to different flavours and sensations. Tune your taste buds in.
The finish is the sensation that comes after swallowing the whisky. Once the alcohol burn subsides, you’ll often discover a new set of flavours with added depth and complexity. This lingering aftertaste is what sets whisky apart from many other spirits. Also consider how long the flavour stays with you: short, medium or long. This is known as the length of the finish.
Matches Made in Heaven
Whisky is great on its own, but its incredible flavours can be elevated when paired with the right things. This can be anything from chocolate and cheese to cigars. Presenting guests with a thoughtful pairing instantly impresses, but it’s all about balance – you don’t want anything to overpower the whisky, or vice versa.
Different pairings work with different whiskies. For example, a creamy soft cheese pairs beautifully with a Scotch matured in ex-bourbon casks. A richer, sweeter whisky from a sherry cask goes brilliantly with chocolate truffles. A bold, peaty dram enhances the deep savoury notes of a good cigar.
There are no hard and fast rules, so get creative.
The Water and Ice Question
There are many misconceptions around adding water or ice, and whether it’s the ‘correct’ thing to do. The simple truth is: there’s no right or wrong. You and your guests should drink whisky however you enjoy it – whether that’s neat, with a splash of water, lots of water, or a few cubes of ice. Just try it neat first, then decide what, if anything, to add.
Adding water lowers the strength of the whisky and can unlock aromas and flavours that are otherwise masked by high ABV. It also softens the alcohol burn and makes it more approachable for some. Add small amounts at a time until you hit your sweet spot. Room temperature water works best.
Ice is a slightly different story. Rather than releasing aromas and flavours like water can, ice rapidly drops the temperature of the whisky and suppresses those elements. Great for a refreshing drink, not ideal for tastings or flavour analysis.
Glass Half Full?
One of the easiest ways to look and act like a whisky expert is to use the right glassware. Yes, a heavy tumbler with a wide rim feels great in the hand – but it’s not the best for appreciating whisky at its full potential. Choose something tulip-shaped with a narrower rim and you’ll instantly draw more character out of your dram, especially on the nose.
A Glencairn glass or a copita (Spanish for ‘little cup’) are both excellent options and widely used for professional tastings. You can’t go wrong with either. That said, a nice tumbler is still perfect for kicking back and enjoying a whisky at leisure.
Shake It Up
A basic cocktail kit instantly makes life easier and helps you look like a seasoned home bartender. Invest in a shaker, a jigger for measuring, and a long spoon for stirring – between them, you can make, shake or stir most cocktails out there.
Top tip: check your local charity shops. You’ll often find cocktail gear going cheap, along with some very cool retro glassware. Also, pick up a decent cocktail book – Difford’s Guide is a must-have, packed with thousands of recipes for all tastes, from timeless classics to modern creations.
Food For Thought?
Whisky is surprisingly versatile in the kitchen, adding depth and complexity to food as well as drinks. At the simple end of the scale, a splash of bourbon in your homemade barbecue sauce or a dram of Scotch stirred into whipped cream (or drizzled over haggis) adds a whole new flavour dimension.
Want to go deeper? Whisky writer Martine Nouet has written extensively on the subject and is the go-to expert on cooking with whisky. Her books are a great place to start.
Try adding whisky to a meat or vegetable stew for extra richness, or mix it into cake batter for a grown-up take on Irish coffee cupcakes. Once you start experimenting, the possibilities are endless.
