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How to Drink Scotch Whisky

Three Parts:Familiarizing Yourself with Scotch BasicsNosing, Sipping, and SavoringEnhancing the Scotch Drinking ExperienceCommunity Q&A

Scotch whisky inspires a near cult-like devotion in some drinking circles. Known for its pungent, peaty aroma and long, lingering finish, it's mostly designed to sip, not shoot. While all whisky (or "whiskey") can be enjoyed responsibly by anyone with an interest in spirits, Scotch whisky is best enjoyed with a little splash of water and a gathering of friends. If you've poured yourself a wee dram and wish to savor its silky texture in a whole new light, read on.

Part 1
Familiarizing Yourself with Scotch Basics

  1. 1
    Distinguish the single-malts from the blends. One of the most important distinctions in Scotch whisky is a technical one. It may not seem terribly important, but being able to identify a single-malt from a blend will tell you a lot about the whisky before you even sip it. So, what is the difference between single-malts and blends?
    • A single-malt Scotch is made just from water and 100% barley. Although it comes from a single distillery, it can contain whiskies from different barrels, and even from different batches.[1] A single malt from Bruichladdich distillery, therefore, may have whiskies from different barrels, but it will only contain whisky distilled at Bruichladdich.
    • A blended malt Scotch whisky is made from two or more single-malt whiskies produced at different distilleries.[2] Many distilleries sell their whisky for use in blends. Few independent bottlers identify which distilleries produced the whiskies made in their blends, preferring instead to name only the general geographical area.
  2. 2
    Don't blindly prefer single-malts over blends. Although single-malts are arguably more prestigious than blends — their price tag certainly advertises it — there are some very tasty blends out there, sometimes even nicer than single-malts. Overall, you'll probably squeeze more quality out of single-malts, but they're more expensive than blends and not always better.[3] When drinking Scotch, it pays to be judicious and agnostic. Don't be a complete and utter snob.
  3. 3
    Know that Scotch whisky generally improves with age. Scotch whisky ages for at least three years in oak barrels. Sometimes, those oak barrels have been previously used to age sherry or bourbon.[4] The provenance of the oak itself often varies: Some distilleries use American oak casks, while others prefer European oak. The process of allowing the whisky to age in oak barrels, sometimes for several decades, often produces a finer whisky. As a wise man once said, "Never commit Scotch pedophilia!"
    • Why does whisky improve with age? Oak, like all woods, is porous. Scotch that is housed in oak barrels seeps into the oak barrel's pores, picking up some of the oak's unique flavor. As the whisky ages, a portion of the alcohol evaporates, mellowing the flavor. The whisky that evaporates during the aging process is referred to as the "angel's share."[5]
    • Scotch whisky barrels are sometimes charred before the introduction of the spirit. This charring imparts a unique flavor. The charred wood also helps purify the whisky; the carbon left in the charcoal filters away some impurities as it ages.
    • Whiskies are often given a "finish," so to speak. They are aged in one cask for a majority of the aging process, and then transferred to another cask for an additional 6 to 12 months.[6] This gives the whisky a richer flavor profile.
    • Whisky does not continue to age once it is bottled. It may lose a bit of alcohol through evaporation and therefore "mellow," but most of its deep flavor is likely to have developed while it was still casked.
  4. 4
    Look for all-natural whiskys without added colorants. Some whiskies are given caramel color injections before bottling, ostensibly to maintain visual consistency from one bottling to the next. Steer clear of these whiskies. If the whisky tastes good, what does it matter how it looks? Here's the bottom line with Scotch and with other spirits to which colorant are added: If the distiller or bottler is willing to lie about the color of the spirit, what else are they willing to lie about?
  5. 5
    Note where the Scotch comes from. While whisky can technically be produced the world 'round — Canada, Australia, and even Japan all make fine whisky — start off with whiskies from the wind-tipped rim of Scotia. You almost can't go wrong. Here's a quick look at the different regions of Scotland, some of their characteristics, and some of their most heralded whiskies:
Regional Whisky in Scotland[7]
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
Nosing, Sipping, and Savoring

  1. 1
    Get the right whisky glass. While it's certainly fine to drink your whisky out of any old glass, choosing the right one will enhance your whisky experience. Experts agree that a tulip-shaped glass is generally the best: It allows you to swirl the whisky without it spilling, as well as concentrating the whisky aroma near the glass's neck.[8]
    • If you can't find a tulip-shaped whisky glass to sip out of, try using a wine or champagne glass instead.
  2. 2
    Pour a small amount of whisky and swirl it around gently. Pour yourself a small glass — depending on your pleasure, of course — usually not more than an ounce. Gently swirl the glass, coating the sides of the glass with a thin film of whisky and allowing the spirit to breathe. Enjoy the color of the whisky and its texture as the filmy coat of caramel spindles down the glass.
  3. 3
    Nose it. Smell your whisky. Bring the whisky glass up to your nose and inhale deeply. Take your nose away (the first nose will smell entirely of alcohol) and then come back to the whisky. Spend a good 20 to 30 seconds breathing in the whisky, setting it down, and coming back to it, all while free-associating about the kinds of smells or flavors the spirit evokes. When nosing, pay attention to the following kinds of smells[9]:
    • Smokiness. This includes peatiness, as malted barley is often thrown over a peat fire in order to smoke it.
    • Saltiness. Can you taste the briny spindrift of Islay whiskies? Many Scotch whiskies have a distinctly maritime smell.
    • Fruitiness. Can you pick out dried currants, apricot, or cherry from your whisky?
    • Sweetness. Many Scotch whiskies rely on caramel, toffee, vanilla or honey tones. What confections can you smell?
    • Woodiness. Since oak is such an integral companion in the whisky-aging process, wood smell is often headily present in Scotch. It sometimes interacts with the smell of sweetness.
  4. 4
    Take a tiny sip. Bring in enough whisky so that it coats your entire tongue, but not so much that your taste buds are overwhelmed with the flavor of alcohol. Swirl the Scotch around in your mouth a bit and try to develop a good "mouthfeel." How does the whisky taste? What does it taste like?
  5. 5
    Savor the finish. Swallow the whisky and open your mouth slightly to help taste the lingering afterglow of the whisky. What flavors, if any, develop after the whisky has been swallowed? This is referred to as the "finish." In elegant whiskies, the finish will be distinct from the mouthfeel, and will add another layer of pleasant complexity to your tasting experience.
  6. 6
    Add a small amount of water to your whisky. Many whisky aficionados like to add water to their whiskey, enough to dilute the alcohol volume down to about 30%.[10] This is usually less than a teaspoon. Some whiskies will take more water, other will take less; as with most things delicate, it's better to add too little than too much.
    • Here's a tip for determining how much water to add to your whisky. Add a couple drops at a time until the stinging or burning sensation in your nose you get from smelling the alcohol disappears.
    • Why add water to your whisky? Water dilutes the whisky. At stronger alcohol contents, the alcohol in the whisky can mask some of the more unpleasant flavors or aromas. When you take that heady alcohol smell and taste away, the true spirit of the whisky starts to shine through. Adding water separates the men from the boys, so to speak.
    • Try covering the whisky with a cap of some sort (try a clean coaster, for example) and let it mellow for 10 to 30 minutes. This will give the whisky enough time to interact with the water, producing a better drinking experience.
  7. 7
    Repeat the whole process, this time with the diluted whisky. Swirl, nose, taste, and savor the whisky again. How does it taste diluted? How is the whisky any different from what it was undiluted? What things do you notice now about the whisky that weren't apparent on the first pass? Continue drinking and savoring the whisky slowly, preferably with friends.

Part 3
Enhancing the Scotch Drinking Experience

  1. 1
    Make your own blends. Who says you have to rely on distilleries to blend the whisky for you? You can make your own blends quickly and easily, and to good effect with a little bit of practice. Here's the basics of how.
    • Start with two whiskies, preferably from the same distiller. Two different kinds of Bruichladdich might work well together, or two different vintages of Talisker. It's easier to blend whiskeys that were sold by the same distiller.
    • Blend a very small amount of two or three whiskeys and set aside for a week or two. This is your "test run," designed to see whether you enjoy the final product. If, after two or three weeks, you like the blend, you can be reasonably sure that blending more won't result in total disaster.
    • Take an empty whiskey bottle and fill it almost to the brim with your new blend. You can use 50/50 of two whiskies, or 45/55, or even 33/33/33 of three. The choice is yours. Filling your bottle up almost to the brim neutralizes some of the oxidation that can affect the taste of your whisky.
  2. 2
    Once you open a bottle of whisky, drink it within a year. As soon as you expose your precious whisky to O2, the spirit starts losing some of its character. Oxygen starts converting the alcohol into vinegar. So drink responsibly, but don't sip so slowly that your cargo turns into undrinkable acid. Bottoms up!
  3. 3
    Experiment with wood-aging yourself. Whisky is aged in oak barrels, but the whisky entrepreneur can also learn how to age spirits himself using string and a toasted twig of wood. Try experimenting with woods such as birch, cherry, or oak for extra flavor. Of course, only use this technique to enhance whisky that leaves something to be desired; very good whiskies probably won't benefit from extra wood aging.
    • Make sure the branch or twig is small enough so that it will fit inside your whisky bottle.
    • Heat your branch or twig in the oven for several hours on low heat to remove all moisture.
    • With a blowtorch, lightly toast the branch. The goal here isn't to char; you just want to toast the branch or twig to give it extra aroma.
    • Fasten the branch to a piece of string and submerge it in your whisky, tasting the whisky every 30 minutes. You don't need to submerge the branch long to have a big effect on taste. 30 minutes to an hour is sometimes all it takes to produce a nice enhancement.
    • Note: Be sure that the type of wood you're using is safe to use in whisky. Some types of wood are poisonous to humans and/or won't produce a pleasant taste or aroma. Your health should always be your first priority.
  4. 4
    Try to refrain from adding ice. Of course, if you like your whisky cold and super-diluted, go for it. But most whisky drinkers consider ice to be passé. Cool temperatures tend to mask certain flavors, and over-diluted whiskey is more water than whisky, anyway, right?
    • If you really want your whisky cold, try using whisky rocks instead. They can be put in the refrigerator or freezer and, if manufactured properly, don't leave an aftertaste.
  5. 5
    Try your hand at starting your own whisky collection. Of course, if you're just a beginner, this may seem a bit odd. But many people consider whisky collecting a fun and enlightening hobby. Here are a couple things for you to consider when starting your own collection:
    • Buy what you enjoy drinking, not what you think will be worth big bucks later on. The whisky auction market is quite volatile. Prices fluctuate often. The best bet for collecting is to stick what you like; that way, if the price of whisky plummets in ten years, or doesn't outstrip inflation, you'll still be happy drinking your whisky.
    • Keep your receipts. Keep your receipts in the whisky bottle itself. It's a nice little reminder of what you paid, and helps you enjoy the whisky more once you finally decide to pop the cork.
    • Keep your stash in different places. If a snooping child or a devastating fire were to hit your stash, it pays to diversify. Don't keep your eggs all in one basket.

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Do people use scotch for shots?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Yes, but it's usually those who just want to catch a buzz and not enjoy the flavor profile of the scotch. You want to savor your drink, enjoy it, fully experience it.
  • What is the best thing to mix with whisky or can it be served neat?
    wikiHow Contributor
    You shouldn't mix it with anything, except mineral water. Try water, then graduate to neat.
  • Can I drink or serve scotch whiskey that has not been opened for 30 years?
    wikiHow Contributor
    It's perfectly safe to drink/serve it, provided it was appropriately sealed. Exposure to air converts the whiskey to vinegar.
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  • Although Scotch whisky can certainly be enjoyed in cocktails, a fine whisky is often better tasted neat.
  • Be sociable when drinking Scotch. A scotch savored with friends is almost certainly better than a scotch endured alone.

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Categories: Featured Articles | Spirits and Liqueurs

In other languages:

Italiano: Bere Scotch Whisky, Português: Beber Whisky Escocês, Deutsch: Schottischen Whisky richtig geniessen, Русский: пить шотландский виски, Français: boire du scotch, Español: beber el whisky escocés, 中文: 品尝苏格兰威士忌, Bahasa Indonesia: Meminum Scotch Whisky, Nederlands: Schotse whisky drinken, Čeština: Jak pít skotskou whisky

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