The Perfect Pour: How to Drink Whisky Like a Gentleman

All whisky drinkers have their own ways of consuming the spirit, depending on the setting and mood. In a bar and club scene, we will see casual drinkers who mix their whisky with simple soft drinks or soda, engaging mixologists to make delicious cocktails, while you might also see a neat shot opened up with a few drops of distilled water at home by the fireplace. Overall, drinking whisky is a social activity that helps to relax your body and exchange conversation with others, regardless of how much of a connoisseur you consider yourself to be.

Whether you're new to whisky or a seasoned drammer, there's a lot you can do to create the perfect gentleman's drink.

Find Your Preference

One of the most important aspects of drinking whisky properly is drinking the right whisky and not letting yourself be swayed too much by other people's opinions and rules. This means two things:

1. Find the whisky you like
2. Figure out the way you like to drink it

By sipping slowly, you will be able to drink many different variables and finally find your favourite whisky type such as sherry forward Speyside whisky, vanilla & caramelising Bourbon whiskey, floral & fruity Irish whiskey, & many many more.

After you've found your favourite flavours, experiment with different drinking styles. Whether this means starting with a fizzy mix of Coca-Cola (even though this is frowned upon in the whisky community), adding a shot of lime with some soda, or even just over a single ice block, it's up to you to figure out what you like best.

Choose the Right Glass

Glassware selection is essential as it can help to focus or diversify the flavour for different drinking environments, dramatically affecting the overall enjoyment of the drink. To fully enjoy the whisky, I will strongly recommend a Glencairn nosing glass. The tulip-shaped design and narrow opening can help concentrate the aromas and vapours and direct them towards your nostrils, intensifying your perception of the accompanying taste.

However, if you are someone who has a sensitive nose but enjoys a gentle drink, I would suggest using a tumbler glass instead as the more open brim allows for greater evaporation of the aromas, leading to a less complex, but also milder, flavour.

Pace Yourself

Whisky is never meant to be chugged in one mouthful—always pace yourself and sip it gently. While there's no right answer as to how long a drink should take, a good starting point would be 15-30 minutes to sip a 25ml glass of whisky. Doing so allows you to identify the flavours better while also keeping you stable and able to enjoy your whisky throughout an event.

Pair It Right

Whisky history has been developed for almost 200 years now and has been found to accompany many different types of foods extremely well while also clashing with some other flavours.

Good Food-Whisky Pairings

• Cheese

  The strong taste of cheese (especially aged cheeses like sharp cheddar) is a great savoury accompaniment to a complex and smoky whisky.

• Curries and stews

  A peaty whisky, like the Lagavulin 16, pairs well with spicy dishes like Indian curries or complex stews.

• Dark chocolate

  Let's be honest, what doesn't chocolate go with? But if you're drinking whisky, you might find a better pairing with a dark and bitter chocolate to complement the complexity of whisky.

Bad Food-Whisky Pairings

• Salads

  Salads and other light foods have a very subtle flavour that can be easily overwhelmed by the intensity of some whiskies.

• Overly sweet desserts

  While whisky can go well with certain chocolates and other similar flavours, overly sweet desserts can overwhelm the palate and throw off the balance of the whisky.

• Vinegar

  Dishes that are heavy in vinegar and salt, like some Asian-style recipes, are strong in flavour and can clash with tones of whisky.

4 Bonus Tips on How to Drink Whiskey Properly

1. Always drink your whisky with a group of like-minded friends.
2. Drink it slowly and allow your creativity to tell you the story of the whisky.
3. Sipping whisky allows you to manage your consumption levels. If you start to feel too tipsy, take a rest or stop for the night.
4. Drinking is an enjoyment, but you also need to keep a lookout for your wallet and drink within your budget. Find out what whisky is more suitable for your budget.

Drink Your Whisky the Way You Like It

If you are able to follow the article and build up your smell and palate memory, you will not only increase your drinking knowledge but also improve your overall experience and open up new avenues. However, never forget that whisky is meant to be enjoyed, so if you try something out and decide that it's not for you, don't be afraid to take a step back and return to what you like.