How to drink whiskey correctly - when you need it not with your mouth, but with your mind. How to drink whiskey correctly and what to eat: advice from bartenders, what goes well with whiskey? Carbonated drinks: cola, pepsi, soda

Whiskey is considered one of the most noble alcoholic beverages. It is made from grain by malting and distillation, followed by aging in oak barrels. Typically, the aging period is two to five years, but elite varieties can be aged for more than 20 years. Many varieties are blended, which allows them to give them a unique taste and aroma. Whiskey has a pleasant shade from golden amber to honey brown, the fortress has from 40 to 60 degrees. Following the "instructions" from some films, many of our compatriots are sure that they need to add cola or soda, as well as ice, to this drink. Experts are categorically against this approach. If you want to fully enjoy the bouquet of a noble drink, you should learn how to drink whiskey correctly.

Features of use

The culture of drinking is called such, as it has certain rules. Whiskey tasting is a kind of ritual that has several indispensable requirements.

Whiskey is drunk in the afternoon, usually a couple of hours after lunch or dinner.
The ideal temperature of the drink is 18-20 degrees. At a higher temperature, the smell of alcohol comes to the fore, at a lower temperature it is impossible to feel the aroma of the drink. Cool it to the desired state with the help of special stones, trying not to use ice. If the drink is stored in a cool room, it will almost certainly be at the right temperature.
It is customary to drink good varieties of whiskey in its pure form, too strong drinks can be diluted with water. A glass of water in this case is served separately. Cheap whiskeys and American bourbon made from corn do not have a subtle flavor and can even have unpleasant notes. These drinks can be diluted with mineral water, cola, soda or used to make cocktails.
Expensive whiskeys are served in flutes or glasses shaped like a tulip. Cheaper ones are served in roks - cylindrical glasses with a thick bottom. You can also serve an expensive drink in roxxes - some sommeliers claim that the bouquet opens up just as well in them. Often, tumbler glasses are chosen for whiskey tasting - a type of rock with a particularly thick bottom.
Fill glasses of whiskey only a third. Usually this portion is 35 ml.
Drink whiskey slowly, savoring every sip.
There is an unspoken rule: whiskey should be consumed in a chamber setting, and not in a club where there are a lot of people.

In Scotland - the birthplace of scotch (one of the types of whiskey) - there is a rule of "five S":

Sight (admire) - says that before you taste the whiskey, it makes sense to evaluate its shade by admiring how the light plays in the glass.
Smell (inhale) - appreciating the beauty of the shade, you can connect your sense of smell and inhale the aroma of whiskey, feeling its rich bouquet.
Swish (savor) - after sipping whiskey, you should hold it in your mouth for a few seconds, savor it.
Swallow (swallow) - swallowing whiskey, you will feel that its taste has changed.
Splash (dilute) - due to the fact that it is not always easy to evaluate a bouquet of strong alcohol, the Scots often prefer to dilute it, but in moderation and only with pure mineral water without foreign taste and smell, ideally from the same source as water was taken to make the whiskey itself. Connoisseurs advise diluting whiskey exclusively with Speyside Glenlivet Natural Mineral Water - mineral water from springs in Scotland.

Obviously, if you enjoy whiskey according to the above rules, you will not drink much of it, so it is quite possible to do without a snack. It is not customary to bite it, but in some cases this rule has to be violated.

What to eat whiskey

True connoisseurs of whiskey will be horrified to learn that you intend to have a bite of such a noble drink, thereby eclipsing and interrupting its unsurpassed taste. However, even they will not mind too much if you serve an appetizer with relatively inexpensive whiskeys. It is advisable to think about an appetizer if you understand that not all guests will taste whiskey, stretching the pleasure, and there will be those among them who will drink glass after glass.

The choice of whiskey snack will depend on the type of drink:

whiskey varieties with smoky notes are suitable for meat dishes and liver pate;
it is advisable to offer seafood to a drink with herbal notes;
if alcohol has a sweetish aftertaste and fruity notes in the bouquet, then you can supplement it with non-acidic fruits - a melon is considered a good snack option.

In some countries, whiskey is eaten with chocolate or served with buttercream or a similar dessert.

Fruit can serve as a possible snack and cocktails made from whiskey and other ingredients.

Whiskey Sour Cocktail

bourbon (American whiskey) - 45 ml;
lemon - 0.5 pcs.;
sugar - 5 g;
water - 20 ml;
chicken egg - 1 pc.;
ice - to taste;
lemon peel spiral - 1 pc.;
cocktail cherry - 1 pc.

Cooking method:

Mix sugar with water and heat over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cool the syrup to room temperature.
Wash the egg well. Break up, separating the protein from the yolk.
Beat with a mixer into a thick foam.
Squeeze the juice from half a lemon, mix it with whiskey and sugar syrup. Place the resulting mixture into a shaker.
Add ice and a teaspoon of protein foam. Shake the shaker vigorously several times.
Fill glass with cocktail, garnish with zest and cocktail cherry.

If you doubt the quality of the egg and are afraid of contracting salmonellosis, you can do without protein.

Al Capone cocktail

whiskey - 40 ml;
martini "Rosso" - 20 ml;
sugar syrup - 10 ml;
ice - to taste;
cocktail cherry - for decoration.

Cooking method:

Prepare sugar syrup as directed in the previous recipe.
Pour ice into the shaker, fill it with whiskey, vermouth and sugar syrup.
Whisk. Pour into glass and garnish with berries.

Such a cocktail can be served in a cone-shaped martini glass.

New York cocktail

whiskey - 40 ml;
pomegranate syrup - 10 ml;
lemon juice - 20 ml;
ice - to taste.

Cooking method:

Mix liquid ingredients.
Put ice cubes in a glass, fill with the prepared mixture.

You can decorate the glass with a slice of lemon or orange.

Cocktail "Devil's Dozen"

whiskey - 20 ml;
apricot juice - 20 ml;
orange juice - 20 ml;
ice - to taste.

Cooking method:

Mix two types of juice with whiskey.
Fill the glasses with the resulting mixture, placing them on the bottom of each ice cube.

Decorate the glass with a cocktail cherry or orange zest. Such a cocktail is more like ladies, who, in fact, are also not averse to drinking whiskey.

Cocktail "Bora Bora"

scotch (Scotch whiskey) - 40 ml;
lime - 20 g;
grapes - 20 g;
crushed ice - to taste;
vanilla liqueur - 20 ml.

Cooking method:

Put thin slices of lemon and grapes on the bottom of a rock glass, add crushed ice. Lightly crush them with a spoon.
Pour in the liquor, then the whiskey.
Gently mix the ingredients with a straw.

The drink does not need additional decoration, it looks aesthetically pleasing on its own.

Cocktail "Apple Jack"

whiskey (ideally - Jack Daniel's) - 50 ml;
apple juice - 150 ml;
ice - 100 g;
lemon - to taste;
cinnamon - 1 stick.

Cooking method:

Mix whiskey with apple juice.
Fill a glass with crushed ice.
Pour in the prepared cocktail.
Garnish the glass with a slice of lemon and dip a cinnamon stick in it before serving.

The cocktail has a fresh taste and a pleasant bouquet, it is easy to drink, it is liked by the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity.

Cocktail "Whiskey with milk"

whiskey - 30 ml;
milk - 60 ml;
sugar syrup - 100 ml;
ice cream - 20 g;
ice - to taste;
nutmeg - on the tip of a knife.

Cooking method:

Combine milk with whiskey, sugar syrup, ice and nutmeg. Shake with a mixer or shaker.
Pour into a glass, garnish with a scoop of ice cream.

The sugar syrup in this cocktail can be replaced with cream liqueur.

Viper Bite Cocktail

whiskey - 30 ml;
tequila - 30 ml;
ice - to taste.

Cooking method:

Mix the ingredients in a shaker.
Strain. Pour into a tumbler glass.

The drink is strong, and it is as cunning as a snake. It should be drunk with great care.

Whiskey is the favorite drink of many famous personalities. It is said that Margaret Thatcher also treated him with great respect. Scottish wisdom says that there are no people who do not like whiskey - there are people who have not found their variety. You can only find it if you know how to taste whiskey correctly in order to fully appreciate its taste and aroma.

Etiquette is not only about opening the door for a girl or being able to use a knife and fork. Every self-respecting man should know how to drink whiskey correctly and what to eat. You will learn about all this in the text below.

General rules for drinking a drink

There are a number of postulates that you need to know before touching a bottle with the inscription "Whiskey":

The temperature of alcohol should be 5-7 degrees below room temperature. To do this, put the bottle in the refrigerator for a while or add ice to the glasses immediately before the meal;
The drink was created for tasting alone or in a circle of close friends. Clubs and other noisy events will spoil the magic of the process;
First you need to stock up on special glasses for the drink. Their shape with a wide bottom and a narrow neck allows you to preserve the original aroma.

The drinking process includes the following stages:

Raise the glass to the light and admire its contents;
Bring the vessel to the nose and draw in the aroma of the drink;
Take a small sip and hold it in your mouth for a while;
Let the drink flow into the stomach;
Add some water to the glass at a temperature of 40-50 degrees.

What do they drink whiskey with and what do they eat?

The Scots, who have been setting the tone for whiskey consumption around the world, have long been preferred to drink strong drink "clean", not spoiled by a snack. But the idea of combining a drink with food is finding more and more adherents, and even the most persistent Celtic traditions are unable to resist it.

The basic principles of choosing food for expensive alcohol:

The taste of food should not be allowed to dominate the aroma of alcohol. Food and drink should harmoniously complement each other, reveal new facets of taste;
Contrary to popular stereotype, cheeses are not the best dish on the table next to a bottle of Scotch. The strong smell of some cheeses can spoil the whole impression of an alcoholic meal;
But what needs to be added to alcohol is spices. Spices such as cinnamon, basil and thyme give a unique taste;
You can not abuse heavy food. The consequences of such a feast will make themselves felt the next morning with an extremely severe withdrawal syndrome;
Overeating is also not allowed: food accumulated in the stomach prevents the absorption of a strong drink, which is why it seems to a person that he has not drunk enough.

Domestic traditions of snacks

High-quality alcohol came to the country only with the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, expensive brands reached domestic tables only at the beginning of the 2000s, when the middle class could afford this luxury. For a short 18-20 years, the alcohol culture in our country has not yet been formed.

The list of Russian whiskey snacks is small, but original. Here is the recipe for one of them:

Cut soft cheese into pieces (up to 0.3 kg);
Sprinkle it with a little dill;
Put the salmon fillet on a plate so that it covers it completely;
Cover the fish with a "coat" of cheese and dill;
Decorate the dish with crab sticks and chopped boiled egg rings on top;
In the middle you can put a small piece of fish;
Cover the plate with a bowl and refrigerate for 2-3 hours;
When serving, sprinkle the dish with lemon juice (to taste).

The dish can be colorfully decorated by serving it in several tartlets or glasses with a wide base.

What is customary to eat whiskey?

An appetizer for this type of alcohol is far from an idle question. The existence of persistent national traditions in terms of drinking brings a lot of confusion for beginners. The problem is further complicated by the fact that each type of drink requires an individual approach.

The most general principles regarding the snack for the national Scottish drink are as follows:

Almost all varieties, without exception, get along well with red fish, beef tongue and fried liver;
Expensive species of fish, especially salmon, have long taken their rightful place among true alcoholic gourmets;
The taste of some varieties - "Jameson", "Finest", "Glenmorangi" - is fully revealed only in combination with seafood. Fruit or meat can only drown out the original taste of alcohol;
The above rule does not apply to such brands as "Red Label" and "Famous Grouse", which seem to be created in order to drink meat (beef, lamb and others) with them.

Almost all brands of whiskey are perfectly complemented by a bar of dark bitter chocolate. A slice of melon will also come to the court. Thus, it will be possible to reveal the whole gamut of taste of expensive and high-quality alcohol.

Popular cocktail recipes

Experimenting with expensive brands of alcohol is considered bad form. The unique taste given by the manufacturer cannot be defiled by other substances. But cheap blends can be diluted and even necessary.

Candidates for a glassmate can be:

Ordinary drinking water. The Celts serve whiskey on the table along with warm water without gas. This is done to reduce the turnover of the strong drink. The taste remains unchanged;
Freshly squeezed fruit juices. They are in demand among the younger generation: at parties, discos, clubs, etc. The temperature of the juice should be lower than that of alcohol. The most popular is pineapple, followed by apple, grape and orange;
Soda accustomed to adding inhabitants of the New World to the glass. In Europe, the recipe does not find supporters, since the original taste of the drink disappears and the process of intoxication accelerates;
If you fill a glass of whiskey by 30% vermouth, you get one of the most popular cocktails - "Manhattan".

What to eat whiskey with cola?

In pursuit of unusual sensations, many pour a fair amount of sweet soda, such as Coca-Cola, into alcohol. The resulting mixture is one of the most popular cocktails in the world and requires special serving.

Here's what goes with this simple cocktail:

Unleavened dough baskets filled to the brim with olives and bits of cheese;
Fruit mix from cutting such overseas gifts as lemon, orange, grapes, tangerine, etc.;
Smoked fish (especially mackerel) will not be superfluous;
Sea scallops with shrimp in lemon juice;
Seafood to taste can be served at the table without special processing;
It is allowed to eat alcohol with Japanese sushi;
You can make small toast sandwiches made with fish and cheese.

In general, an appetizer must be organized, focusing on the strength of the resulting solution, namely, the proportional ratio of alcohol and cola. Uniform standards for the use of this cocktail have not yet been invented, so everyone is free to improvise as much as their imagination is enough.

However, not a single glass of whiskey, even if mixed with cola, should be without ice cubes.

Living in developed countries have a long tradition of how to drink whiskey properly and how to eat it. In our country, the culture of drinking is in its infancy. But the Russians are quickly catching up, and step by step they are discovering the world of high-quality alcohol.

Video: what is the right way to drink whiskey?

In this video, bartender Anatoly Astakhov will tell you what is considered right to drink such an alcoholic drink as whiskey:

Irina Kamshilina

Cooking for someone is much more pleasant than for yourself))

There is no unequivocal answer to the question “what is better to drink whiskey with”, because everyone drinks this drink due to their own desires and taste preferences. It is worth noting that expensive long-aged alcohol is drunk without drinking and without snacks. In other cases, you can use it with anything - add soda, cola, ice, apple juice and other drinks.

How to drink whiskey

Scotch whiskey drinking etiquette is different from Canadian whiskey. The Scottish are divided into four stages:

"Look". The first point means that it is worth taking a closer look at the drink after it is in the glass, assessing the color, degree of viscosity and transparency. Whiskey color and aging are independent of each other, so enjoy the contemplation of the liquid.
"Smell." Next, rotate the whiskey, allowing the aroma to unfold. You will feel the ethereal tones of candies, figs, woody freshness, tones of flowers, malt, the smell of nuts and a faint smoky aroma - all these smells are characteristic of a quality drink.
"Take a sip." When you get to the main point, gently touch your lips to the contents of the glass. When it is in your mouth, hold the drink for a while, do not swallow immediately. Thanks to the expectation, the taste will be revealed to the maximum.
"Swallow." This stage is not the process of drinking alcohol itself, it is a sip to feel the aftertaste. After it, it will become clear to you how long it lasts, and whether you will continue to enjoy the taste of scotch.

For those who like to relax with a glass of elite alcohol with a high degree, it is important to know and remember that frequent use is harmful to the body. In addition, scotch has a high calorie content, so you should not get carried away with it: this applies to those who monitor their health and figure. It is recommended to drink whiskey daily in small doses only for people who have had a stroke.

with cola

What do Americans drink whiskey with? The answer is unequivocal - with Coca-Cola. The combination of these two drinks is an American improvisation, which was supported by gourmets around the world. The recipe for drinking whiskey with cola is simple: take scotch tape and add sweet water in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2. Without a doubt, after mixing, the exquisite taste and magnificent aroma of a noble drink is lost, but due to the large amount of glucose in the glass, alcohol spreads faster throughout the body.

with soda

According to the rules of drinking alcohol, you need to drink high-quality scotch with the addition of natural or slightly carbonated water. In this case, the whiskey must be at least three times more in quantity. In establishments, whiskey and water are served in different glasses, so that each guest has the opportunity to mix the components himself - this will allow you to make a cocktail of the desired taste and strength. In Scotland and England they drink the drink like this.

With ice

The tradition of adding ice to alcohol came to us from the USA. Then the Americans tried to slightly neutralize the oily taste of draft whiskey, and the action produced a successful result. Often, ice is thrown into special glasses with bourbon and blend. Those who prefer to drink single malt scotch say that with ice, the taste of alcohol becomes less expressive, the pleasant aroma is lost.

With apple juice

Mixing scotch is better with freshly squeezed apple juice. So it is more beneficial for the body, and the aroma of the drink will not deteriorate. Strong alcohol diluted with juice is the surest way to make delicious cocktails. Mix 50 gr. Black Label whiskey with 200 ml of fresh apple juice, a few ice cubes can be added to the glass. These two components are perfectly combined, endowing the consumer with excellent aroma and taste.

What to eat whiskey

An alcoholic drink appeared many years ago, so the Russian people have already developed certain customs and taste combinations of the drink with some products. At every celebration, everyone tries to put on the table a lot of different snacks for alcohol. What appetizer for whiskey, what kind is most suitable? For example:

Foie gras, beef tongue, game. Pairs well with spicy, smoky, fruity flavors (William Grant's The Family Reserve, Williams, White Horse Fine Old, Teacher's Highland Cream, Passport Scotch).
Smoked salmon. The best product to pair with soft whiskeys (Jameson, Famous Grouse Blend).
Seafood. Any processed marine life is suitable for herbal flavors (Jameson, Ballantines Finest, Glenmorangie).
Beef, lamb. What is a full-fledged holiday without meat and scotch with a smoky peat aroma? Tasty cooked meat is served with such varieties: Dewar's White Label, Johnnie Walker Red Label, Famous Grouse.

For lovers of stronger drinks, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the rules, and its other varieties.

Video: with what and how they drink whiskey

Whiskey is a drink that has many types and types. Often people do not know how to drink this unique drink. But in fact, everything is very simple.

You can drink it the way you like.

How to drink whiskey?

Some prefer to drink whiskey neat, while others mix it with ice, cola, etc. People in different countries have their own drinking traditions. But, despite this, the classical canons require drinking a good drink in its pure form, while following these rules:

1. Furnishings. It is recommended to taste the drink at home. Take a break from all everyday worries, turn on quiet music and relax. This drink is strong (40-60%), so you should drink it in the evening.

2. Temperature. Whiskey is desirable to cool to 20 ° C. If the drink is warmer, the alcohol will be felt more strongly, and if it is colder, the aroma will be partially lost.

3. Glasses. There are 2 opinions here. The first is that you need to drink whiskey from rocks (special glasses with a thick bottom), and the second - from wine glasses.

4. Proper serving. The bottle must be wiped with a towel and put on the table. Please note that there are no flowers nearby, because they can interrupt the aroma. If the company consists of men, then the owner, or each guest independently, pours himself a drink. It is recommended to fill the glass by a third. If there are ladies in the company, then the man watches their glasses, topping up the drink.

5. Tasting process. Whiskey should be drunk in small sips. First you need to evaluate the aroma, then hold the drink in your mouth, thanks to this, the aftertaste intensifies.

What do they drink whiskey with?

Despite the fact that true connoisseurs do not recommend drinking diluted whiskey, many people, due to the strength of the drink, interfere with it like this:

1. With soda or ordinary water. By diluting whiskey with soda in a ratio of 1: 1, you can achieve a softening of the taste.

2. With cola. This is a wonderful ingredient that can mask the taste of low-quality whiskey. Also, sweet soda can give tart malt alcohol a great taste.

3. With vermouth. This drink is sweet and dry. The taste of vermouth will set off the taste of whiskey. So, one of the popular cocktails, which includes whiskey and vermouth, is Manhattan.

How to make a whiskey cocktail

4. With lemon juice. The lemon complements the flavor of the whiskey rather than masking it.

What to eat whiskey?

Cheese and fruits are considered a traditional whiskey snack, but there are a lot of products that go well with the drink and reveal the taste! It is recommended that before ordering a dish in a restaurant, open a bottle of whiskey and feel its aroma. However, there are some general guidelines:

Classic whiskey appetizers include: cheese plates, including soft cream cheeses with fruit flavors, fried aromatic meats, canapés with smoked fish, cheese and fruits. In some countries, dry sausages are used as snacks.

Soft varieties of the drink are combined with fish, as well as seafood. Smoked salmon or salmon is best suited to whiskey, seafood - a cocktail made of fried scallops and shrimp with the addition of oil and aromatic spices. Oysters go well with whiskey.

American whiskeys are served with traditional American snacks: sweet cakes, grapes, chocolate and marshmallows.

With Japanese whiskey varieties, sushi, sashimi, tofu soy cheese are ideal. A good whiskey is a luxurious drink with a rich taste. The editors of the site hope that our article will help you get the most out of the drink and good company.
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The Scots say: whiskey should be drunk by mouth. Unfortunately, this sarcastic phrase is taken too seriously by many. Drink by mouth and nothing more. Drink whiskey from anything, with anything and with anyone. Therefore, read the article and drink whiskey WISELY!

Of course, everyone has their own preferences and everyone has the right to drink noble drinks as he pleases. But even being a complete layman, you don’t need to stoop to the level of stupid people - the culture of drinking is not called culture for nothing. And the modern culture of drinking whiskey in our country, unfortunately, was formed during the cult action movies of the 90s: “whiskey with ice”, “whiskey with cola”, “whiskey with soda” ... These phrases were imprinted in the minds of the inhabitants of the former Soviet Union, because they were pronounced they are the mouths of their favorite heroes. In those films, everything is straight about the Americans - neither to themselves nor to people.

In the wonderful film "Layer Cake" whiskey is drunk correctly. Craig's hero, by the way, in this scene drinks exclusively Irish varieties: Locke's and Tryconnell.

There is no crime in this. For the time being, everyone can stumble, make mistakes, be simply not informed. But how much is possible? I would like to immediately quote one banal, but no less philosophical phrase: the worse the quality of the drink, the less conventions! Forgive me, walking Johnny, but Johnnie Walker Red Label can be safely poured with cola, soda, and sprinkled with ice. This will not make the drink better or worse. Drinks should be treated differently, in which they have invested, if not their soul, then at least normal raw materials and technology. You should start changing your attitude with a glass ...

Which glasses are suitable for whiskey tasting

It's the tastings. Whiskey is not beer and, moreover, not vodka. Drinking it in bottles is at least not reasonable, after all, not a cheap booze. It needs to be savored and done in the right atmosphere. That is why do not order a drink in a club or a noisy place where all the same vodka, beer and cheap cocktails would be more appropriate. The ideal atmosphere is a cozy house or apartment, a pleasant quiet place. A good friend or just a nice conversationalist is welcome.

Whiskey, in terms of chemistry, is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. It contains a lot of various impurities that have different densities and the ability to dissolve in water. Due to the special properties of the liquid, the top layer of the drink forms a "cork", which "locks" the flavors of the drink.

In Hollywood, whiskey is drunk from rocks, heavy straight glasses with a thick bottom (old fashion, tumbler, drums). Experts have long come to the conclusion that this form of glasses is not suitable for tasting noble varieties of whiskey aged more than 10 years (especially unique malts). In such a glass, the aromas are really "corked", and its open shape does not contribute to the accumulation of odors.

It is best to drink whiskey from tasting glasses, or rather from the so-called whiskey tulips. This is a small glass on a leg in the shape of a tulip bud. Complex aromas are concentrated in it, thereby helping the olfactory organs to understand and fully experience the main component of the drink's organoleptics. It is very important! Try to cover your nose with your fingers and drink anything - without your nose, you will only feel the bitterness-sweetness-sourness-cornedness and the temperature of the drink.

A little trick for beginners. If the smell of strong alcoholic beverages is too strong for your sense of smell, do not inhale it "directly". Feel free to stick your nose into the glass, but inhale through your mouth. Thus, the rough evaporation of alcohols is cut off and it becomes possible to evaluate all, I will call it, “the fine aromatics of the drink”. A very useful life hack for girls who are usually not supportive of strong alcohol smells.

Single malts, which are considered more "difficult" to understand, are best drunk from glasses designed by the great glassblower and designer Georg Riedel. His whiskey glasses are shaped like a thistle, practically the national symbol of Scotland. They fully reveal the aroma of molts and solve the problem of "liquid surface tension".

We sorted out the glasses - tulip-shaped tasting glasses. In extreme cases, you can use cognac glasses, but in them the aroma becomes more alcoholic. The glass should be filled no more than 1/3.

What to drink whiskey with and the rule of five "S"

The Irish prefer to drink their whiskey neat, because Irish whiskey is softer and easier to drink than Scotch. In Scotland, whiskey is drunk neat (“straight”), with the addition of water or with the addition of ice (“on the rocks”). “Yeah,” you say, “dirty Scots got caught ...”. Now imagine a malt with the so-called “cask strength”, that is, 60% or more. You can drink such varieties only in a diluted form, otherwise you can burn your mucous membranes and not feel the taste at all. There is also an opinion that water helps to reveal the taste and aroma of the drink.

The Irish have their own opinion on this matter:

Don't steal someone else's wife and don't water down someone else's whiskey!

Irish folk wisdom

Water can be added, but only if it does not have any foreign odors and taste. Ideally, which is difficult for our regions, it should be taken from the sources of Scotland, and preferably from the source from which the water was taken when preparing the tasting drink.

As for ice, no, no, and no again. With the principles of diffusion, I think everyone is familiar? So, all aromatic esters begin to evaporate at room temperature (18-20 degrees), so whiskey should be consumed just at this temperature. Ice will cool the drink below the prescribed 18 degrees, which will lead to the complete loss of any aromatic qualities in the drink.

And finally, the Scots, when tasting their national product, apply the rule of five "S" (after translation, the rule of five "Ps"):

S ight (view) - evaluate the color and saturation of the drink, its viscosity.
S mell (smell) - appreciate the whole gamut of whiskey flavors undiluted.
S wish (savor) - take a small sip and, as it were, “chew” the drink so that it completely disperses through the tongue.
S wallow (swallow) - take the first sip, appreciate the sharpness and softness of the drink.
S plash (splash water) - if you see fit, dilute the whiskey with water.

These rules apply more to Scottish blends, that is, mixed varieties. Molts are best drunk in pure, undiluted form. Strongly heated whiskey (over 20 degrees) can give off excessive alcohol, so it should be cooled down a bit. Ice is not suitable, because after melting it dilutes the drink and inhibits the evaporation of aromatic oils. It is best to use the so-called "soap stones", which are popularly called -. In high circles, cooled jade is used instead of such stones.

As for snacks, it is, in principle, not welcome. But before and after drinking the drink, you can taste dishes from game, partridge, venison, trout, salmon and pheasant. Chocolate alcohol is not recommended for medical reasons. In Ireland, locals like to add unaged (no more than 3 years) whiskey to coffee, tea and dairy products (milk and cream). It was there that a wonderful drink was born.

If you can not drink pure whiskey - do not drink expensive varieties, take pity on others. Jack Daniels (cheap bourbons) or Johnnie Walker Red Label (fucking scotch) can be diluted with other drinks and used as an ingredient in cocktails (for example). Whiskey pairs very well with apple juice.

Summing up, video and more

Cola - no, ice - no, snack - no! You can drink lousy whiskey even with pickle. Noble varieties, molts, expensive blends drink either in pure form, or slightly diluted with water, just a couple of drops. Temperature - from 18 to 20 degrees. If a drink connoisseur has come to visit you, offer him your best molt, but put good, purified water nearby. If you're lucky, get Speyside Glenlivet Natural Mineral Water for this purpose, created specifically for this purpose. Pour the drink in small portions - a maximum of 1/3 of the volume of the glass. The Scots usually drink whiskey in drams (about 35 ml).