What's the "right" way to drink Whiskey?
Often.
6 Answers
There is no right or wrong way to drink a whiskey, or whisky for that matter. It all depends on the booze and your preferences. When it comes to cheap whiskey, I like it on ice with lots of water because I don't want to taste how bad it is. If we're talking high-end, such as a Single Malt Scotch, most purists believe in drinking in neat with the addition of a few drops of spring water to open up the flavors. After being bottled for so long this tends to "awaken" the whiskey in a sense. If you're drinking a cask strength whiskey it's best to add a splash of water because too much alcohol will numb your taste buds. If ice is to be used, an ice ball is preferred, but any dense larger ice cube is good so it won't water down the flavor you paid your hard earned money on. Either way you drink your whiskey, always make sure to share with those around you!
Ask the bartender. Some are best neat, some are better if you throw 1 ice cube in (or a little bit of water) because they open up. There's no real universal answer, because they're all a bit different. If it's cheap, load up on ice: it's much harder to taste anything when it's really cold.
Are we talking a good quality single malt or a blend?
If drinking a good blend JW Blue or a nice single malt (try one of the Islay varieties pronounced Eye La -- very peaty not for everyone) there are some definite do's and don'ts:
While one may partake in a fashion they please, there is actually an appropriate etiquette especially when drinking a single malt.
1) Use a snifter
2) Room temp
3) Small splash of water to open it up (especially important for the stronger cask strength offerings)
For a more nuanced description:
www.maltmaniacs.org/ADHD/guide-08.html#
Most whiskeys taste better with a drop of water. A splash is a little too much in my personal opinion. But some single malts are better neat. Many low end whiskeys are only worth mixing or in a lot of ice to cut the flavor.
When you order whiskey, always order it neat, and ask for a glass of water separately. This way you know how much water is being added by doing it yourself.
Taste the water first to make sure it tastes ok. No sense adding it to the whiskey if it tastes like metal.
Taste the whiskey neat first, a small sip, and let the flavor wrap around your tongue. Then add a drop or two of water (I use a straw to pull the water out of the glass). Notice how the flavor changes. See if you like it better. Then add some ice to see how chilling and diluting further changes the flavor.
Order the second glass and drink it the way you like best.
There are several factors to this, including the brand of whiskey and personal preference. Some purists say that you pour a bit in a glass, let some air into it, and enjoy. I enjoy it chilled and as the ice melts, the water will mellow the flavor gradually. If you're going to have it "on the rocks," use big ice cubes b/c they won't melt as quickly, and be sparse with the number of cubes.