How to Acquire a Taste for Whiskey

Co-authored by Tom Blake

Last Updated: December 1, 2022 References

A liquor drink many people enjoy, whiskey is produced in many varieties around the world. Given the extensive amount of options when it comes to whiskey, some people find that it takes time and effort to gain a true appreciation for this kind of liquor. To slowly acquaint yourself with the flavor, you can drink whiskey on its own or mix it with other ingredients. After a little practice, you can acquire a taste for whiskey and will be able to order it confidently.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Ordering and Drinking Whiskey

1
Learn about the different varieties. There are quite a few varieties of whiskey that vary mostly in composition (what it’s made out of) and how it’s aged. Most whiskeys are made out of fermented grain mash (barley, corn, wheat, or rye) and aged in oak casks for a number of years^{[1]
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- Scotch is whiskey made in Scotland, usually from malted barley.
- Bourbon is whiskey made in the United States, usually from corn.
- Rye whiskey is made from at least 51% rye.
- Single malt whiskey is whiskey created at a single distillery, though the distiller may combine whiskeys from many different casks to achieve the desired taste.
- Blended malt whiskey is whiskey made from the products of multiple distilleries.
- Single cask whiskey is whiskey is produced from one individual cask at a single distillery location.
2
Order your drink. There are quite a few ways to drink whiskey. You can drink it alone, you can take it as a shot, you can order it as an ingredient in a mixed cocktail. The choice is yours.
- Neat: This is a way to order whiskey meaning it is served without any ice, water, or mixer. It also means it will be served at room temperature, not chilled.
- On the rocks: This is a way to order whiskey meaning it is served with ice cubes.
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3
Smell the whiskey. Bring the glass to your nose and take a whiff. Be sure to keep your mouth open slightly while smelling the whiskey to get the full palate of scents. Try to pick up what scents you’re smelling. Perhaps it’s a floral bouquet, or maybe something a bit sweeter. Maybe you notice a woody, earthy tone.^{[2]
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- Put your nose actually inside the glass to get the best angle for smelling. This will help you fully appreciate the range of the bouquet.
4
Sip your drink slowly. Take a small sip of the whiskey and hold it in your mouth for a few seconds. Roll it around your tongue. Some people even recommend “chewing” the whiskey a bit while it is inside your mouth to fully appreciate the flavor.^{[3]
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- Once you have tried the whiskey unaltered, try cutting it with a dropper full of water. The water will bring out different flavors and aromas that complicate the tasting.
5
Understand the terminology. In order to acquire a true appreciation of whiskey, in all its various forms, you need to familiarize yourself with some of the basic terminology used in producing, describing, and ordering whiskey. Some of the most important terms include:^{[4]
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- Cask: A cask is an oak barrel that the whiskey is stored in while it ages in the distillery. Most whiskeys are aged for at least three years in a cask, while others age for longer periods of time (even as much as 25 years).
- Proof: This basically indicates the amount of alcohol in a particular whiskey, or how strong the drink is. The number corresponds to twice the amount of alcohol content by volume. For example, a whiskey that is 60% alcohol would be 120-proof. The larger the number, the stronger the drink will be.
- Maturation: This is the amount of time that the whiskey is left in the wooden cask to age (or mature).

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trying Different Varieties

1
Taste various brands of whiskey. Rather than just sticking to one type of whiskey, try branching out and tasting a variety of different brands from different distilleries. This will expose your pallet to new tastes and flavors, and really help you acquire a taste for whiskey.^{[5]
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- Some of the most popular whiskey brands include Bell’s, Ballantine’s, Black Velvet, Dewar’s, Crown Royal, Jameson, Suntory, and Glenfiddich.
2
Try whiskeys from other countries. Different countries produce whiskeys that taste quite different from each other. To become a true connoisseur of whiskey, you’ll need to branch out and begin trying some varieties produced in other countries. Some popular whiskeys include:^{[6]
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- Scotland: Laphroaig, Glenfiddich, Bunnahabhain
- Ireland: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Bushmills
- United States: Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, Wild Turkey
- Japan: Nikka, Yamazaki, Hakushu
3
Compare different ages of whiskey. Try whiskeys of different ages produced by the same distillery. Choose a whiskey you enjoy and try a younger one (3-4 years) and then taste an older one (12-15 years). Compare them side by side and consider the different smells, flavors, and aromas that you sense in each.^{[7]
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- In general, it’s probably true that older whiskeys taste better (and are more expensive) than younger whiskeys because of the greater length of time that was spent aging the liquor. However, this isn’t true across the board.
- Many people say that 8-9 years is the best age for most whiskeys. If the whiskey is aged too long, it can take on too much flavor from the wood and become bitter.
4
Go to a whiskey tasting. One great way to expand your knowledge of whiskey is to attend a whiskey tasting. Many local bars and distilleries will host events in which you are provided with an assortment of whiskeys and you even get to learn a bit about the products.
- These events usually aren’t free, but it’s often a good value for the money.
- Check your local bars for any information about upcoming events.
- You might even want to consider hosting your own whiskey tasting for you and your friends.
- You could also consider taking a trip to visit a distillery, which is highly recommended if you want to learn more about whiskey.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Mixing Whiskey with Other Ingredients

1
Make a whiskey sour. This is a classic, yet simple, drink to make and a great way to enjoy whiskey. Simply combine 2 parts whiskey with 1 part lemon juice and 2/3 part simple syrup. For example, you could combine 2 fl oz (59 mL) of whiskey with 1 fl oz (30 mL) of lemon juice and ²⁄₃ fl oz (20 mL) of simple syrup.^{[9]
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- If you’re ordering in a bar, just ask for a whiskey sour. You can even specify what kind of whiskey you’d like.
2
Try an Old Fashioned. Place 1 teaspoon (4 g) of sugar (or 1 sugar cube) in a glass. Add 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters and a few drops of water. Pour 2 fl oz (59 mL) of bourbon or rye whiskey into the glass and stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Add several big ice cubes and stir the drink quickly to help cool it to the right temperature.^{[10]
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- This is one of the most classic and highly regarded mixed cocktail drinks in the alcohol world. You can’t go wrong ordering a drink like this.
3
Add Coca-Cola. While many people think of rum and Coke as a classic go-to drink, plenty of people prefer adding whiskey to Coke instead. If you’re making them yourself, just add 2 parts whiskey and 1 part Coke.^{[11]
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- If you’re ordering in a bar, simply ask for a whiskey and Coke. Don’t forget to tell the bartender what kind of whiskey you’d like if you have a preference.
- Of course, this will detract from the pure taste of the whiskey, so it’s probably best not to use super expensive whiskey if you’re going to add Coke to it.
4
Create a Manhattan. To make this drink, you’ll need to combine 2 fl oz (59 mL) of rye whiskey or bourbon, ³⁄₄ fl oz (22 mL) of sweet red vermouth, and 2 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters.^{[12]
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- In bartender lingo, a dash equals a few drops. So 2 dashes would equal approximately 4-6 drops of Angostura aromatic bitters.
- Note that a Manhattan can be bitter.
5
Concoct a Rol and Rye whiskey cocktail. Try this recipe: Combine 1 ¹⁄₂ fl oz (44 mL) of rye or bourbon whiskey with 1 ¹⁄₂ fl oz (44 mL) of Aperol in a tall glass filled with ice. Pour a bit of club soda over the top and add an orange wedge as a garnish.^{[13]
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- There are thousands of cocktail recipes that include whiskey as the main ingredient. Try making a few different kinds to find one that you love. Or order some varieties at your local bar.