Connoisseur Corner - how to drink whisky?

Whisky or whiskey?

Whisky...

It's popular alcohol made of grain mash distillation, which is produced of grain, yeast and water. The distillate matures in wooden, mainly oak, barrels characterized with exceptional conditions. First of all, they are tight and do not leak, but at the same time they let the whiskey breathe. What does that mean? The barrelled distillate is in contact with the air that penetrates through the pores of the wood, so it can ripen. It is worth adding that the word whisky comes from the Gaelic language, in which it is known as uisge beatha, meaning water of life ...and that's also often referred to as the golden beverage. This alcohol is produced in many places in the world, so whiskey and whisky differ from each other.

Generally, the difference between whisky and whiskey comes down to to the ingredients used in their production process. Under the name of whisky, this beverage is produced in Scotland, but also in Canada and Japan. Traditional Scotch whisky it's the alcohol being made of barley malt, doubled distilled which must lie in oak barrels for at least 3 years. It is also indicated that whisky should have a more peaty taste than whiskey. 

Whiskey it's a whiskey-like alcohol, except that it is mainly produced in America and Ireland. Americans make it from corn but Irish whiskey manufactured from barley malt and distilled three times.

Types of whisky

There are several types of whisky that differ in the way they are produced and the type of products used for their distillation.

• Single Malt Whisky, or malt whisky, is alcohol from a single distillery that is produced from barley malt, without the grain addition. An extremely important element in the production process of Single Malt Whisky, influencing its taste, is the drying of barley malt on peat-burning stoves. Whisky ripe for several years in wooden, usually oak barrels, in which other drinks such as sherry, Porto or bourbon were previously stored.
• Single Cask Whisky is malt whisky from one barrel - which means that this beverage comes from only one barrel, one distillery and one distillate. This type of whisky is very rare and very expensive.
• Blended Malt Whisky, or malt whisky, also known as Pure Malt, is nothing more than a mixture of malt whisky from different distilleries.
• Grain whisky is an alcohol that is made from at least one type of grain, but other than barley malt. Usually wheat, rye or corn is used for its production.
• Blended whisky is a mixed whisky, which is by far the most popular type of whisky in the world. It is made by combining, from several to even several dozen species, Single Malt Whisky with Grain Whisky.

How to serve and taste whisky?

When serving whisky, we should take care of its proper setting. To make drinking of the golden drink a real ritual, it's worthwhile to equip oneself with accessories that will make its taste even better, and the consumption of the water of life will become pure pleasure. So, how do you drink whisky?

Whisky glasses...

First of all - in suitable glasses. We shouldn't forget this, because the glass in which we serve the amber drink has a great influence on its taste. The right glasses get the best out of whisky - its the incredible smell and all the taste. Whisky glasses are low and usually have the shape of goblets - wide at the bottom and tapering upwards. In addition, they have thick bottom with a square or round shape. These types of glasses are perfect they lock the aroma of alcohol inside them. The following are very popular Crystal glasses for whisky. The connoisseurs believe that golden alcoholic beverage in crystal glass tastes different than in an ordinary glass. Without a doubt, the whisky looks great in crystals.

What's the temperature perfect for drinking whisky? It is indicated that this beverage tastes best if it is served at room temperature. The entire taste and aroma are then perfectly felt.

A true connoisseur of the water of life should keep it in a decanter. Whisky decanter is a perfect and extremely impressive replacement for an ordinary bottle, which will perfectly expose whisky on the table or in the home bar top. When choosing this elegant vessel, let's focus on model equipped with a stopper to protect the alcohol from being aired. It is worth betting especially on glass carafe or traditional, tastefully presented crystal carafe.

You already know how to drink whisky and at what temperature to serve it, so it's the highest time to approach its tasting, which starts by looking at the colour of the drink. The longer the whisky has been in the barrel, the more intense the color will be - from amber to ruby. Then gently move the glass around and pay attention, how the alcohol flows down its walls. If quickly that means our whisky is quite young. Older whisky will flow much slower. Then engage your sense of smell and gently smell the liquor, trying to feel all the richness of the whisky flavours - from fruity, honey, floral to marine, herbal and peat. And finally, it's time to taste! Take a sip, spread it across your tongue and start enjoying the taste of aromatic alcohol.

It is good to be able to enjoy your favourite drink in different situations, not just at home. This will be possible if you will stock up on flask. The most classic models are rectangular and slightly curved - to fit the body well. 

I'm sure many of you have immediately come to mind - with a Coke! And rightly so, in the end Coke and whisky is a real classic, although not only with this drink, the golden beverage tastes delicious. Whisky has a very specific and recognizable aroma, it is excellent in many different flavour combinations. So, what else to drink whisky with?

• with juices, nectars and fruit drinks;
• with fizzy drinks, such as Sprite, tonic;
• with fruit syrups;
• with fruit liqueurs, e.g. blue curacao, triple sec, liqueur, cherry, melon or currant;
• with herbal liqueurs such as Sambuca, or Italian aniseed-fruit and herbal liqueur, or Jagermeister, or German herbal and root liqueur;
• with champagne;
• with milk;
• with sweet cream.

Whisky tastes equally good served on ice only. Preparation of ice cubes will be easier if you equip yourself with ice accessories. Though it's worthwhile to be careful not to exaggerate with the amount of ice cubes, which may dilute our whiskey, which will undoubtedly reduce its taste. That is why a great alternative to traditional cubes, which do not require water, are whisky stones. Just put them in the freezer, wait for them to reach the right temperature, then throw them in the whisky glass. This is an extremely simple and practical gadget, which keeps the temperature of the golden drink pleasantly low for a long time.

Or maybe you'll tempt yourself to whisky with a little water? There is nothing wrong with combining whisky with water - especially if we reach for a really strong species. Adding water reduces the alcohol content, while also making aromatic compounds found in the water of life become more perceptible. It is recommended that such a mixture contained 1/3 water and 2/3 whiskey.

The following combinations are better avoided. We don't drink whisky with:

• vodka,
• rum,
• cognac,
• brandy,
• gin,
• tequila.

You know almost everything about whisky! So buy a good bottle of water of life, sit down comfortably in your favourite armchair, grab a glass of amber liquor and engage your senses: sight, smell and taste. First, start enjoying the colour, then the smell, and then try and enjoy the taste and aroma of a delicious, noble drink.