How To Drink Whisky: 5 Simple Ways to Enjoy It Right

We all know it's the bitter truth that whisky can be intimidating. With so many things to consider, like the notes of leather and smoke or people smelling and swirling glasses with anxious expressions, you might feel left out or wonder if you're not doing the right way when you just want to enjoy a good drink. Maybe your tongue feels burning in the first sip, and that might make you question how people drink this amber liquor so easily or perhaps you've nodded along when someone describes a whisky as "peaty" while having absolutely no idea what's all that means.

The good news? There's no whisky police, and enjoying this incredible spirit doesn't require a sophisticated palate or years of training. Whether you're new to whisky or looking to enhance your experience, these five simple ways will help you appreciate whisky on your own terms.

1. Neat: The Purest Choice

What it means: Neat refers to pouring whisky straight into a glass with nothing added - no ice, no water, no mixers, nothing at all.

How to do it right:

• Use a tulip-shaped glass if you have one - it concentrates the aromas

• Pour about 1-2 ounces (a standard shot)

• Let it sit for a while to open up and release aromas

• Slowly take smaller sips rather than gulping them down

• Keep the whisky in your mouth for a while before drinking it whole.

Best for: If you only seek premium whiskies where you love to experience the full flavours without the hindered character of the whisky taste, sipping neat is surely the best way to drink whisky. Make it extraordinary with single malts and aged whiskies like the 12 or 18-year-old.

Pro tip: If you feel alcohol is giving too much of the burning sensation on your palate, try breathing through your nose as you sip as it can help minimise the burning feels.

2. With a Splash of Water

What it means:  A splash of water is exactly what it means like adding a little splash or just a few drops of normal-temperature water to your whisky.

How to do it right:

• Start with whisky in your glass

• Add water in small portions (literally just drops at first)

• Mix it slowly and carefully swirl the glass

• After every addition, taste to figure out where it hits the mark.

Best for: Whiskies with higher proof (over 100 proof/50 per cent ABV) or any whisky that you find too "hot" or alcoholic.

Pro tip: A splash of water can open up whisky flavours that were masked by alcohol. So don't think it's just diluting the whisky by adding water, instead, it's an absolute chemistry that even whisky experts follow and recommend.

3. On the Rocks

What it means: Serving whisky over ice cubes.

How to do it right:

• Add bigger ice cubes if possible as it melts slower

• Don't put too much, just 1-2 cubes will do the perfect job

• Let the whisky get chill for 30-40 seconds before drinking

• Savour and sip through flavours as the ice slowly melts.

Best for: This way of drinking whisky works best with Bourbon and blended whiskies that are great for casual sipping, especially in the warmer days.

Pro tip: Try using whisky rocks or putting your glass in the freezer for a few minutes beforehand if you notice that your whisky is becoming overly watered down.

4. In a Classic Cocktail

What it means: Using whisky as the base for cocktails or mixed drinks.

How to do it right:

• Start with these beginner-friendly classics:

• Old Fashioned: Whisky, sugar, bitters, and an orange peel

• Whisky Sour: Whisky, lemon juice, and simple syrup

• Manhattan: Whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters

• Take a decent standard whisky instead of a top-shelf one, the expensive stuff is the best when sipped neat.

• For the perfect balance, measure ingredients rather than eyeballing them.

Best for: The best approach for those who aren't much fans of whisky yet or great for social gatherings and parties to introduce new flavours to your fellow liquor lovers.

Pro tip: The goal of a well-crafted whisky cocktail is to bring out the whisky's flavour rather than suppress it. Still, the whisky should be the main highlight.

5. The Food Pairing Approach

What it means: Combining whisky with complementary foods to enhance both experiences.

How to do it right:

• Try these easy pairings:

• Bourbon with dark chocolate or caramel desserts

• Scotch with aged cheese (especially blue cheese)

• Irish whiskey with smoked salmon

• Rye whisky with spicy dishes

• Take a small sip of whisky, then a bite of food, then another sip

• Notice how the flavours interact and change each other

Best for: House parties, celebratory moments, festive occasions, or whenever you want to explore whisky's versatility.

Pro tip: Cleanse your palette with just a cracker or a sip of room-temperature water during your pairings.

To sum up, drinking whisky isn't about following the hard and fast rules- the ultimate goal is to enjoy the drink in whatever way fits the best to you. In this guide, these five approaches are just the starting points, not commandments.

The "right" way to drink whisky is whatever makes you happy, whether that means mixing it into an appealing cocktail that is easier on the palate or enjoying it neat to appreciate every single flavour note. Your preferences may change over time, or you may realise that various scenarios demand different ways.

Whatever way elevates your experience, what matters most is that you take the time to embrace this incredible spirit, not the "correct" way. At Liquor Loot, we know great whisky experiences don’t need to be complicated. Explore our curated whisky collection, shop the best dram, pour yourself a glass, give these methods a try, and uncover your whisky-loving paradise!