Forget craft gins and trendy tequila – the smart crowd are heading back towards a top-shelf classic: whisky. If you think that the average whisky drinker is a ‘gentleman of a certain age’ or that you can only enjoy this unique spirit on holiday in Scotland, think again. Whisky is big and predicted to be – like gin has for the past few years – the uber-trendy drink in the coming months and years. So, if you want to become a serious whisky drinker, what do you need to know? What’s the difference between a single malt and a bourbon? Why are there two different spellings of the word ‘whisky’? And are whisky cocktails really a thing? Here’s your brief guide to how to enjoy the king of spirits.
What is the difference between whisky and whiskey?
It’s all down to location. Whisky (without an ‘e’) comes from Scotland and Japan, while if it’s spelt with an ‘e’ (i.e. “whiskey”), then it’s usually of Irish or American descent. And just to add a bit of extra confusion into the mix, bourbon is almost exclusively American.
You’ll find that the different types of whisky can have very different flavours. Bourbon is a much richer and heavier drink. It’s usually sweeter than whisky or Irish whiskey. This is all down to how the spirit is made and then matured.
Irish whiskey has an almost fruity, light flavour that’s incredibly smooth. It mixes well with other flavours, and it’s gorgeous, golden amber colour adds real depth to any dinner table or cocktail bar.
Whisky from Scotland is perhaps the most nuanced and complex, and the flavour will differ from one brand to the next, even if the distilleries are just a few miles apart! It’s all to do with the distillation process, what kind of barrels are used to hold the liquid while it matures, the type of spring water used, and how it’s stored. From smoky and peaty to light with toffee and caramel notes, whisky is a drink that you never stop exploring.
Is it really that trendy right now?
Thanks to some big-name influencers discovering the joys of whisky drinking, it’s hugely on-trend and getting even more popular every day. The old image of a whisky drinker sitting in a smoky gentlemen’s club or shooting grouse on a Scottish moor is long gone. New brands of whisky have hit the market that make a simple soda mix or ‘highball’ over ice a great casual drink at a club – it can even be paired with food. But it’s the cocktail explosion that’s really made whisky drinking popular.
Because of the complexities of the flavours, whisky lends itself well to mixing up with other ingredients. But before you go throwing it into every single cocktail you can think of, there are a few guidelines that’ll help you get the most out of your Manhattan or Whisky Sour.
Try your Whisky Neat
Try a nip neat to get a real handle on the flavour – Whisky can be sweet and full-bodied, rich and peaty or light and delicate. If you want to get a real handle on your whisky, try a little nip neat (literally just a few drops) and let it sit on your tongue for a few seconds. Making whisky cocktails is all about getting the balance of flavours just right, so if you have a sweet Canadian bourbon with lots of maple and toffee top notes, you can balance it out with the sharpness of lemon for the ultimate Whisky Sour. A more peaty whisky goes well in a Rob Roy, where it’s complemented by sweet red vermouth and Angostura bitters.
Ignore the ‘Grape and Grain’ Rule
There’s an old saying that you should never mix ‘grape and grain’ (i.e. wine and spirits). However, there are cocktails out there that throw that rule out of the window. The Maple Syrup New York Sour is essentially a classic Whisky Sour topped off by a layer of red wine. It dates all the way back to the 1880s and is a true ‘floater’ cocktail that’ll wow your guests at any dinner party.
Mix it Up
Mix in some unusual ingredients – A traditional Whisky Sour includes egg white to give it a frothy foam top. If you’re not keen on the thought of a raw egg in your cocktail, then you can leave it out. But be adventurous, and you’ll discover a wealth of new flavours and textures.
Make Some Fruity Favourites
Fruity favourites – whisky always goes well with fruit, especially citrus. This combination is the perfect mix if you’re a new whisky drinker. You’ll find plenty of cocktail drinks out there that embrace the sweet tang of orange or the sharp, fresh flavour of lemon or lime.
Are you ready to become a whisky drinker?
If you’ve never tried whisky before, now’s your chance. From 12-year-old single malts that can be savoured with water (or even over ice, if you ignore the purists) next to a roaring fire to cheeky cocktails and fresh-tasting blends teamed up with a simple mixer, whisky drinking is all about experimenting and trying new things. Gin may have been hogging the limelight for the past couple of years, but whisky is where it’s at now – and about time too.
