There are a few timeless ways to appreciate a good glass of whisky—a tot on the rocks never hurt. But when you remember that you have free will and can enjoy your whisky any way you want, why not spice things up a little? If you’re looking for a unique way to try your favourite beverage, boy, we have a few intriguing options for you.
Don’t shy away from flavours
Whisky purists might look down on us for suggesting this, but ultimately, the best whisky is the one you enjoy. So, if you’re looking for something different but don’t want to get too crazy, you might want to try flavoured whisky.
While most whiskies have their own distinctive flavour, when we talk about flavoured whiskies, we’re referring to infused whisky. Don’t knock it till you try it, especially those coffee enthusiasts and chocoholics out there, you may enjoy coffee-infused whisky or one of the many chocolate-flavoured whiskies available on the market.
Add a splash of water
Next, and this one is great for people who are only feeling a little experimentative, you may enjoy diluting your whisky with a few drops of water. Water can actually enhance the flavour and change the taste up a smidge by removing the burn but allowing the flavours to remain. That said, there is a specific way to add water to whisky—it’s not as simple as pouring a shot of whisky and then topping it up with tap water.
Generally, you would only use a small drop of water to dilute the water; if you use more, it may alter the flavour too much. It is recommended that you only use still water with whisky. Tap water is typically filled with chemicals and minerals that could possibly alter the flavour of the whisky and make it less enjoyable. Ice can have a very similar effect. While it cools the whisky, as it melts, it can also dilute it.
Try warming it up to make a hot toddy
While it may sound unconventional, this way of drinking whisky is particularly enjoyable in the colder months and regions. Whisky is one of the few alcoholic drinks that still tastes good when warmed up. Whisky is typically stored in a cooler area at standard room temperature, but it’s not uncommon for individuals to heat it up by mixing it with hot water, honey, and lemon to make a hot toddy. A hot toddy is a cocktail known to clear the sinuses or soothe a sore throat. Trust us, when winter rolls around, this is one way to make the most of your whisky.
Mix it up with some tea
While we’re riding the hot train, another way to enjoy your tipple is by adding tea as a mixer. The benefit here is that you can mix tea with whisky, whether it’s hot or cold, and it will taste good either way. Tea and whisky complement each other extremely well, with their unique flavours working harmoniously to create an overall enjoyable experience. Similarly to water, tea also dilutes the whisky, taking away the burn and allowing the other notes to be more noticeable.
Try a classic cocktail
Life is too short not to try a cocktail! There are several classic whisky cocktails that you might enjoy. To start with, you might want to try a popular summer cocktail, like the mint julep or Kentucky Mule. If you’re looking to get a bit more adventurous, a whisky sour is another zesty cocktail idea that is sure to tantalise your tastebuds.
Trying a cocktail is about enjoying the drink and your experience. For this reason, ordering one of these cocktails from a bar allows you to see how it’s made, so you can truly see what it tastes like when a pro makes it. Then if you find that you like it and are confident with your mixology skills, you could try making them for yourself and your friends.
Use whiskey as a substitute for other liquors in cocktails
We still say that you can’t go wrong with the classics, but again, the right whisky for you is the one you enjoy. However, if you enjoy the flavour of whisky over other spirits that are typically used to mix cocktails, then why not simply replace those spirits with whisky? For example, if you’ve ordered an Espresso Martini, switching out the vodka for a single malt could embolden the coffee flavour in the Martini and give it a whole different mouthfeel.
Where to get your whisky?
Testing out unique ways to drink your whisky is one thing, but it won’t really matter unless you’ve got a good one. You could try going at it by yourself, or you could check out this helpful page from The Whisky Club and join their whisky subscription. This will allow you to see all the information you need to know about different award-winning whiskies every month, and you get to choose whether or not you want it. It gives you exclusive access without committing to paying every month—unless you want the bottle, of course.
Final Thoughts
It’s time to mix things up when enjoying whisky. After all, life is too short. Are you really willing to miss out on potentially finding your new favourite way to enjoy whisky for the sake of keeping to the status quo? Who knows, you might even start a new trend.
