Whisky Insider - Whisky Tasting
How to drink Whisky
Which aroma and taste you bring out,
how you serve it, mix and combine it:
that’s all yours to decide
Pure
Neat
All you need to enjoy whisky neat is a glass. Nose and then chew the liquid before swallowing: this gives your senses a chance to embrace all those flavours.
Simple
Water
Any fresh water, ideally spring water, can really open up a Single Malt Scotch Whisky – especially cask strength whiskies. Add a drop at a time, and see what works for you.
Smooth
Ice
Adding ice to a Single Malt Scotch Whisky can certainly make it a more refreshing drink, and chilling can open up some other, more delicate notes. But you’re unlikely to find ice in your glass at a whisky tasting.
Whisky Cocktails
Find new whisky cocktails to try
Lagavulin
Whisky Sour
A whisky sour based on the strong peat smoke typical of southern Islay whisky. The strong flavour, attractive garnishes and delicious mixers of this cocktail make it the ideal party drink.
Ingredients
50ml Lagavulin 8 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 35ml lemon juice 12ml 2:1 sugar syrup 2 dashes Angostura bitters ½ fresh egg white Ice
Cocktail recipe
1) Place the ice in your shaker. 2) Pour 50 ml Lagavulin 8 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky into the shaker. 3) Add the full amount of lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white to the shaker. 4) Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. 5) Serve in a glass filled with ice. 6) Garnish with a lemon peel and a dash of Angostura bitters.
Johnnie Walker Black
Johnnie & Ginger Highball
Johnnie Walker Black Label Highball A fresh interpretation of a whiskey cocktail is this Johnnie Ginger. This sophisticated creation combines the smoky, spicy and fruity flavors of Johnnie Walker Black with the sweet, sparkling notes of ginger ale.
Ingredients
45ml Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky 150ml Ginger Ale 1 squeeze lemon juice 1 lemon wedge 1 x Large Glass 2 alcohol units per serving
Cocktail recipe
1) Fill glass with ice 2) Pour 45ml of whisky 3) Add 150ml of Ginger Ale 4) Squeeze lemon juice 5) Garnish with lemon 6) Stir and enjoy!
The Singleton
Manhattan
The yin to the martini cocktail's yang, the Manhattan is one of the all-time great classic cocktails, a rich, sweet blend of whisky, vermouth and bitters that’s generally stirred into perfection.
Ingredients
50ml Singleton 12-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky 25ml Sweet Vermouth 1 dash(es) Angostura Bitters 1 twist(s)Orange 1 piece(s)Maraschino Cherry
Cocktail Recipe
1) Using a jigger, measure 50ml Single Malt Whisky, 25ml sweet vermouth and a dash of angostura bitters into a mixing glass. 2) Fill mixing glass with ice and stir with a bar spoon. Using a strainer, strain into a martini glass. 3) Garnish 4) Using chopping board and sharp knife slice an orange twist and add on top of the drink, along with one cherry, to garnish.
Classic
Old fashioned
The nice and easy recipe is made up of three simple ingredients – whisky (traditionally rye or bourbon) + bitters (Angostura) + sugar – blended for a delicious cocktail to sip on with friends at any celebration. From Scotch instead of bourbon, ginger garnish instead of orange, the Old Fashioned can be easily switched up with a few small tweaks to cater to different tastebuds.
Ingredients
50ml Talisker 10 year Single malt scotch whisky 5ml sugar syrup A dash of bitters Ice
Cocktail Recipe
1) Add ice to a mixing glass 2) Add a dash of bitters 3) Add sugar syrup 4) Add Talisker whisky 5) Serve and enjoy
Whisky and Food
A little experimentation reveals some natural partners on the palate
Whisky with
Seafood
Salty, maritime whiskies like Talisker love seafood. Use it to accompany oysters or smoked salmon, and discover new depths of flavour.
Whisky and
Cheese
Peated, earthy and smokey Single Malt Scotch Whiskies like Lagavulin have a natural affinity with the intensity of a salty or mature cheese.
Whisky and
Vegetarian Dishes
Light, dry and even smoky whiskies like Caol Ila or Knockando find the savoury notes in vegetarian dishes such as tapenade or vegetarian haggis.
Whisky and
Meats
Smooth, sweet and dry whiskies like The Singleton of Glen Ord bring out the rich complexity of character in air dried sausage, Parma ham or even mutton pie.
Whisky with
Savoury Bites
With tapas or snacks, it's about finding the Single Malt Scotch Whisky that matches best: rich, full bodied whiskies love big flavours like olives or pate, lighter malts excel with more subtle snacks like unsalted nuts.
