Drinking Whisky Correctly: These Tips Will Help You Do It
Do you want to treat yourself to a whisky or two? Here you can learn how to drink whisky correctly and what to look out for. This is how it works!
Choosing the perfect glass and drinking whisky correctly
Have you ever seen a James Bond film? In the film, they use the wrong glass. They drank from a tumbler. If you want to drink whisky correctly, explore and enjoy the aromas, that glass would be far too wide. Above all, the "nosing" would suffer.
During "nosing," the existing aromas are not optimally guided to the nose. Instead, the aromas dissipate if you want to drink neat whisky from a tumbler. It would be a shame if the precious aromas went right past your nose.

If you want to drink whisky correctly, opt for a nosing glass. A nosing glass tapers upwards. The opening is significantly smaller than a tumbler, so the whisky aromas are optimally directed to the nose.
However, if you don't have a nosing glass at hand and want to drink a simple whisky correctly, you can also use a conventional whisky glass. But if it's more complex drinks, reaching for a nosing glass is essential to drink the whisky correctly.
It's best to simply try it out. If you place less importance on nosing and instead want to drink the delicious beverage directly, you could also use any glass. For true whisky lovers and fans, however, the optimal glass is part of drinking whisky correctly.
Drinking whisky on the rocks: Is that actually appropriate?
Whisky with ice is well-known to many people, although it is not recommended. You've probably seen it in films and series. You may even have experienced it live in a bar that whisky was served on the rocks.
However, you should avoid this at all costs if you want to drink whisky correctly and experience the taste. The ice removes the taste and fine whisky aromas, so you no longer notice any of the delicious nuances. But why don't you taste anything when whisky is served with ice?
The spirit is heavily watered down by the ice. In addition, the drink is cooled down too much. As a result, you no longer taste anything of the fine flavor. If you want to drink whisky correctly, drink it without ice.
If the whisky is too warm for you at warm temperatures, you could use a trick to cool it down a bit. You could lightly cool the whisky with metal without watering it down. To do this, place the metal in the freezer just before enjoying the whisky. This way you can also drink the whisky correctly without watering it down.
But also remember that the correct drinking temperature is room temperature. A good dram always tastes best at room temperature. With a very simple Bourbon whisky, you can make a small exception and enjoy it a little cooler. However, you should enjoy very exclusive drops at room temperature and thus drink the whisky correctly.
Drinking neat whisky: Always a good idea for high-proof spirits
True whisky connoisseurs agree that high-quality whisky tastes best neat. If the drink should ever be too strong, you could simply add a few drops of water. But make sure that it's really only a few drops. Too much would dilute the drink too much.

If you are a beginner in the world of whisky, you could take part in a whisky tasting. Whisky connoisseurs will show you many tips and tricks, including how to drink whisky correctly. Perhaps you will even find a whisky that completely suits you during a tasting.
During a tasting, you try different types of whisky. First, "nosing" takes place, i.e., smelling the aromas. It's similar to a tasting when you buy gin. There, too, great importance is placed on nosing.
After that, it's on to the tasting. A drinking temperature between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius allows the aromas to unfold wonderfully both in the nose and on the palate. This is an important point if you want to drink whisky correctly.
The specialists will also tell you how to drink whisky correctly. They will certainly also advise you not to drink a Single Malt Whisky on the rocks.
Of course, you can also try drinking whisky with ice. But you will quickly realize why the experts advise against it. In no time, you will also want to drink your whisky correctly: without ice.
“Nosing” as an important component: Drinking and enjoying whisky correctly
Before you drink the first drop of whisky, "nosing" is an important component. With your sense of smell, you can usually detect countless aromas that you don't perceive during tasting. If you want to drink whisky correctly, it is essential that you take your time for smelling.
During "nosing", you constantly change the distance from the glass to your nose. You gradually move closer to the whisky from the outside. You will notice some differences during the journey.
If your nose is further away from the glass, vanilla aromas might appear particularly prominent. The closer you get your nose to the glass, the more intensely you perceive the alcohol. But the aromas also become more intense.
However, don't move your nose too quickly and too far into the glass. The alcohol could numb your mucous membranes. You will then hardly perceive subtle aromas. But beginners are also confronted with this problem, as their nose is not yet accustomed to the alcohol.
A small tip from our team at delicando: It is best to swirl the whisky gently in the glass occasionally. This usually changes the aromas significantly, as they now truly rise to the top.
Now drink whisky correctly: Enjoy step by step
Perhaps you have already drunk whisky. If that is the case, you know that the first sip is not particularly expressive. If you want to drink whisky correctly, the aromas must first spread in your mouth and on your tongue.
When whisky touches the tongue, beginners often first experience a sharp or bitter taste. The reason for this is that beginners are not yet accustomed to alcohol.
Therefore, it is important to take a small sip first if you want to drink whisky correctly. To get used to it, let the whisky circulate throughout your mouth. After the first sip, the second one follows, bringing you significantly more aromas.
The entire tongue must be coated with the whisky. At the tip of the tongue, you perceive sweet nuances. Salty and sour aromas are perceived in the middle part of the tongue. The back of the tongue is responsible for bitter taste aromas.
The longer you keep the whisky in your mouth and it mixes with your saliva, the more pleasant and sweet the taste becomes. It is best to first sort your impressions and consider what the flavors remind you of.
For whisky beginners, it is often not easy to classify the taste. With a little practice, however, this also works, so that it is fun to drink whisky correctly.
Tasting several whiskies: How to do it right
If you want to taste several whiskies, there are a few things to consider. First, take into account the alcohol content of the drink. Start with the lowest alcohol content. Also, pay attention to the smoke content. If the first whisky is too smoky, it may overpower the next drinks.
Between the different whisky varieties, you should best neutralize the taste with cool mineral water. But you should also neutralize your nose. For this, it is best to smell a glass of fresh coffee beans.
Once you have a neutral taste in your mouth and smell in your nose again, you can start with the next whisky. This is very important if you want to drink and get to know whisky correctly.
But you also have to give the whisky time. Some varieties, which you can also find in our whisky shop, only truly unfold their different aromas if they are left in the glass for 30 minutes. The taste can change significantly over time. Some aromas may also be weakened.
It is best to experiment a little with regard to time. You will notice many differences. But this is the only way to find the right drink for you and ultimately drink your whisky correctly.

Drinking whisky correctly: Which whisky with which dish?
Whisky is not suitable for food. The complex taste of the drink would be distorted by the side dishes. For a festive meal, fine wines are more appropriate. Luckily, you can also buy a variety of wines from us.
With a simple whisky, however, you could enjoy a dark cocoa-rich chocolate. This mixture is recommendable, provided you can do without the fine nuances of the whisky. Just try it out and experience what it's like to drink whisky correctly!
FAQ – Questions and Answers
What is the best glass to drink whisky from? +
Whisky best unfolds its aromas in a nosing glass, as its tulip-shaped opening optimally concentrates scent and taste.
What is the best way to drink whiskey? +
Whiskey is traditionally drunk neat, but can also be enjoyed with a splash of water or a few ice cubes, depending on personal preference.
Should you drink whisky with or without ice? +
Neat, the taste and structure remain more authentic, while ice makes the whisky milder.
How much whisky is ideal for a tasting? +
Two to four centiliters are sufficient to clearly perceive the scent and taste.
What is the difference between whisky and whiskey? +
Whisky usually comes from Scotland, whiskey from Ireland or the USA and follows the respective regional spelling.
Where can you find a good selection of whiskies to try? +
You can find a wide selection of high-quality whiskies from different regions and styles at delicando, allowing you to easily discover new favorites and compare various flavor profiles.

