ASK a group of whiskey lovers on the proper way to drink whiskey and you’ll probably get a dozen dos and don’ts on how you can best enjoy the drink. Some whiskey connoisseurs would harp on the Jim Murray method of drinking the alcoholic beverage unadulterated while paying no attention to the first mouthful and instead chewing their way to the drink’s flavors while savoring the second mouthful. Other whiskey lovers, meanwhile, would insist on the importance of nosing and diluting their drink with water. The truth of the matter is, there’s no right or wrong way to taste whiskey. What’s important is that you are able to fully enjoy each drop of this liquid sunshine.
Making the most out of a Glencairn of whiskey is quite easy. Everyone from whiskey enthusiasts to first-time drinkers can effortlessly intensify their whiskey-tasting experience if they only put all of their senses to use.
Here’s how:
See gold with your sense of sight. Whiskey comes in a variety of hues depending on how and where it was distilled or blended. Some whiskeys have a light yellow or gold tinge, which is similar to white wine. Other blends lean toward a heavy red or dark varnish color that is almost akin to chocolate.
A nose for liquid sunshine. Before you attempt to smell your sample of whiskey, it’s best that you warm your glass with both hands. Cup the Glencairn or whiskey glass in your hand for a few minutes so that the molecules in the whiskey will soften and expand, releasing layers of aromas.
After doing this, you may or may opt not to add a drop of water you before swirling the liquor and get a whiff of your drink. Don’t be surprised if you recognize certain scents, recall various memories or identify more than one or two scents. Some of the typical aromas found in whiskies are woody, fruity, peaty and floral.
A touch and taste of goodness. Your sense of touch and taste come into play at almost the same time. Once the liquor touches your lips, tongue and gums, you immediately get a mouthfeel or gustatory perception if the whiskey is light, medium or full bodied. Your palate will also tell you if the flavors are sweet, salty, bitter, medical, smoky or spicy. The lingering aftertaste, whether it is long, fleeting or even unpleasant, is called finish.
Sounds delicious. When you’re at a whiskey-tasting party, it’s often better to listen and share your experiences with your peers. This will heighten your experience and expand your knowledge of this fabulous drink.
To help fine-tune the Philippine market’s understanding of whiskey, Grand Cru Wines and Spirits will hold a mentorship program wherein chosen students from select universities will have a chance to gain in-depth knowledge on how whiskey is produced, intimate cocktail drink-making sessions and whiskey-tastings. Student-participants will have a chance to collaborate and compete with their mentors in a live onstage cocktail-making competition.
This mentorship program also serves as the jump-off point for Whiskey Live Manila 2017, the country’s most anticipated whiskey-tasting and sampling event that will be held on October 20 and 21 at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City.
It will host to several premium whiskey brands, including the award-winning Kava¡lan whiskey from Taiwan, and hold intimate talks on whiskey appreciation from renowned experts.
or information, visit www.whiskeylive.ph.