The question of the best way to drink whiskey has been fiercely debated by whiskey drinkers around the world. However, the jury is still out. There are arguments to be made for every position, whether it be drinking your whiskey neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail. Nevertheless, Jack believed that when it comes to taste, the best way to drink whiskey is the way you enjoy it the most.

 

Cam Dawson, the UK Brand Ambassador for Jack Daniel’s, guides us through the different ways you can drink whiskey so you can find what’s right for you.

 

How to drink whiskey neat

While there are unlimited ways to enjoy whiskey, I often favour drinking whiskey neat, meaning no ice or water is added.

Drinking whiskey neat is often the favoured method amongst many a seasoned whiskey drinker because it allows you to take in the complexities and aromas of the whiskey’s flavour, as well as experience its unaltered mouthfeel; just as the whiskey’s maker intended.
 

 

How to taste whiskey

The trick when drinking whiskey neat is to slow down and savour it. For me, the joy of drinking whiskey is trying to spot the little flavour intricacies that each brand or bottling has to offer. There really is a whiskey out there for everyone, whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned whiskey aficionado. I can of course recommend any one of the Jack Daniel's range as they all have a unique character and flavour profile.

 

I always recommend starting off with your whiskey at room temperature. If it’s been kept in a warm or chilly part of the house, this can greatly affect the flavour. 

 

Before you actually drink it, you should smell (or “nose”) the whiskey. Our sense of smell and taste are very closely connected and by starting off with a ‘nose’, you will get a sneak-peak of what is to come and it will give you an idea of what flavours you might taste in the glass. It really does unlock another dimension to the tasting experience. Again, take your time here. It takes practice and the whiskey isn’t going to show you everything on the first sniff. 

 

Now that you’ve taken in the “nose” of your whiskey, prepare your palate for what's to come. Needless to say, I’d recommend you not to be eating or chewing anything when you’re trying to focus on a whiskey’s unique flavours. This would throw the whole tasting off.

 

As you take your sip, you may notice similar notes to the ones you picked up on when smelling the whiskey, whether it be light and floral tones or deep, oaky flavours. Allow the whiskey to linger in your mouth and pay attention to whether the flavour changes on your palate. The flavour profile of some whiskeys develop over time and allow new flavours to come through.

 

 

How to drink whiskey and water

While some purists prefer drinking whiskey neat, there are others who attest that whiskey and water is the correct way to drink whiskey (back home in my native Scotland, this is often the way it’s done). Combining whiskey and water drops the alcohol level and “opens up” the whiskey or allows your palate to pick up on different tasting notes that you might have missed when it was served at bottling strength.  

The colder the water that’s added, the more it will constrict the flavours in the whiskey. Some would say this prevents you from fully appreciating your drink while others enjoy the cooling effect. Remember, there is a time and a place for each and drinking your whiskey one way all the time sounds pretty dull to me. I often enjoy whiskey on the rocks in the summer months.

When mixing water and whiskey, always try it neat first so you know what you’re dealing with before diluting. The water should be added little by little so you don’t dilute the whiskey too much. If you add too much water, don’t worry, ‘more whiskey’ can fix that!

 

 

Can you drink whiskey warm?

On the flip side, warm water and whiskey can also work together. Especially when mixed into classic cocktails like the Hot Toddy during those colder winter months) The warm water can change the flavour profile of whiskey and enhance the whiskey’s aromatics, making the smell and taste more pronounced. 

Whiskey is even mixed with tea in Japan, China and other parts of Asia. Teas with soft, floral notes like Darjeeling and green tea are perfectly suited to balance out the rich, complex flavour profile of your whiskey.

Nevertheless, if the water added is too hot, it can intensify the “burn” of the alcohol.
 

 

How to drink whiskey on the rocks

Whiskey on the rocks is a timeless combination for the same reason that some add cold water to their whiskey. The chilling effect of the ice can help mute stronger flavours and the kick of the whiskey, making for a more pleasant drinking experience on the whole.

As the ice melts, the water will begin to dilute the whiskey, allowing you to taste your whiskey in a new light.

 

 

What are whiskey stones?

If you’re after a chilled, yet undiluted drink, whiskey stones are a convenient solution. They are cubes sometimes made of stainless steel but mostly made of nonporous stone such as marble, soapstone and granite.

They are kept frozen then added to a drink to bring down its temperature and offer a perfectly-cooled yet undiluted sip.

 

Whiskey mixers

Now that we’ve covered drinking whiskey neat, with water and on the rocks, let's go over the best mixers for whiskey.

 

Whiskey can sometimes be perceived to be less versatile than other spirits like vodka and rum, but this is nonsense. There are a wide variety of classic cocktails to be enjoyed and some of my all time favourites! The Manhattan is bold, herbal and intense whilst the Whiskey Mule is long, refreshing with a touch of zesty spice. If you want to discover the best whiskey mixers at your own pace, here are some pointers:

 

Ginger

Ginger is a very popular whiskey mixer due to the way its flavour can range from refreshing to warming and sweet to spicy. Learn more about whiskey and ginger.

 

Citrus

Citrus is a reliable and delicious mixer for most alcoholic drinks and whiskey is no different. Whether it's a kick of lemon in a Lynchburg Lemonade or a spritz of orange in an Unrequited Love Punch, a little bit of acidity goes a long way.
 

Coca-Cola

There's a reason why Jack and Coke is such an iconic drink. The sweetness and fizz of the Coca-Cola works perfectly with Tennessee Whiskey’s caramel & vanilla flavour to create a true American classic, that to me is a grown-up version of the coke float, with that big scoop of ice cream floated on top.