Scotch, rye, bourbon, and more! There are a lot of delicious styles for you to try. But you'll want to ensure you're enjoying them correctly. What's the right way to drink whiskey?
Vodka and tequila might be great for taking shots, but whiskeys are a drink to sip. No matter what type of blend you're buying, trust us, sipping is always the better option. Every time you take a sip, a new savory experience will unfold.
What else should you know about trying different types of whiskeys? Read on to find out!
What Are the Best Glasses for Serving Whiskey?
What are the best glasses for serving whiskey? There are quite a few!
One of the most popular options is a tulip-shaped glass. The tulip-shaped glass is sometimes referred to as dock glass. This traditional style stemware is one of the top choices among master distillers and blenders.
Connoisseurs understand that the dock glass provides a long enough stem to create an aromatic experience. The stem is long enough to keep the drink away from your nose but not so long that you lose the aroma altogether. Overall the tulip-shaped glass is perfect if you have a traditional glass of single-malt rye.
Another great option is the tumbler. When you hear somebody asking for an old-fashioned glass, they want a tumbler glass.
The tumbler is one of the most iconic glasses because of its wide rim. This isn't the perfect glass for nosing, but it's wonderful for having a drink on the rocks. This timeless option is sure to delight your guest and taste buds.
Another option would be the high-ball rye glass. The high ball is the older and taller brother of the tumbler.
The high ball works great with scotch and soda and plenty of ice. You'll find that the high ball ride glass is especially popular in Japan.
Tips for Drinking Scotch for the First Time
Is this going to be your first time enjoying a rye? To enjoy all the flavors, whether light and fruity or dark and smoky, you'll want to experiment with different styles.
There are a ton of different styles, ages, proofs, and manufacturers for you to choose from. Along with choosing a variety of drink options, you'll also want to experiment with how you experience the spirit.
For instance, you can enjoy your spirit straight. Simply pour the ride directly into a glass, such as a tumbler or a lowball, and sip away.
If you want to go old school, try pouring your liquor into a tin cup. Keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way! Start by pouring yourself one finger or less. One finger of rye is about 50 ml.
You may have heard of people adding water or ice to their drinks. But before you add anything to your rye, you'll want to take a sip. Find out what the aroma and flavor are like, and decide how much you'd like to dilute it. You may find that you enjoy drinking it straight and don't need to dilute it at all!
It's also a good idea to sniff the rye a couple of times before you sip it. Put your nose in the glass and inhale. Do this two to three times until you get a good sense of the aroma.
See if you can pick out any of the ingredients, such as woodsy aroma's or hints of vanilla. When you're sniffing the rye, keep your mouth open to get the best sample.
When the whiskey is in your mouth, roll it around a little bit before swallowing. Let your taste buds experience all of the different tastes.
What Your Choice of Rye Says About You
Did you know that your choice and whiskey can reveal your personality? If you like scotch, you're probably somebody who likes to do things by the book.
You enjoy classic and traditional experiences and have a laid-back way of approaching the world. If this sounds like you, try grabbing yourself a bottle of fine scotch and enjoying it neat.
What if you like Irish rye? Anyone who likes Irish rye tends to be passionate. Instead of being laid back and easygoing, Irish whiskey is all about the fire!
Next, there's American bourbon and Japanese. If you like American bourbon, you're a fun-loving person who likes to socialize. Whereas if you like Japanese rye, you have an air of sophistication and class about you.
Of course, all of these observations are just that, observations. Anyone can enjoy any drink; it's all about choosing what you like!
What You Need to Know About Blended Scotch
Have you ever tried blended scotch? Single malt gets a lot of attention, but blended scotch is a wonderful choice. You can find this scotch worldwide, and it's the perfect choice when you want to mix together cocktails.
You'll find that blended scotch is less intense than a single malt. The blends usually come in a range of flavors that start with light and grassy and go all the way up to peaty.
If you like light scotches, look for one that has a reputation for being grassy and fruity. If you want a heavy scotch, look for one that has a reputation for being smokey.
You could also look into getting a blended malt scotch. A blended malt scotch combines a single malt from different distilleries. You'll be enjoying 100% malted barley to give your drink an extra intense flavor.
Blended malt scotches are one of the most creative options since blenders get to experiment outside of the constraints of single malt. There is also green scotch.
Green Scotch comes from wheat. However, sometimes it can come from corn.
No matter what, your green scotch will always have a little bit of malted barley. They distilled the drink and column stills to help keep things nice and light. Usually, green Scotch ages for 5 years, but sometimes they age 12 years or more!
Finally, we should look into a single-grain Scotch as well. Similar to a single malt scotch, a single green Scotch will come from the same distillery.
What You Need to Know About Bourbon
As you start getting into whiskey, you'll hear a lot about bourbon. There's standard, Kentucky, straight, right, and wheated bourbon.
There's also corn, blended, small batch, and single barrel burn. You can even find sour mesh bourbon if you look around!
A standard bourbon will meet all the minimum requirements the law sets forth. A Kentucky bourbon is almost the same, except it's made in Kentucky.
If you're going to be enjoying a rye bourbon, it'll need 51% corn to be a true rye. The same thing goes for a heated bourbon. If it's not 51% corn, it's not authentic.
And, of course, corn bourbon has to be 100% corn! You'll find that corn bourbon is hearty and savory.
Were you interested in sour mash bourbon? A sour mash bourbon has unusual pH levels that regulate during the fermentation process. It'll have a less smoky taste and lean more toward the bitter side.
What You Need to Know About Irish Rye
What is Irish whiskey? For starters, it's incredible. This spirit has a unique flavor, and it's exceptionally smooth.
This rye is usually triple distilled using unmalted barley, and Irish blends use grain rye. The difference between Irish and Scotch is the way that they're produced. However, generally speaking, Irish and Scotch whiskeys are incredibly similar.
Irish whiskey is a product of Ireland, dating back to the late 1800s. To qualify as a true spirit, the dream has to be distilled from Ireland using cereal and malt grains. It also has to be distilled in pot stills grown in Ireland.
Law states that these whiskeys have to be aged for at least 3 years in barrels. The barrels can be used and may have previously held rum or bourbon. As you explore the different Irish whiskeys available on the market today, you'll notice new grains, exciting peats, and different types of wood casks.
What You Need to Know About Japanese Rye
Japanese whiskey is a lot like scotch, but it's unique in its way. You'll find that Japanese rye has a dry, almost smoky flavor.
The peaty taste is undeniable, and it stands out against other brands. These whiskeys are all about subtle differences and flavors. Water sources and the wood used in the barrels can add different tasting notes.
Sometimes distilleries will use wood that's only available in Japan. This helps the blend have a special taste that you won't get with an American spirit.
Overall, Japanese whiskey is going to be less sweet than bourbon. Bourbon usually takes on the flavor of the oak barrels that it ages in. That's why bourbon is usually a lot sweeter compared to Japanese whiskey.
If you love rye, you'll love Japanese blends. Rye usually has a slightly peppery finish, and Japanese whiskey is no different.
Finally, there aren't as many restrictions on making authentic Japanese whiskeys. For this reason, there can be a lot of inconsistency among brands. Thankfully as the government begins to enforce rules and how distillers make these whiskeys, you can expect to see more reliable spirits.
What You Need to Know About Moonshine
When you see somebody selling moonshine in a liquor store, it's not the historical moonshine you've heard about in the movies. Instead, it's a special type of whiskey blend, and it's worth trying!
Moonshine is a type of clear, unaged whiskey. It uses a corn base and has a high alcohol content. In the past, moonshine was produced illegally, and the term has been around since the early 15th century.
If you want to experiment with many different flavors, moonshine whiskeys are a great place to start. Each manufacturer will have their own signature style and way of presenting the spirit.
For instance, you can look for moonshine blends that use juicy apples and buttery vanilla finishes. Or you can look for a spicy moonshine blend with hints of pepper.
What You Need to Know About Single Malt Scotch Rye
Finally, let's talk about enjoying a single malt scotch. Scotch whiskey has to be made in Scotland using water and multi barley. It can contain corn and wheat, but it has to contain barley.
The restrictions state that the fermentation has to happen with yeast and the scotch needs to be matured in oak casks in Scotland. It takes at least three years to fully age a single malt scotch.
How can you be sure you're choosing the best single malt scotch blend? It all starts with finding out the quality of the cask in which the whiskey was aged.
You'll also want to know whether or not that whiskey was chill filtered and find out how old it was. If you're buying a scotch that's unchill-filtered, it'll have the best flavor. The unchill-filtered or non-chill-filtered process helps the whiskey achieve the right depth of character and flavor.
Finally, the key to a good drink is knowing what additives are in it. Double-check the label for any Scotch additives, so you'll know exactly what you're working with.
Find Your Favorite Rye Blend
Now you know how to drink whiskey. After reading this article, what's one new thing you were able to learn?
Were you surprised that there are so many different types of blends? What about the intricacy that goes into the distillation process? It's clear to see that rye is a special drink. Whether you're looking for flavorful moonshine whiskeys or a traditional bourbon, there's something out there for you.
Not sure where to begin? Take a look at our wide selection of spirits to find your favorite drink!
Liquorama has whiskeys, wines, beer, and more. So start shopping for your drink today.