So….I was at one of the stores I frequent not too long ago, and chatting with the cashier (it's one of these small town mom and pop stores which makes it easy to strike up a conversation) and while we were talking about whiskey, the cashier said "I put ice in my whiskey, and sometimes mix it with soda. Not sure that's the correct way, but that's what I do when I drink whiskey."
That stopped me in my tracks, and made me put down the bottle I was looking at (which happened to be a bottle of Old Soul).
So, I asked…."why do you think it's not the correct way to drink whiskey?" The cashier responded with many reasons that I have heard in the past. "I've heard you are supposed to drink it neat, without ice." "I've heard people say that you should never mix it with soda." "The only way to drink whiskey and enjoy all the flavors is neat." Needless to say the list goes on.
The cashier then asked me how I drink my whiskey. "I'm glad you asked. It really depends for me…." So what does that mean? Well, I went on to explain that it all depends on the reason(s) I am drinking whiskey at the time. If I'm sitting down watching TV or doing some writing or working on reviewing some video footage, I likely will be drinking it on ice or with water added. There are also some high proof whiskey's that I like but the proof is just too high for me to drink neat, so I will add water or ice.
There are also some whiskey's that I enjoy with Ginger Ale or 7-up. (go ahead, scoff, but it takes me back to my college days). Live with it.
If I am conducting a tasting for some people (be it long-time friends, or brand new friends), then I will drink it neat so I can taste it un-encumbered to find the flavor profile and see if I like it neat. I often time will then try it with water after trying it Neat just to see how it changed and if I like it better.
I have whiskey's that I like better with water or with ice. And some that I don't like with water or ice.
Master Distillers will often tell you to put some water in your whiskey to open up the flavor profiles. Even Scotch drinkers will often tell you the same.
After all, an Old Fashioned or Manhattan or Whiskey Sour is often served over ice. So how can that be wrong?
Back to my conversation with the cashier. Which I told this person, "look, there is no right or wrong way to whiskey. The important thing to remember is that you are drinking it. And to drink it how you like it. And, anyone who says differently is just missing the point of enjoying whiskey. I wonder how they would feel if every time they were served a hamburger they were told they had to eat it with no cheese, or other condiments.
Bottom line - the correct way to drink whiskey is how YOU like it. Don't let anyone else tell you differently.
(and yes, I did pick up that bottle of Old Soul).
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