The appeal of whisky is India is not slowing down anytime soon – the Indian market is only entering its golden era! Many homegrown brands have taken over the world and the Indian whisky market stands at an evaluation of USD 19.16 billion. The origins of your beloved whisky can be traced back to more than 1000 years when the practice of distillation became prominent. As monks in Ireland and Scotland began fermenting and distilling grain, it slowly led to the rise of whisky as we know it today. So, if you’re a whisky connoisseur, here is a comprehensive guide about food pairings, best mixers, and everything in between. Time to join the Whisky 101 crash course!
Whisky 101: Everything You Need To Know
How Whisky Is Served
Whisky is best enjoyed in a glencairn nosing glass. The shape of this glass is such that it is more rounded and deep at the base and slightly tapering towards the rim. This allows the whisky the room to ‘breathe’, releasing its aroma as you sip and savor your drink.
Many connoisseurs also use water, ice, or whisky stones in their whisky as it helps dilute the drink a little and make it more chilled. If you’re someone who prefers a chilled glass of whisky, you can add a splash of water or add ice cubes.
When whisky is served directly at room temperature, without any water, ice, or mixers, it is said to be a ‘neat’ glass of whisky. A neat glass of whisky helps get the most authentic flavor, texture, and aroma.
On the other hand, when it is served on ice cubes, it is said to be ‘on the rocks’. This helps dilute the whisky and enhance the mouthfeel as the drink’s temperature drops down. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to enjoying whisky, so make sure you experiment before deciding what you like!
How To Enjoy Whisky
Step 1: Observe the whisky that was served to you and notice the color of the drink. Whisky gets its color and much of its flavor from the wooden casks it was stored in. So, the deeper the color, the more the flavor.
Step 2: Smell the whisky – you can tell a lot about your drink just by smelling its aroma. This process is often called ‘nosing’ your whisky. Smelling the aroma will help you also guess and identify how the whisky might taste like – vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, honey, etc.
Step 3: The final step is when you sip and savor the whisky in your glass. Take small sips, savor the taste, and do not chug. This will help you taste the flavors of the whisky and appreciate the spirit even more.
Also Read: India’s Whisky Revolution: How the Country is Reshaping the Global Spirits Market
Best Mixers With Whisky
If you don’t prefer whisky served neat, you can add plenty of mixers to the spirit to enhance the flavor of the drink.
Soda Water
If you like your whisky chilled and a little bubbly, soda water is the right mixer for you. While the combination might seem odd in the first place, soda water helps bring out the complex flavors of whisky. The fizzy nature of the drink lends a unique mouthfeel while also slightly diluting the whisky. If you’re adding soda water to your whisky, also add a squeeze of lemon juice – you can thank us later!
Ginger Ale/Ginger Beer
For many, ginger ale/ginger beer is the perfect mixer with whisky. This is because the sweet, earthy, and spicy taste of ginger ale/beer complements most varieties of whiskies very well. Be it sweet bourbon, Irish whisky, or a peppery rye, adding ginger ale/beer can certainly enhance the warmth, taste, and texture of your drink.
Water
If you do not prefer mixers that alter the original taste of whisky, you can choose water as your mixer. Adding a few drops or a splash of water to your drink can bring down the alcohol level in your whisky. At the same time, it can greatly enhance your whisky experience. In fact, many studies believe that Scotch tastes better when water is used as a mixer.
Coca Cola
Whisky and Coca Cola is a popular combination that we’re sure you must’ve seen at countless parties and weddings. The sweet, fizzy taste of Coca Cola makes whisky more palatable to a lot more drinkers who might not like the authentic taste of whisky. Coca Cola is a great mixer, available readily and enjoyed by many!
Lemon Juice
Citrus does wonders when paired with whisky – take Whisky Sour as an example. The citrusy, sweet and sour taste of lemon juice can add a touch of freshness to your drink. The acids and oils in lemon juice pair well with the earthy spices in whisky, creating a blend that is irresistible to say the least!
Also Read: Goan Terrain In A Bottle: Bedrock Whisky Launched In Goa
Whisky 101: Best Food Pairings With Whisky
A good snack while enjoying your whisky can truly elevate the experience to a whole another level. While whisky pairs well with fruits, meats, and cheeses, you must experiment and find out what works for you.
Chocolate
Milk chocolates and dark chocolates pair well with whisky, especially fruity and nutty malts. The sweetness and slight bitterness of chocolate combines well with the warm mouthfeel of whisky.
Cheese
Cheese boards are also a popular pairing with whisky, after all, there’s nothing more enjoyable than a board full of different kinds of cheeses. Try pairing your whisky with different kinds of cheeses like Brie, Blue Cheese, Camembert, Pecorino, and many others.
Dried Nuts
Nature has presented us with bite sized snacks in the form of dried nuts, so why not use them to pair with our whisky? Nuts like pistachio and pecans go well with strong whiskies while sweeter whiskies pair well with bitter nuts like Brazil nuts and walnuts.
Seafood
Seafood like salmon, crabs, mussels, etc pair effortlessly with the rich, warm, and decadent flavor of whisky. The smoky, charred, and well-seasoned flavor of seafood complements well with whisky, bringing out its peaty, fruity, or robust flavor.
Summing Up
So, what are your takeaways from the Whiskey 101 crash course? Did you learn more about the food pairings, best mixers, and best ways to enjoy it? Time to pour yourself a drink and put this knowledge to use!
