How to Enjoy Single Malt Whisky – Dos and Don’ts from a Whisky Tasting Expert
Making the most out of a bottle of single malt whisky doesn’t always mean drinking it neat, with the ‘proper’ technique, in a specific glass with a pre-determined food pairing. The most important thing to consider when tasting whisky, especially if it’s new to you, is that you enjoy the process of learning about whisky and the relationship to its accompaniments.
This simple guide explores some of the best advice for tasting single malt whisky and whether you should serve it neat or with ice or water. Learn how to enjoy whisky as a beginner and consider some expert tips to sip like a professional at your next whisky tasting experience.
How to Get the Most out of Single Malt Whisky
The most important thing about drinking whisky is enjoying the experience, no matter how you do it. There is no wrong way to enjoy single malt whisky. However, this method can help you identify aromas and better understand flavour profile of a very expressive spirit. We explore the techniques for enhancing your whisky tasting experience to get the most out of a single malt whisky.
Understand your whisky
Whether it’s a Sherry-cask or a peated whisky, familiarise yourself with what you’re about to experience. What are the key aromas and tasting notes, what is the abv., how old is the bottle, what was it matured in? Is there anything unique about the production of this particular whisky?
In some cases, checking the tasting notes beforehand can influence your own conclusions but if you’re new to identifying different flavours, prior insights can be helpful.
Mixing single malt
There are many ways to enjoy whisky, adding ice or a splash of water are popular ways to experience whisky. If you’re new to whisky, don’t be afraid to use a mixer. You may want to understand how each mixer will influence the tasting notes and consider a mixer which will enhance the flavour profile of the spirit.
“Block out any rule you’ve heard someone say about drinking whisky. I have to say, a whisky pina colada is delightful. Forget the rules, do it on your terms and have fun with it.”
- Rob Patchett, Whisky Ambassador at Cotswolds Distillery
Sipping technique
The best way to elevate your whisky experience is to take small, slow sips and allow the whisky to coat the whole tongue. Remember, the tongue has different regions which preferentially detect bitter, sweet, sour and salt. ‘Chewing’ your whisky can also enhance the flavour detection.
Breathing technique
Olfaction (sense of smell) has a strong influence on your perception of flavour, so why exclude your nose when tasting whisky. Nose your whisky before taking a sip and try retronasal breathing while tasting. Allow aromas from the whisky to flow via the nasal passage while you taste.
Pairing your single malt
Enhance the tasting experience by pairing your whisky with the right foods. Fruity and sweet whiskies can be paired with desserts or cheese. Smoky, peated whisky is ideal with grilled meat or charcuterie. Experiment with different flavour combinations and enjoy the process of learning what hits the spot for you.
Have fun
There are no rules for drinking whisky. Pair it with whatever you like, mix it in a cocktail and add as much ice or water as you wish. There is no single rule that will make or break your tasting experience, so take the time to experiment and discover your preference for drinking whisky. Explore the ‘I want to Like Whisky Podcast’ on Spotify.
Should you Drink Single Malt Whisky with Ice or Water?
The more common ways to enjoy single malt whisky are by mixing it with water, serving it on ice cubes or drinking it neat. There are merits to each method, and we explore some of the reasons why you could be missing out by only drinking whisky neat.
Single malt is one of the more expressive types of whisky available. It’s produced from a single distillery and made from 100% malted barley. Single malt is often preferable because it captures and conveys the growing conditions, production techniques, maturation environment, quality control and in-house expertise. Naturally, drinking a high-quality bottle of neat whisky often feels like the most appropriate way to experience everything the spirit has to offer.
“The one thing I think puts people off whisky is that they think they have to drink it neat and neat whisky is 40-59%. Mix it with something - water, ice cubes, there are some really exciting mixers on the market right now.”
- Rob Patchett, Whisky Ambassador at Cotswolds Distillery
However, adding a splash of water to your whisky can really help to open subtle aromas of the spirit and dampen the intensity of the alcohol. Whiskies are usually diluted before bottling for your enjoyment, so there’s no high horse to sit on when it comes to drinking neat whisky. Adding a dash of water is a good place to start for newer whisky drinkers – even seasoned single malt enjoyers add water or mixers.
Serving whisky over ice can make for a more refreshing beverage but it can impact the flavour profile of your single malt. Ice can mute your tastebuds and diminish the delicate aromas of the spirit. It dilutes the spirit which can make for easier drinking but the level of dilution varies from start to finish. If you enjoy a chilled whisky, but want to avoid dilution, try chilling the glass beforehand or using whisky stones. Large ice cubes melt more slowly so could be preferable.
How to Enjoy Single Malt Whisky as a Beginner
Drinking whisky neat may not be the best approach for someone at the very start of their tasting journey. We advise that beginners avoid overthinking the process and have as much fun with the spirit as possible.
Don't be afraid to mix your whisky
There are so many flavour combinations to try when mixing spirits. Some excellent choices are ginger ale, appletiser, cranberry juice, clementine juice, soda water, cream soda or dandelion and burdock. These complement the flavours of whisky in different ways so experiment with mixers until you find what you enjoy.
Add a teaspoon of water or serve over ice cubes
As we’ve discussed, adding a dash of water can minimise the burn of drinking whisky neat and simultaneously reveal delicate flavours and aromas. Meanwhile, adding ice can soften the body and flavour while diluting it slightly. If you’re just starting out, adding ice can make your whisky more accessible.
Make a cocktail
Classic cocktails are a great way to ease into the world of whisky. A carefully balanced palate of sweetness, bitterness, acidity and spice can enhance your tasting experience and help you understand the complexities of the spirit. A whisky Manhattan usually combines Bourbon whisky, sweet vermouth and orange bitters, garnished with a cherry. Meanwhile, a whisky sour shakes, lemon juice, whisky, egg white and simple syrup into a delightfully frothy beverage. An old-fashioned muddles brown sugar, single malt whisky and orange bitters – a good quality whisky is essential. You don’t need any special skills to enjoy a whisky cocktail and you can’t go wrong with a whisky spritz.
“Whisky spritzes are not something that people are talking about - it’s a really good way of drinking a whisky without that burn.”
- Rob Patchett, Whisky Ambassador at Cotswolds Distillery
What is the Best Single Malt Whisky for Beginners?
At Cotswolds distillery, we always recommend the Signature Single Malt as your first bottle from us. While we offer a huge diversity of flavour profiles from peaty and smoky to citrus and honey, the Signature delivers accessible flavours and versatility – it's ideal for beginners and those curious about diversifying away from single malt Scotch whisky.
“It can be defined in different ways - marmalade on toast, apples & pears, honey and lemon. It’s just a really great whisky. You can have it with water, you can have it on ice or in a cocktail.
It’s really a Swiss army knife of whisky. However you want to drink your whisky it can deliver for you and there are very few whiskies in the world that can do that”
- Rob Patchett, Whisky Ambassador at Cotswolds Distillery
Common Mistakes when Tasting Single Malt?
There are no rules for drinking whisky. The only thing you should avoid when tasting whisky is getting too caught up in what you ‘should’ be tasting, smelling and feeling rather than reaching your own conclusions. However, understanding the complexities of whisky tasting can be intimidating so here is a handy guide on what to bear in mind.
- Nosing the whisky: Before taking a sip, try inhaling the aromas through your nose and mouth together. This can help you understand the profile of the whisky without too much influence from the alcohol. Avoid inhaling too quickly or too closely to the spirit – too much alcohol vapour can be overpowering.
- Glass choice: Serving room temperature neat whisky in a tulip glass is the best for funnelling the aromas to your nose and mouth while reducing oxidation from the environment.
- Not adding water: Many people think that adding even a small amount of water will ruin the whisky, but you could be missing out on some key aromas. Adding a few drops of water can elevate the flavour profile and curb the intensity of the alcohol – allowing you to experience the variety of flavours more accurately. Psst – most whiskies are diluted before bottling anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any specific foods that pair well with single malt whisky?
There is no single way to enjoy single malt whisky but one way to elevate the tasting experience at a dinner party or tasting event is to select food items which complement your centrepiece whisky. Local seafood pairs well with Scotch or coastal whisky, meanwhile peated whisky is ideal to balance salty snacks such as crisps, olives, stilton or charcuterie. If you prefer sweeter expressions, pair Sherry cask single malt with poached pears, sharp cheese or enjoy over vanilla ice cream. Complement our Bourbon cask single malt with apple crumble or banoffee pie.
What glassware is recommended for drinking single malt whisky?
We recommend tasting whisky from a tulip-shaped glass. The narrow opening and wide bowl funnels the aromas to your nose and mouth, enhancing the flavour profile and tasting experience. Glencairn Whisky Tasting Glasses are ideal because they resist the transfer of body heat.