Do you like your whiskey neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail?
In a world of strong opinions, there always seems to be a lot of heartfelt discussion of how best to consume your bourbon. These discussions range from what’s in the glass to what kind of glass the whiskey is in. There are a lot of whiskeys out there with a wide array of flavor profiles, therefore there are different combinations that can be considered, and there may not be a “right” answer.
The most ardent fans of bourbon whiskey are going to tell you that the only true way to drink your bourbon is neat (straight out of the bottle and into the glass). This is the one true way to know exactly what the bourbon tastes like. Some will choose to “open up” the flavor profile a bit, especially with a higher proof bourbon with a few drops of water. Bourbon enthusiasts have fallen in love with specialized whiskey drink ware like “The Glencairn Glass” that helps concentrate the aroma to maximize the flavor experience. If you are truly trying to “taste” bourbons this is probably the best choice.
The next best choice is on the rocks (served on ice) and in a rocks glass. Many find that serving bourbon on ice helps open it up and control the burn. You still get the ability to experience the flavor profile of the bourbon, including taking in the aroma. The difference is that with a wide mouthed glass, you might miss some of the scents that might be present but on the upside you do not get as much of the alcohol smell, which can be an issue with higher proof whiskeys and may need to be “opened up” anyways. You might also be interested in finding a nice ice mold for your rocks glass to look the part.
If you prefer, there are many classic cocktail options that might allow you to joyfully experience bourbon without going all in. We might suggest an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan, which is a good go-to, especially on a warm evening. By adding the right combinations of sweet flavors, a good bourbon will only make these better. We might suggest a bourbon that has a high rye mashbill or a rye whiskey as the extra spice tends to be a great compliment to these sweetened drinks.
If your preference is to just mix it with a soda, don’t waist your high dollar purchases on a bourbon and soda. Find one with a good hint of vanilla that is easy on your pocketbook. Kentucky soft drink Ale-8-One is always a great option for mixing.
If you must, just chug it straight out of the bottle, but don’t go kissing your Momma with that mouth.
The good news for those new to the world of bourbon is there really isn’t a wrong answer if you are drinking bourbon and enjoy the way you drink it. Drinking bourbon over anything else is the best way to drinking bourbon.
Cheers, Y’all!
Do you like your whiskey neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail?
In a world of strong opinions, there always seems to be a lot of heartfelt discussion of how best to consume your bourbon. These discussions range from what’s in the glass to what kind of glass the whiskey is in. There are a lot of whiskeys out there with a wide array of flavor profiles, therefore there are different combinations that can be considered, and there may not be a “right” answer.
The most ardent fans of bourbon whiskey are going to tell you that the only true way to drink your bourbon is neat (straight out of the bottle and into the glass). This is the one true way to know exactly what the bourbon tastes like. Some will choose to “open up” the flavor profile a bit, especially with a higher proof bourbon with a few drops of water. Bourbon enthusiasts have fallen in love with specialized whiskey drink ware like “The Glencairn Glass” that helps concentrate the aroma to maximize the flavor experience. If you are truly trying to “taste” bourbons this is probably the best choice.
The next best choice is on the rocks (served on ice) and in a rocks glass. Many find that serving bourbon on ice helps open it up and control the burn. You still get the ability to experience the flavor profile of the bourbon, including taking in the aroma. The difference is that with a wide mouthed glass, you might miss some of the scents that might be present but on the upside you do not get as much of the alcohol smell, which can be an issue with higher proof whiskeys and may need to be “opened up” anyways. You might also be interested in finding a nice ice mold for your rocks glass to look the part.
If you prefer, there are many classic cocktail options that might allow you to joyfully experience bourbon without going all in. We might suggest an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan, which is a good go-to, especially on a warm evening. By adding the right combinations of sweet flavors, a good bourbon will only make these better. We might suggest a bourbon that has a high rye mashbill or a rye whiskey as the extra spice tends to be a great compliment to these sweetened drinks.
If your preference is to just mix it with a soda, don’t waist your high dollar purchases on a bourbon and soda. Find one with a good hint of vanilla that is easy on your pocketbook. Kentucky soft drink Ale-8-One is always a great option for mixing.
If you must, just chug it straight out of the bottle, but don’t go kissing your Momma with that mouth.
The good news for those new to the world of bourbon is there really isn’t a wrong answer if you are drinking bourbon and enjoy the way you drink it. Drinking bourbon over anything else is the best way to drinking bourbon.
Cheers, Y’all!