Whiskey is the national alcoholic drink of Scotland, which is known throughout the world. It is prepared on the basis of different types of grain, using distillation and malting processes, after which the resulting drink is aged for some time in oak barrels from port, sherry or madeira.
According to the international classification, there are such types of whiskey:
- malt - made exclusively from barley malt;
- cereals - created on the basis of rye, wheat and corn;
- Blended - obtained by mixing grain whiskey with malt.
How to choose whiskey
Traditionally, the best drink is made in Ireland and Scotland. Therefore, having bought whiskey in these parts, you can be sure of its authenticity and high quality. Although countries such as Japan, the United States and Canada today make Scotland and Ireland worthy of competition.
Initially, I want to highlight the most popular whiskey varieties known around the world:
- "Johnny Walker" (Johnnie Walker);
- Chivas Regal;
- “Jack Daniels” (Jack Daniels);
- "Glenfiddich" (Glenfiddich).
How and with what to drink a drink
There are three unspoken rules that every Scot knows by heart: don't bite, chill, or mix whiskey. In the homeland of this drink, it is believed that whiskey should be drunk gradually, in small sips, warming the glass with warm palms. But in other countries, the combination of whiskey with soda, lemon or ice is more familiar. If the fortress of such a noble drink confuses, then it can simply be diluted with pure spring water.
If you are going to taste the drink for the first time, you can arm yourself with our following recommendations and recipe.
Whiskey with soda: recipe
Take 50 ml of whiskey, 30 ml of soda and a little ice (optional). Mix all the ingredients and enjoy the taste. Before you drink a cocktail, bring a glass to your nose in order to enjoy the aroma of the drink. You need to inhale it with your nose, and exhale with your mouth. Then you can take the first sip and be sure to hold it in your mouth, enjoying the taste.
These are unspoken rules that are not required to be followed. In fact, you can drink whiskey as you like, with anything and as much as you like. Importantly, do not drink it in one gulp!
Glasses for whiskey with soda need to choose voluminous and spacious. Traditionally, glasses called “Tublers” with a thick and wide bottom are used for this drink. The so-called sherry (tulip) glasses with rounded walls and rather narrow necks, which prevent the drink from quickly losing its aroma, are also suitable. You can also use sniffers.
When to drink
This drink is truly universal, so it can be drunk both before meals and after. For example, by mixing whiskey with ice and soda, you can end up with a great aperitif. Some whiskeys are called a male digestif and equate it with cognac, because this noble drink not only helps to get rid of heaviness in the stomach, but also helps digest food.
The best snacks for whiskey with soda:
- smoked salmon. Fish can be served either separately or in combination with salad or seafood;
- baked lamb or beef;
- grilled chicken;
- haggis - an old Scottish national dish consisting of giblets with lard, onions, salt, seasonings and oatmeal, cooked in a lamb stomach;
- chocolate. Alternatively, baked chocolate bar.
What is not recommended as a snack
Most tasters do not recommend watering dishes with sweet or fruit sauces, so as not to spoil the magical taste of the drink.
And finally, it remains to formulate five “golden” rules for drinking whiskey. They sound like this: see, smell, sip, splash water and swallow. There you go.