Not every drinker is support awhiskeylover . If you did n’t emerge from the womb a whiskey enthusiast — but have a desire to smatter in the glum , oak - aged artistic creation — don’t attempt to jump straight from aVodka - Sodainto a puddle of fetid , smoky Islay scotch . Get some whisky training wheel to help you make the transition .
To guide you on your journey , we draft the help of Marcel Simoneau , one of the owners ofNoorman ’s Kilwhiskey bar in Brooklyn . There , Simoneau keeps the bar buy in with more than 400 whiskey and server tastings to educate would - be whisky fans on the spirit ’s heritage and how it ’s made . If you want to love whisky but are having trouble getting started , follow his advice and you ’ll go from novice to expert in no sentence .
Start Sweet
From spicyryeto smoky Scotch , each category of whiskey has a distinguishable flavor visibility . Simoneau suggests starting with the easiest of the slew — bourbon . “ Most masses commence with bourbon as it is a little more approachable to them because of the sweetness and toll range , ” he says .
We suggest try out a hearty bourbon that costsless than 30 bucks . That way , you wo n’t feel like you ’re separate over a ton of money for a bottle that may take you awhile to wassail .
Try It in a Cocktail
“ A spoonful of loot helps the medicine go down . ” We screw Mary Poppins was n’t talking about a stiff swallow when she tattle that famous line , but her advice help us make a point all the same . If you ’re getting to know a look for the first meter , tasting it in a cocktail before sip it on the rocks will soften its bite . “ If you ’re attempt to get into Bourbon dynasty , a well - madeOld Fashionedis a peachy property to start , ” Simoneau says . “ The sugar adds fragrancy , but you could actually savour the whiskey too . The other ingredient enhance the spirit ’s nip rather than mask it . ”
If you ’ve already control bourbon and are ready to take on another eccentric of whisky , there are plenty ofrye , scotchandIrish whiskeycocktails to examine .
Learn How to Properly Taste It
Simoneau says there ’s no rightfield or wrong way to booze whiskey , and we agree . But learning how to in good order savor it will make your first few sip that much more pleasurable and rewarding .
“ When savour a purport , we typically care to come out neat and thenadd waterslowly to see the differences , ” he say . “ Some masses like ice , others do n’t , and that ’s okay . But one of the most important elements of tasting whiskey is the odour . intrude it is of the essence to get a full , round gustatory modality . you could also sip and chew on it a bit before swallowing so the savour hit all corners of your gustatory organ . ”
Any old rocks chicken feed will work fine to try whisky . But if you require something with a bolder design — or simply experience like pay back yourself for try something new — snag yourself a circle of bona fidewhiskey glasses .
Shulevskyy Volodymyr/Shutterstock
Drink Your Way Around the World
So , you ’ve get the hang Bourbon dynasty and are ready to move on to another whiskey type . Simoneau recommends sticking to the American stuff before traveling overseas . “ Try Secale cereale and wheated Bourbon first , then move on to Irish or Japanese whiskey , which tend to be a little more accessible , “ he suppose . “ Once you get a taste for these , then you’re able to graduate to scotch . ”
Once you ’re disposed to try scotch , try first dipping your toe into some of the milderregionsbefore jumping into the smoky nectar of the island . “ start up with the Highland and Speyside regions and then work your way down to Islay for the peatier , smokier stuff , ” Simoneau says .
Pair Whiskey with Food
Sometimes , after trying Modern flavors and spirits , all you need to soothe your overworked roof of the mouth is a little food . At Noorman ’s Kil , they partner off whiskey with grilled cheese because all that gooey , scrumptious fat highlight whisky ’s diverge sweet , smoky and spicy notes . “ Malva sylvestris pairs particularly well with scotch , but we always recommend nuts likealmondsand different types ofchocolatedepending on the look , ” Simoneau says .
We think in the corking magnate of adrinking bite , so we recommend rack up up a batch of somethingcrispyorsaltyto cleanse your roof of the mouth during your next tasting .
Courtesy of Noorman’s Kil
