The Whiskey Journey

Photo by Richard Lawrence on Reshot

I belong to a couple of whiskey groups on Facebook and it is always interesting to see what different people see as good whiskey and what others see as swill. On any given day, any member of these groups can post about a new whiskey they are trying or post about one of their new favorites, only to have somebody comment about their whiskey choice, asking, "How can you drink that?" or saying, "Drain pour!" Everyone has opinions and that's what keeps it interesting. 

This is the biggest thing to think about and remember when it comes to whiskey. It's very much like art and literature and film. Everything is subjective. You either like it or you don't and everyone has an opinion.

But there is a journey to truly enjoying good whiskey. Good whiskey again being subjective. Some people may tell you otherwise, but you don't just start out drinking peated Scotch. I didn't, at least. A milder maybe a wheated whiskey is more your style and a better starting point. 

The typical whiskey drinker is going to start out looking at something that can be mixed with Coke, probably Jack Daniels or Crown Royal. I'll drink Crown Royal on the rocks, but I've also grown passed whiskey and Coke. If whiskey and Coke is your game, then I would think you're looking at flavored whiskey, either honey, vanilla, or cinnamon. There a lot of options out there.

After you get used to drinking whiskey and Coke, whiskey cut with Coke, you're probably ready whiskey on the rocks or whiskey neat to really start enjoying and appreciating the flavors and elements of the whiskey. People typically tell you to start with a lower proof whiskey, maybe around 80 proof. I think that is bad advice. Instead, I look towards what I call the gateway whiskeys or bourbons. These are going to be whiskeys like Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Wild Turkey 101, and Buffalo Trace. These are all very approachable and drinker friendly whiskeys, lending themselves to tastings, on the rocks, neat, and cocktails. 

Once you get comfortable with these approachable whiskeys, you'll want to start looking at small batches, different grains and mash bills, Irish whiskeys, Japanese whiskeys, and experimental whiskeys. I'm here to tell you now that this is where the rabbit hole begins. You'll find yourself just going to the liquor store just to see what they have spending hours in the whiskey aisle, getting to know the people that work there. While fun and exciting, it can be a very expensive hobby once you start looking for some harder to find and more sought after bottles.

Now, is when you get in to an advanced phase of whiskey drinking and enter the world of Scotch. I think that to truly appreciate Scotch, you need to learn to appreciate the other whiskeys. In the world of Scotch you get to taste Scotches from five different areas of Scotland, each with their own discernable qualities. Some are aged in Sherry casks. Some are peated, giving an earthy, almost charcoal flavor. Scotches aged in Sherry casks are my favorites of the Scotch world. Scotches are all good and they are all unique, but I think you need to make it through the whiskey journey to fully appreciate it. 

There are a lot of whiskeys out there and there are a lot of ways to enjoy them. Some are easier to drink and enjoy than others. Some are more complex than others. The only way to know is to embark on your own whiskey journey. Read books. Keep notes. See what flavor notes you can find. It really can be a lot of fun.