Poles love whisky. More than a million cases of this noble drink are imported into the country every year. No wonder – this alcohol is characterized by a wealth of diverse aromas and is suitable for tasting both during elegant receptions and a pleasant evening with friends. How and with what to drink whisky to enjoy its full flavor? In what to serve this drink to get the most out of it? How to store unopened and opened whisky so that it does not lose its value?
Long-aged – what does that mean?
Every whisky lover knows that the older the drink, the more it has to offer in terms of taste. In 2012, in Edinburgh, Scotland, a company hosted an event where a 100-year-old whisky, aged in an oak barrel, was tasted with great fanfare! Meanwhile, the oldest known bottle was opened in 2017 in Warsaw – "Old Vatted Glenlivet" was produced in 1862. Interestingly, a notary was present at its opening, and the tasting ceremony took place in a building also from the 19th century.
Quite a few bottles and barrels of whisky, ranging from several decades to even 100 years old, circulate around the world. It is important to be aware of a certain difference that significantly affects the perception of their age. Proper storage of bottled whisky in a cellar or bar for a long time will not negatively affect its taste... but it will not improve it either! The most important thing is how long it spent in the barrel before bottling – once it is in glass, the passage of years no longer matters!
Firewater in the dark
How to store whisky, regardless of its age and type, so that the taste does not deteriorate? The most harmful factor for the aromas and appearance of the drink is light. As clear glass is commonly used for bottling nowadays, it is very important to keep the alcohol in a dark place. It is equally important that the room is dry and relatively cool, so that not only the liquid, but also the label, cork, or cap remain untouched by time.
A bottle or decanter of whisky should always stand upright. This is particularly important in the case of a cork closure – it should not be submerged in the liquid, but remain under the influence of naturally moisturizing vapors. If it dries out or starts to rot, the taste of the drink will immediately spoil.
If whisky is poured from a bottle into a decorative decanter, its size should be chosen so that the vessel is no more than half empty. If this limit is exceeded, the glass should be changed to a smaller one – too much oxygen reaching the alcohol will definitely flatten its taste. However, regardless of the storage method, it is worth knowing whether to chill whisky or warm it.
Warmed or chilled?
There are many types of whisky – its rich history and the production method of individual varieties can be read in the article: "Whisky – history and types of firewater". When tasting each type, it must be borne in mind that chilling it – by storing it in the refrigerator or adding ice cubes – will greatly flatten the taste, even by numbing the taste buds with cold. On the other hand, warming the drink – e.g. by the warmth of the hands holding the whisky glass – will cause unwanted alcohol fumes to be released during tasting.
The correct temperature for "firewater" ranges from 15oC to room temperature. So, if stored correctly, it is ready for tasting immediately after opening. To reach 15oC, you can briefly drop 2-3 chilled whisky stones into the whisky glass. It is also correct to dilute it with colder, still mineral water in a proportion that it constitutes 1/3 of the glass's content.
After opening
Very often, whisky bottles sold in stores have a smaller capacity than those of other spirits. This is because once air gets into it, it will gradually lose its aromas. However, there is nothing to stop it from being poured into an appropriately sized decorative serving vessel!
A whisky decanter – complete with glasses or without – makes an elegant table decoration. Such vessels are tightly sealed to preserve the drink's flavor qualities for as long as possible. The range of these glass vessels is truly rich, including simple or crystal forms, rocking decanters and those stylized as traditional, with a ball-shaped, mushroom-shaped, or flattened cork. All of them will brilliantly adorn the table during a party and stand out in a shaded bar.
It is worth having not only several shapes in your home, suitable for various table arrangements, but also varied capacities – from a liter to even 250 ml. This way, even small amounts of whisky can be safely stored.
What to serve whisky in? What to use alongside glasses from the same collection as the decanter? What effect does the glass used for tasting have on the taste and aroma?
Not just a tumbler
The most popular whisky glasses are tumblers. They are characterized by a fairly large volume and a thick bottom, allowing them to maintain the appropriate temperature. They are available in many shapes and sizes: crystal for traditionalists, like those from the "Teroso" collection, smooth and simple, e.g., from the "Blended" series, eye-catching "Roly-Poly" tumblers, or surprising "X-line" forms. If the alcohol is served in a decanter, it is good to have glasses from the same series or at least reminiscent of it in form. Unless you opt for a completely new alternative - whisky glasses!
How to serve whisky to maximize the tasting experience? In tulip glasses! They are distinguished by a bowl that narrows towards the top and a long stem. After pouring the liquid to half its volume, the aromas will concentrate at the bottom and slowly rise through the constriction towards the nose. Crystalline glass will allow for an assessment of the color and pearliness of the liquid. The appropriate width of the bowl will allow for a precise assessment of the aroma before taking the first sip.
There is also another method of tasting the best whisky varieties, recommended by specialists. This involves using small glasses, also narrowing towards the top, where a very small amount of the drink concentrates in one place, releasing all its richness first into the glass, and then to the nose and taste buds of the connoisseur. Here, two vessels from the KROSNO offer will be perfect: tequila glasses from the "Legend" series and a small stemmed glass "Casual".
Forbidden additions
Are there rules on how to drink whisky that prohibit mixing it with various additives? Many of the most conservative connoisseurs claim that it should not be mixed with ice and that carbonated drinks should be strictly avoided. So, should you give up drinks like Whisky on The Rocks or Whisky Sour?
In reality, there's nothing wrong with cocktails with cola or other liquids, citrus, and ice cubes if a blended variety is used. This type of "firewater" doesn't have particularly interesting aromas, so preparing a cocktail with it won't affect the impression that drinking it neat might have!
Thorough tasting
Now that you know how to serve whisky, it's worth familiarizing yourself with the rules of proper tasting. Before trying, avoid eating spicy, intensely flavored, or heavy foods – this can distort perceptions. Approximately 30-40 ml of liquid should be poured into the glass or tumbler. At this point, it's worth assessing the color of the whisky. To do this, look at it against the light and swirl it to check for pearliness.
After sight, the next sense that will help assess the drink is smell. The first inhale should be taken from a distance, so that a delicate scent reaches the nostrils. For the next, it's worth bringing the glass closer to the nose, identifying subsequent notes.
Finally, it's time for taste. First, a small amount of whisky should flow into the mouth, slowly along the glass walls. Once it spreads across the tongue, the subsequent aromas can be assessed. It should be held in the mouth for some time, even despite a scratching sensation. Only then is it possible to swallow the drink and identify the so-called finish. This is another moment to be savored – just like the entire atmosphere created by a bottle or decanter of excellent whisky!