How To Drink Blended Scotch Whisky

Authors: Neil Ridley & Joel Harrison, Caskstrength Creative.

PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST DEBATES IN THE WORLD OF WHISKY, IS HOW TO DRINK IT.

Some will say that after years slumbering away in an oak cask in Scotland, that it should be savoured neat; direct from the bottle. Others will allow a splash of water to open up the whisky. Some will like a block of ice, serving it ‘on the rocks’, cooling and slowly diluting the Scotch. Lastly, there are advocates for mixing Scotch, either simply in a long drink with soda water, or in more complex concoctions such as a Whisky Sour or Boulevardier.

This debate has raged for decades, and each has its own merits. The craft of whisky-making and the art of blending are both something that demand respect. The result should be whisky that is both balanced and elegant. It should sit in a glass without interruption, straight from the bottle. There are people who say, ‘the only thing whisky should be mixed with, is more whisky’. So surely this is the best way to enjoy Scotch?

Of course, drinking Scotch neat is no bad way to enjoy it. For many, this will be an ideal way to drink any whisky and it is to be lauded and applauded. But it is not the only way, nor is it the correct way. The best way? Well, that’s up to you.

Ardray Scocth Whisky being poured over ice

group of people at a table drinking whisky

Quite a number of drinkers will like to add a splash of water to their whisky, and this is something that the majority of blenders and whisky-makers will do, too. Wander into any blending room across Scotland and you’ll find the teams there, many of whom have been constructing world-class blends for decades, cutting their whisky samples down to 20% or so.

Why are they doing this? Well, Scotch whisky must legally be bottled at 40% ABV or above, but these professionals know that some dilution in the glass can open up a whisky and allow the multiple layers of flavours to emerge from the glass.

Ice also does the same thing, but it has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. Firstly, it chills the whisky. This allows some of the lighter, more delicate notes to emerge from the glass. As the ice melts (and the bigger the ice, the slower it will melt), it warms and dilutes the whisky, a whole new set of flavours and aromas are revealed.

A nice middle ground is to add chilled water, which does all the heavy lifting of the ice, but allows you to control the dilution too. A good way do this is by stirring down a measure of whisky over ice in a mixing glass - as you would a cocktail such as a Manhattan - with just a few rotations of a bar spoon, to add some chill and a hint of dilution to the whisky, before straining into a glass to enjoy.

listening to records and sitting on floor

If you choose to drink your Scotch whisky neat, or with the addition of ice or water, a good thing to note is the strength of the whisky first. Most Scotch whisky is bottled at 40% - 46% ABV. ARDRAY is deliberately a little higher at 48%, in order to retain the complex characteristics of the blend, and showcase the malt elements. It is important to know the ABV so you don’t drown the whisky with too much water, or too much ice. The best way to know how much works for you, is to experiment and try it by increasing the dashes of water you add. You’ll know from tasting it when it works best for you.

Finally, another excellent way to enjoy a blended Scotch whisky is in a cocktail. Most whisky cocktails call for the use of the more robust American Bourbon style of whisky. Scotch’s complexity does work well in classic cocktails such as a Whisky Sour, or Old Fashioned. But it is when a good blended Scotch is simply lengthened with soda, or sparkling water, that it really can shine. As the soda and whisky meld together, the effervescent nature of the sparkling water will carry the layers of flavour up through the glass, creating a drink that is simple, yet stunning, easy-to-drink, yet showcasing complex layers of flavour. Known as a Highball, it is a great way to enjoy a rounded and rich blended Scotch whisky.

ALONG WITH A HOST OF OTHER INCREDIBLE WHISKY-BASED COCKTAILS, THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY ANY BLENDED SCOTCH IS WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACE, A GOOD GROUP OF PEOPLE, AND WITH A WHISKY THAT HAS CHARACTER, PERSONALITY, COMPLEXITY AND BALANCE.

Authors: Neil Ridley & Joel Harrison, Caskstrength Creative.