Scotch is the only type of whiskey that’s spelt with out the ‘e’

The one cardinal rule on how to drink whisky, beautifully summarised by the guys at the Singleton:

Don't impose rules.

Whisky tastes fantastic, regardless of how you drink it.

Obviously, it is HIGHLY recommended to enjoy the top shelf stuff without mixers

...but hey it is your choice.

Neat

The only way to embrace all the flavours a particular whisky has to offer.

For the right effect, make sure that you drink it from proper glassware.

When just poured into a usual glass, it’s not really able to give you that extra depth when it comes to smelling the whisky as much as actually tasting the stuff.

Go for a Glencairn or a Copita glass.

Water

It is a divided topic, some people think water should never be added to whisky;

we are open to the idea (why not?), but we do prefer it neat.

Only use fresh water.

Ensure it is not too purified as it will hamper the quality and richness of the taste.

(spring water is recommended).

The Singleton guys recommend adding water to Single Malt Scotch Whisky, especially the cask strength variety, as it helps to open up the profile.

Ice

Adding ice makes the experience more refreshing.

Chilling the drink can also highlight specific aroma profile.

Use whisky stones to cool your dram down without diluting it with liquids.

If you are going to use ice cubes, go for something with less surface area (ie. Spherical Ice Balls) - it melts slower compared to traditional ice cubes.

And of course, be mindful of the water you use to make the ice (see the point above on Water).

You can get them here (they make great gifts for whisky lovers too).

If you crave a whisky cocktail - here are two for you to try at home - both are REALLY easy to make without fancy ingredients (and really easy to remember too), so can't hurt having them in your repertoire.

The instruction for both recipes is the same:

Combine all ingredients. Shake with ice until chilled. Serve

Spiked Southern Tea

1 part - Whisky

2 parts - Black Tea

Maple syrup to taste

Whisky Sour

2 parts - Whisky

1 part - freshly squeezed Lemon Juice

1 part - Simple Syrup (you can substitute with Honey)

Here are some more ‘official’ recipes.

Feel free to experiment and keep exploring!

By the way, did we mention you get complimentary whisky every time you come in for a service?