Spirits Lover » Blog Archive THE FIRST BOTTLE OF WHISKEY

Whiskey is a product that is not easy to approach, due to the high alcohol content; it is also a product that needs several years between creation and tasting, so it deserves a lot of attention. Inside the single bottle, there is a world to discover, just have the patience to do it serenely. Let’s find out more about your first bottle of whiskey!

1. THE FIRST WINES

Anyone, entering a bar or pub or wine shop can find a few whiskey bottles on the bulletin board. Each establishment has a supply, even a minimum, of products by the glass, without necessarily having to start with the purchase of a whole bottle. Therefore, our advice is to try with no hurry the products of your local trust, perhaps testing several, without neglecting even the most commercially available on the market.

This allows us to understand and direct our research towards the products most similar to us. Normally, the problems arise from the lack of knowledge of some owners of premises and the conditions of service. It is normal to find the bottles of spirits near the coffee machine, therefore, in a place where the thermal differences are important, to the detriment of the bottled product. It is also normal to have the distillate served in unsuitable glasses. We are looking for and asking for a glass that can guarantee us satisfactory fruition, preferring the tulip shape to the classic tumbler broad. If possible, we avoid ice, which changes the molecular structure of the product. We ask for cold water separately to rinse the palate between sip and sip or slightly dilute the product if it is too difficult to deal with.

Another step, after the first “dram,” can consist of events, tastings, or even festivals: there are several in Italy and abroad. We will talk about this in chapter 6 of this guide.

2. PURCHASE OF THE FIRST BOTTLE OF WHISKEY

Buying the first bottle is an important moment, which must be considered. Our advice is to start with an easily available product, possibly something already tasted and appreciated. The large supermarket chains are usually supplied with at least 5 references of different styles, with a price of less than 50 euros. Occasionally we can run into special offers with discounts or combinations with gift boxes. We can also go blind and buy two different bottles to have a comparison.

Another important step is the glass, which can often jeopardize tasting: let’s get tulip-shaped glasses as soon as possible, even large ones. There are several types. Glass is obviously preferred. Favorite models: grappa glass from ANAG or Gleincairn. Each glass has its own peculiarities regarding the olfactory part. Let’s try different ones and check which one is best for us. And remember: the first bottle is only the first step into this boundless and fascinating world.

3. OPENING THE FIRST BOTTLE OF WHISKEY

Whiskey is often regarded as a niche and elitist product, suitable for gifts for important occasions. Therefore, opening the first bottle should be considered a special moment, a long-awaited moment, to share with our loved ones. This is true up to a certain point: opening a bottle is always an important moment and requires our full attention; sharing is certainly an added value, but we feel that whiskey is a non-elitist drink, not exclusive but inclusive. In Europe, especially in Germany, there are numerous private clubs made up of simple friends who decide to buy bottles to share in the evenings organized for the occasion. Even in Italy, there are phenomena of this kind, and these occasions are optimal for maximizing the perceived value of the bottle itself. Opening, pouring, tasting, commenting, and appreciating the distillate together are the added value of this type of experience. Look for some friends or relatives to taste together, create informal occasions for sharing the distillate.

4. FINISH THE FIRST BOTTLE OF WHISKEY

This is the worst part of the story: a bottle that runs out is always a difficult step, especially if the bottle has given you a lot from your experience. Our advice is: go to the next one without fear! Whether it’s the same bottle or another, it will fill the gap caused by the first one. When you are truly passionate about whiskey, you will notice the phenomenon of compulsive accumulation: the purchase of numerous bottles and the simultaneous opening of dozens of different products. This does not make you unprepared but tells real research. The research is carried out by document; in this case, it is necessary to purchase and taste more bottles to obtain information.

5. PURCHASE OTHER BOTTLES

Once the first bottle is finished, it will be mandatory to replace it with at least another one. This seems an easy operation, but it is not: in the world, there are about 100,000 different products, tasting them all is impossible for obvious reasons of time and resources, it is necessary to skim to get a good result. First of all, let’s calibrate the search on our wallet: how much can we spend? Second: it’s not always true that a 100 euro bottle is better than a 50 euro bottle. Third: have we gathered friends to make larger purchases, sharing bottles? Fourth: what did we like most in our previous tastings? We can therefore opt for a similar bottle for main characteristics or turn to unexplored territories. Internet right now is our friend: there are hundreds of industry sites with tasting impressions and dedicated forums. There are several books on the subject.

6. EXPAND THE TASTINGS

Once you are passionate about the subject, it will be natural to expand your “vocabulary” of tastings with various products, from the most common to the rarest and most sought after, or simply to bottles that have awakened your curiosity. For this and the purchase, there are other solutions: events, festivals, samples. The events allow us to explore specific distilleries, perhaps with bottles that we would not have the opportunity to buy. On the other hand, Festivals allow for another discourse: the possibility of tasting products from hundreds, if not thousands, of open bottles. Let us be guided by those behind the stands, often enthusiasts or professionals in the sector. Another tip is not to drink everything immediately but, equipped with special well-sealed glass containers, taste later, with greater calm and tranquility. The samples allow you to taste a small amount of distillate without incurring the cost of the entire bottle. There are online e-commerces with dedicated sections, not to mention the numerous enthusiasts who exchange products of all levels.

If you haven’t yet read our suggestions regarding the tasting, here you can find a guide on how to taste and enjoy spirits.