{"id":50624,"date":"2021-08-26T00:22:31","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T04:22:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/info.glass.com\/?p=50624"},"modified":"2022-12-12T15:26:20","modified_gmt":"2022-12-12T20:26:20","slug":"learn-to-drink-whiskey-from-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/learn-to-drink-whiskey-from-expert\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn How to Taste Whiskey From an Expert"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Expert Whiskey Tasting Advice<\/h1>

We got with Whisky Magazine\u2019s editor, Christopher Coates, to find out the top tips and latest trends in whiskey tasting. With the help of this article, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a whiskey expert.<\/span><\/p>

\"etched-whiskey-lowball-glass\"<\/h3>

Whiskey Glasses for Different Occasions<\/h3>

\u201cThat the glassware suits the occasion and what you\u2019re intending to do with that glass,\u201d Christopher Coates, editor of\u00a0Whisky Magazine<\/span><\/a>, says of the most important thing to understand about choosing a whisky glass.<\/p>

For example, nosing glasses or glasses with stems are probably not practical for a party where they could easily be broken. Coates says he recommends tumbler glasses for whisky during parties. Highball glasses would be best at garden parties.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur Tumbler Picks:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"orrefors-street-double-old-fashioned-glass\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOrrefors Street Double Old Fashioned Glass Pair\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop on Amazon\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMikasa, 15 oz, Clear Julie Double Old Fashioned Drinking Glass, 15-Ounce, Set Of 4\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop on Amazon\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u00a0<\/p>

\"old-fashioned-glass-with-whiskey\"Should whiskey be served with or without ice?<\/h3>

If you want ice in your whisky, put ice in it. \u201cIt\u2019s your whisky; you do with your whisky what you do,\u201d he says.<\/p>

But if you are putting ice in whisky, Coates suggests the sturdier\u00a0tumbler glasses<\/span>. Nosing and glasses with stems can be fragile or have a mouth too narrow to drop ice in the drink. \u201cThey really do only fit a nose in,\u201d Coates says of some nosing glasses.<\/p>

When it is hot outside, Coates prefers ice in his whiskey, or just a splash of water, for refreshment.<\/p>

However, American whiskey goes well with ice. \u201cJust because I think the style takes it better,\u201d he says.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"smoked-whiskey-tubmler-glass\"Other Ways to Drink Whiskey<\/h3>

Coates says that soda water<\/strong> can be added to whisky for a highball drink, \u201cyou don\u2019t have to be neat.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cThis is a really nice refreshing way to drink whisky,\u201d he says.<\/p>

Adding nut liqueur<\/strong> to whisky is also an idea.<\/p>

\u201cThere\u2019s lots of creative things you can do with your whisky,\u201d Coates says.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur Highball Picks:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMikasa Cal Highball Glass Set, 17-Ounce, Set Of 4, Clear\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop on Amazon\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOrrefors Peak Highball Glass, Set of 4, Clear\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop on Amazon\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Best Glass for Whiskey Tasting<\/h2>

For analysis of taste, Coates says the copita<\/strong>, a tulip-shaped glass, is the choice of professionals.<\/p>

\u201cTraditionally, they are used by blenders,\u201d Coates says. Master blenders work behind the scenes to create a whisky with specific characteristics and a particular combination of spirits. Coates says that hundreds of copita glasses are seen in the facilities where master blenders work.<\/p>

\"tall-tulip-whiskey-glass\"The Copita Whiskey Glass<\/h3>

Copita glasses have a long stem, enabling the drinker to keep his hand at a distance from his nose, therefore keeping scents on his hand from affecting the scent while tasting whisky, \u201cand really able to smell the whisky.\u201d<\/p>

According to Coates, the copita appears to be a short-stemmed<\/strong> wine glass<\/a>.<\/p>

\u201cSo, this is the glass you would mostly see at blenders [facilities], and they’re very useful,\u201d Coates says.<\/p>

Recent argument has begun, however, about the copita glass, because of its narrow nose<\/strong>. Some believe the narrow nose makes it more difficult to smell the whisky, but Coates says this is incorrect.<\/p>

When blenders use the copita glass, samples are diluted 20 percent. So the whisky in a tasting under the development process has 48 to 68 percent alcohol strength of what it will have later in the consumer’s home. The reason for this is, so a strong alcoholic smell is not at the copita glass opening during blending.<\/p>

\u201cPersonally, I like them,\u201d Coates says of the copita glass, in which he drinks his whisky at his home in London. Most modern copita glasses are also dishwasher-safe.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"copita-whiskey-glass\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGlencairn Copita with Tasting Cap in Premium Gift Carton\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop on Amazon\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"best-glencairn-whiskey-glass\"The Glencairn Whiskey Glass<\/h3>

The introduction of the Glencairn whisky glass by family-owned Glencairn Crystal Ltd. in Glasgow changed the whisky glass experience. Coates says the company had the idea for the glass in the 1980s, but the glass did not go into production until the late 1990s.<\/p>

The Glencairn is \u201cdesigned specifically for drinking and appreciating Scotch whisky<\/strong>\u201d and is a glass that \u201cstraddles the two worlds\u201d of tasting and drinking whisky glasses.<\/p>

Coates uses the Glencairn when he reviews the spirits for Whisky Magazine. The glass has a solid base and a narrow opening, though it is larger than the copitas\u2019.<\/p>

\u201cThere\u2019s a reason they\u2019ve become the most famous whisky glass in the world,\u201d Coates says. The Glencairn is a \u201cdamn good glass,\u201d and what Coates refers to as \u201cthe Rolex of the whisky glass world.\u201d<\/p>

However, the Glencairn is not found in the blenders\u2019 laboratories. Blenders are usually older and go with tradition.<\/p>

The introduction of the Glencairn also coincided with a new appreciation of whisky. \u201cWhisky apparently wasn\u2019t the same before the 90s,\u201d Coates says.<\/p>

In the early to mid-1990s, a new appreciation for whisky was born thanks to the late Michael Jackson \u2014 not the singer, but a beer and whisky writer who kick-started the whisky tasting movement.<\/p>

\u201cThis is a serious drink to be appreciated by connoisseurs,\u201d Coates says of the impact Jackson\u2019s movement had on whisky.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"whiskey-woman-glass\"Women Drinking Whiskey<\/h3>

Coates says that whisky has had a stereotype of being a man\u2019s drink, but Whisky Magazine\u2019s reader data shows the average age of a whisky drinker is becoming younger<\/strong> \u2014 ages 25 and older \u2014 and more female.<\/p>

\u201cIt is still a relatively male-dominated drink, but that is changing,\u201d Coates says.<\/p>

In 2011-2012, the whisky cocktail drink was introduced, but Coates does not point to that as the reason why more women are drinking whisky<\/strong>.<\/p>

Coates says women are coming to whisky as they are introduced to tastes they enjoy, either fruity, nutty, green grassy, sulphury, or otherwise.<\/p>

\u201cYou do have to try lots of different ones,\u201d Coates says. And that was difficult for women to do in bars in the past because of the stereotype that whisky is for the boys\u2019 club. \u201cThankfully, that type of culture is eroding now,\u201d Coates says.<\/p>

\"classic-whiskey-drinker\"The History of Whiskey<\/h3>

In the 18th<\/sup> and 19th<\/sup> centuries, whisky was the drink of the working people. Farmers<\/strong> distilled whisky on their farms after the crop harvest, and it was clear in color, like moonshine.<\/p>

By the end of the 1800s, the appreciation for whisky as we know it today began to emerge thanks to a grape crisis in France. A pest attacked grape roots and greatly affected the production of wine.<\/p>

Then King George IV of England visited Scotland, the first monarch to do so since 1651, and heartily enjoyed the glass of whisky he was given. Afterward, whisky was also the drink of high society<\/strong>.<\/p>

By the 1970s, whisky was the drink of choice for the businessman, but analyzing the taste did not become prominent until the 1990s, at which time the glass became important.<\/p>

\u201cFor most people, it\u2019s a drink to enjoy, and, for some, it\u2019s a hobby,\u201d Coates says.<\/p>

Coates says he believes that the process of thinking about the taste of whisky enabled people to appreciate the taste.<\/p>

\u201cAnd, I think, appreciate other food and drink more.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Expert Whiskey Tasting Advice We got with Whisky Magazine\u2019s editor, Christopher Coates, to find out the top tips and latest trends in whiskey tasting. With the help of this article, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a whiskey expert. Whiskey Glasses for Different Occasions \u201cThat the glassware suits the occasion and what you\u2019re […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":50498,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1230,1352],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50624"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50624"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50624\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50498"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}