Have you bought a fine whisky and now want to serve it at home? To do this, you need to know a few basics. Because only with the right setting and good preparation will your private tasting become a taste event. In this article, we answer the typical questions that you should know when enjoying a whisky at home.

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Reading time approx. 3:40 min

Which whisky is right for me?

Whisky is probably the most famous spirit in the world. Even Winston Churchill once described the cult drink as "an enigma wrapped in mystery and shrouded in secrets". For those who are just beginning to delve into the world of whisky, the large selection of available varieties is indeed a mystery. Don't let this unsettle you and just try out what you like with a whisky tasting .

How can I prepare my whisky?

Pure whisky

If you want to try and enjoy the pure taste of whisky, then you should of course drink it neat. This is especially true for high-quality varieties. Either a whisky is just good enough to mix, or it is so expensive that you dilute the good taste by mixing it. Some people also dilute whisky with water to reduce the intensity. Just try out what suits you personally.

Whisky with ice

Especially on warm summer days, many whisky drinkers order a "whisky on the rocks". This means that you enjoy your whisky with a large ice cube in the glass. The ice cools the whisky to a pleasant, cool temperature and the meltwater ensures that the whisky tastes milder and simpler overall. But at the same time, this also ensures that the variety of aromas and complexity of the whisky decreases. Small amounts of water usually do not harm the whisky. However, large amounts of water dilute the whisky and distort the taste. Many whisky connoisseurs therefore resort to an alternative by putting cold stones in their whisky. 

Whisky as a cocktail

By the way, whiskeys as a cocktail can be a great solution, especially for beginners. You just need a juice that gives the drink the necessary fullness, as well as another flavor carrier, such as lemon or lime juice. The drink is often mixed with cola, but then it should not be an expensive bottle. The most well-known Whiskey cocktails include: Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour and Manhattan. 

Whisky served hot

Another, but less common, variation is to drink your whisky warm. A well-known variety is the Hot Toddy. After heating, a few ingredients such as lemon, honey and cinnamon are added. It is said to have a miraculous effect, especially on colds. However, it must also be said that both cold and heat destroy many of the whisky's aromas. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to chill the whisky?

Bourbon, which is particularly popular in the USA, is often drunk with ice. This can help to reduce the intensity of the spirit and gives the drink an extra class. As a rule, however, it is sufficient for most types if the bottle is at room temperature. This has the advantage that the aromas of the alcohol can be released more quickly. But please do not store the whisky at temperatures above 20 degrees - that is too high even for this drink.

Which glass should I drink from?

Whiskies are served in a nosing or tulip glass. These types of glasses have a bulbous shape and taper towards the top. This has several advantages. You usually swirl the whisky slightly before drinking it to release the aromas. The smaller opening at the top not only makes it easier to swirl the drink, it also means the aromas don't evaporate as quickly. The smell is also more intense, which is noticeable when nosing.

Do I need more than one glass?

Anyone who has ever been to a whisky tasting will know this. Usually, each new variety gets a fresh glass. No wonder: With small quantities, even small drops can change the taste considerably. So if you try several varieties, at least make sure you rinse your glass well between tastings.

What food goes with it?

A little cheese or chocolate in between - this is also common at a whisky tasting at home. The food should neutralize the taste. And that is important. Because the spirit is quite strong, hearty side dishes such as cheese are common. Chocolate also makes a great combination, preferably with a high cocoa content. The flavors of chocolate can be found in many types of whisky, so it goes perfectly with the spirit.

How do I store a whisky?

Proper storage at home also makes a significant contribution to the taste. Remember: air, heat and light damage the whisky. Store the bottles at home in a closed state, preferably standing upright and dry to prevent the cork from leaking. Also make sure that there are no major temperature fluctuations. A cool, dark place without sunlight is ideal for storing the whisky.

Three typical mistakes when tasting whisky at home

There is nothing worse than preparing and serving an expensive and fine whisky incorrectly at home. Many people drink whisky for image reasons rather than for enjoyment. But if prepared correctly, the spirit can be a real treat for the palate. We will therefore show you three typical mistakes that you should definitely avoid when preparing whisky at home.

1. You don’t have enough time

Enjoying whisky takes time. If you want to enjoy the drink in small sips and consciously, you can't just do it "on the side". There is also a very pragmatic reason for this: after pouring, you always let the whisky stand for a while. In technical terms, this is called letting it breathe. This is because this is how the oxygen can react with the alcohol. So give the whisky a few minutes to develop.

2. You have no water to rinse

Especially if you try several whiskeys at home, you need a glass of water to neutralize your mouth. It also quenches your thirst so you can enjoy the whiskey without any pressure.

3. You can't decide

There are a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to preparing whisky at home. But in the end it all comes down to your individual taste. Do you prefer to drink whisky chilled? Then do just that. Would you rather drink whisky in a cocktail? That is also up to you. Don't let the tips confuse you. They are always just recommendations and not rules!

Team Bourbon or Team Scotch?

Not an easy question! But what are the differences? In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about the two types of whisky!

...Or go to the overview to learn more about the whisky!