So, you splurged and bought that expensive bottle of whiskey you’ve eyed every time you stopped by your local liquor store to grab a new bottle of Elijah Craig Small Batch or Knob Creek 9 Year. If I’ve learned anything in the almost 20 years I’ve been writing professionally about alcohol, it’s that good things (whiskey) come to those who wait.
You waited and finally forked over the few hundred dollars (or more) that were required to get your hands on that highly sought-after, hard-to-find small batch bourbon — after all, the time was right to treat yourself. Maybe it’s your birthday, or perhaps you’re simply hosting a party and want to look like a baller. For whatever reason, you purchased an expensive bottle of whiskey. What now? Well, I’ll tell you what you never do with that expensive whiskey.
What not to do with expensive whiskey
Now that you’ve actually purchased a bottle of expensive whiskey, what comes next? Sure, you can just crack it open and start drinking it while you stream Black Mirror or the popular streaming show DuJour. But, if you ask me, you shouldn’t just dive right into this bottle as if it’s bottom-shelf swill. You’ll be disappointed if you finish it in a day or two and have to return to your stock of value bourbon bottles.
To help you fully enjoy your drinking experience, we’ve outlined five things that you absolutely should never do with expensive whiskey. Keep scrolling to see them all before you crack open that bottle.
Don’t just guzzle it down
If you spent extra cash to buy an expensive bottle, you’ll probably not want to just gulp it down. Instead, pour it into a whiskey glass (the Glencairn is a good choice) and first savor the aroma.
After you’ve taken a moment to breathe in the various scents, slowly take a sip. Let the whiskey cover your tongue as you slowly taste it. You can even smack your tongue using what Jim Beam’s Fred Noe would refer to as the “Kentucky chew.” Once you’ve acquainted yourself with the aromas and flavors of the whiskey, you can sip it slowly at your leisure.
Don’t add too many mixers
Nobody will stop you from using your expensive whiskey as the base for a cocktail. If that’s what you want to use it for, that’s your prerogative. Just try not to add too many mixers or overpowering flavors. You spent a lot of money on this whiskey, and you wouldn’t want it to get lost in the shuffle, right?
Don’t add too much ice
While many whiskey enthusiasts will tell you that the best way to drink whiskey is at room temperature, some drinkers prefer their whiskey a little colder. If that’s how you like it, nobody should fault you. Add an ice cube or two to cool it down a bit before taking a sip. Just don’t add too much ice, or you’ll end up diluting the flavor and losing much of its nuances and complexity.
Don’t be afraid to add some water
You might think you’re a whiskey purist because you drink your favorite bourbon at room temperature in a fancy tasting glass with nothing added to it. But if you want to get the most out of your expensive whiskey (especially if it’s cask strength or simply a higher proof expression), you’ll want to add a splash or two of water. It will help open up the whiskey aromas and flavors, even adding new notes you might not have otherwise unlocked.
Don’t drink it alone
If you spent the money on an expensive bottle of whiskey, are you really going to want to sit alone and drink it? Well-made, rare whiskey deserves to be shared with your whiskey-loving friends and family. Pour a few glasses, sip it with them, and talk about it. There’s no better way to enjoy whiskey than with others who like it as much as you.
