Become as dapper as Don Draper and as smooth as Jamie Foxx – there’s nothing old fashioned about it.

In the spirit of making you a more refined drinker of whiskey, we present the six steps to get you from an amateur swiller of whiskey, to a pro quaffer. You’ll be guided on your journey by “the nose” himself, Richard Peterson.

1. The Glass. Nay, The Right Glass

A good whiskey deserves the right chalice, appropriate for nosing and tasting. According to Paterson, the glass that best suits this is a sherry glass, also known as a copita. If you do not have one of these, a wine glass is fine. Anything with a stem is preferred – and definitely stay away from the whiskey tumbler.

The shape of the glass, the way it’s shaped like a tulip, will force the bouquet into one area — your nostrils. How you approach the whiskey will greatly affect how accurately you are able to assess it.

 2. Prepare The Glass 

Make sure your glass is at room temperature. Pour a small splash of whiskey and begin to swirl and tilt until the inside of the glass is coated.

 You want to make sure the lip of the glass is absolutely, totally clean,

It is important to remember to hold the glass at the bottom of the stem so to prevent your body heat from tampering with the temperature of the whiskey and glass. 

3. The Pour

The stem is now your new best friend. Do not hold the glass anywhere else or your results won’t be the best possible. When you are performing a “taste”, a fluid ounce is quiet enough to get the job done.

4.  The Sniff

For those of you who are beginners, the term nosing is the word used for smelling your whiskey. Top dog Paterson has split this very important action into three steps.

You need to get to know the whiskey, communicate with it, learn about its character.” Paterson says. “Look at it, talk to it, really try to experience it.”

Step 1: Stick your whole nose in the glass and take a whiff. This should result in a hit of alcohol vapor. Now pull it away and admire the liquid you so love. Roll it around and take note of the color.

Step 2: Wait two seconds, then go back to it.

Step 3: Go back a third time. This time, bury your nose into the lip of the glass, and roll the glass from one nostril to the other.

 

5. H2O

Although some people are used to ordering their whiskey on the rocks, thinking its the right thing to do, it isn’t always the case. A dash of distilled water could make your glass more welcoming. Don’t go and drown out the whiskeys flavour though. You’re allowed to reduce the alcohol to about 35% and not be considered a gremlin. Always remember: is doesn’t matter how old or young the whiskey is. If it gives you a bite on your first sip, adding some water is not sacrilege. When it comes to ice however, it’s a no no. Ice tends to disguise the whiskey’s flavours.

6.Taste It

This is the moment you have been waiting for. Take a small sip out of your well prepared glass and move it around until the scotch is sitting in the middle of your tongue. Swirl it in your mouth so it sits under your tongue, and then back to the middle position it started at. Keep it there so you can evaluate the flavours. When you swallow, you will be able to taste the different flavours the whiskey is letting off. You should let the liquid sit in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds in order to get the best taste results.

Whiskey has an inner world, and you must give it time to show itself,” he says.

 

7. Finish It

Little different layers will start to open up to you with the second taste

Before you get too excited, have another taste or two to get comfortable with your whiskey. It is then time to put that boy done the hatch in true advertising fashion.

  

Brought to you by Jack Daniel’s

Mr Daniel doesn’t mind how you drink your whiskey, as long as you do it responsibly.

[Source: Wired]