Your whiskey knowledge is rocky, and you suddenly feel intimidated as you sheepishly reconsider your usual mixer. What does whiskey neat mean, anyway?
"Knowing your whiskey options isn’t just about picking a bottle, it’s about understanding what you enjoy and why," says Ray Tremblay, the corporate beverage director at COJE Management Group. "Every whiskey has a story, shaped by the grains used, the distillation process and the aging and barrel selection. These factors, individually and combined, define its unique flavor."
Related: Here Are the 15 Best Irish Whiskeys That Are Flying Off Liquor Store Shelves
Getty Images
Blanchard adds that the pure pour lets the sipper experience the whiskey as the distiller intended: Its full intensity, flavors and aromas. Ari Sussman, the whiskey maker at Whiskey JYPSI, agrees.
Related: The Best-Ever Crock Pot Irish Stew Recipe
What's the Difference Between Whiskey Neat and Whiskey Up?
Blanchard explains that whiskey up is usually chilled (shaken or stirred with ice. Then, the bartender strained the spirit into a glass without ice. "This slightly cools and dilutes the whiskey, muting some of the alcohol burn while still keeping the full flavor profile intact," Blanchard says. "[Chilling it] can soften its intense and subtly alter the taste." The process distinguishes whiskey up from neat, which is served unchilled and at room temperature, keeping it undiluted and at full strength.
Related: The 5 Different Types of Tequila Explained, From Blanco to Joven Rosa
OK, Then What Does Whiskey Straight-Up Mean?
Confused? The bartender may be, too. The preferred whiskey terms are generally "neat" or "up" because they're clearer. See, whiskey "straight up" can lead the bartender to think you're asking for it "straight," as in, sans additives. However, they might also think you're ordering it "up"—chilled and strained without ice in the glass.
Related: 9 Popular Costco Liquors, Ranked From the Bottom(s) Up
Getty Images
Clever, huh? Your tastebuds agree, especially if you are new to whiskey.
Sussman adds that some whiskeys are crafted to evolve in a glass, so "even a little ice can change the experience."
"Like anything in this world, our preferences are unique to us and will evolve and change over time and due to circumstance," Tremblay says. "I think people enjoy drinking whiskey neat because it offers the purest expression of the spirit, allowing them to fully experience its aroma, texture and flavor without dilution. However, when it’s 85 degrees outside, and the sun is beating down on you, I would always prefer a few cubes of ice in my whiskey."
When Should You Order Whiskey Neat?
Whenever you want, but only if you want. "Whiskey purists will say this is the best way to enjoy the liquid, although many others say that adding an ice cube or a splash of water will ‘open up’ the flavors in the beverage," Refino says.
"Drinking a whiskey neat, you get the full impact of the whiskey’s aroma, texture and flavor, from the initial heat to the evolving layers of sweetness, spice, oak or smoke," Tremblay says. "The warmth from the alcohol enhances the tasting experience, allowing complex notes to unfold as the whiskey lingers on the palate."
Related: That's the Spirit: 9 Types of Vodka Explained by Bartenders and Other Drink Experts
Getty Images
2. Try different styles
We hate to add more terms to your cheat sheet, but there are several types of whiskey. Experts recommend trying as many as possible—a tall but potentially fun order.
Blanchard says visiting a bar and chatting with the bartender can help you refine your tastes (and avoid splurging on a bottle you don't like for your home bar).
3. Go slow
"You don’t just dive in without appreciating the details," Sussman says. "You take small bites, process the flavors and engage your senses. With a steak, you check the char, color and aroma before savoring each bite."
Sussman suggests letting small sips rest on the tongue to uncover subtle nuances. "It’s a slow, intentional way to appreciate the craftsmanship behind the bottle," he says.
Related: I Went to Ireland and Here Are 10 Things You Must Do When You Visit
Sources:
Ray Tremblay, the corporate beverage director at COJE Management GroupAri Sussman, the whiskey maker at Whiskey JYPSIPaige Refino, the general manager of Malibu Farm Lido and regional beverage director
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Wait, What Does Whiskey Neat *Actually* Mean? )
Also on site :