How to choose and preserve wine for Whisky beginners

Discover tips for choosing whisky for beginners, how to enjoy and store whisky properly to preserve its delicate flavor.

Whisky is one of the most popular spirits, deeply intertwined with the long-standing culture and art of whisky appreciation in many countries around the world . Each country and distillery creates whiskies with distinct flavors and styles. Therefore, choosing the right bottle of whisky is not easy for those new to the world of whisky. If you're just starting to explore the world of whisky, take note of these helpful tips on choosing the right whisky and how to store it in the following article!

1. Tips for choosing whisky for beginners

Popular whiskies come in a wide variety of brands, origins, flavors, ages, and bottling methods. To find your perfect whisky, keep these tips in mind:

1.1. Select by origin

Each country has its own unique style of whisky making, creating a rich and diverse world of whisky. Therefore, you should research the characteristics of different types of whisky beforehand to find out which country's whisky suits your taste.

• Scotland (Scotch Whisky): Famous for its rich, sophisticated, and multi-layered flavor with impressive notes of fruit, honey, chocolate, and unique peat smoke.
• Ireland (Irish Whiskey): Smooth, gentle, and easy to drink with notes of honey, dried fruit, vanilla, and a long, smooth finish.
• American (Bourbon, American Rye, Tennessee Whiskey): Rich, full-bodied, with a prominent sweet caramel and oak flavor (Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey) or a strong, spicy flavor with rich spices (American Rye Whiskey).

Japanese Whisky: Refined, balanced, and smooth with floral, fruity, and rich spice notes, a harmonious blend of Scotch and East Asian styles.

Each country has its own unique style of whisky making.

1.2. Choose by flavor and alcohol content

If you're new to whisky, you should prioritize medium-alcohol whisky (40–43% ABV) with a smooth, pleasant flavor to gradually get used to it. At the same time, you should avoid whiskies with strong smoky flavors or harsh tastes, as these can easily cause an unpleasant experience from the first sip.

1.3. Choose based on wine age

You should choose whiskies with a shorter age of 8-12 years, as these have a more pronounced and robust flavor profile and are more accessible. Older whiskies are more complex and refined but usually come with a much higher price tag. Furthermore, older whiskies aren't always easy to drink, and the flavors can be more discernible if you're not experienced.

When you first start drinking whisky, you should choose whiskies with a shorter age.

1.4. Refer to the small bottle size.

If you're unsure which type of whisky suits your taste, start with smaller bottles like 200ml or 375ml. This is a safe and economical way to sample whisky, allowing you to easily explore different styles before deciding to invest in a large, expensive bottle.

2. Basic ways to enjoy whisky

Once you have a quality bottle of whisky in hand, don't forget to try these basic drinking techniques to discover the true flavor of the drink:

• Neat: Drink it straight, undiluted, to fully appreciate the aroma and aftertaste of the liqueur, but it may be slightly harsh due to the high alcohol content.
• On the rocks: Drinking whiskey with a few ice cubes helps to moderate the alcohol content and unlock more layers of flavor, making it easier to enjoy.
• Diluting with water: This is a way to reduce the alcohol content while still enjoying the original flavor of the liquor if you can't handle strong alcohol.

After experiencing all the layers of whisky flavor, you can explore classic cocktails like Whisky Sour, Old Fashioned, or Highball for a fresh and easy-to-drink experience. However, avoid mixing it with soda or soft drinks right away, as this will make it difficult to discern the original flavor of the whisky.

Initially, it's best to avoid mixing the wine so you can appreciate its original flavor first.

3. Tips for storing whisky properly

Spirits like Cognac and Whisky can retain their flavor for a very long time, even decades if the bottle remains unopened. However, improper storage can degrade the quality of the liquor, affecting your drinking experience and your health. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the following storage guidelines for Whisky:

Basic preservation principles:

• Store at a temperature of 15-20 degrees Celsius in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place.
• Avoid storing wine in direct sunlight or near high-temperature areas such as the kitchen.
• Keep the bottle upright to prevent the alcohol from coming into contact with the cork, which could damage the cork and allow air to enter the bottle.

Principles for storing wine after opening:

• Close the lid tightly after each use.
• Drink within 6-12 months to preserve the full flavor.
• If there's little wine left in the bottle, you should pour it into a smaller bottle to minimize the wine's exposure to oxygen inside the bottle.

Whisky can retain its full flavor for a very long time if stored properly.

Whisky is not just a beverage; it's a sophisticated cultural experience. Understanding how to choose, enjoy, and store whisky properly will help you fully appreciate the essence of the world of spirits in general and whisky in particular. Start with small steps, and let each glass of whisky open up a new journey of discovery, rich in emotion and unforgettable.

Additionally, if you're looking for a reputable partner, consider MK Accounting's comprehensive accounting services – a team of highly qualified professionals delivering dedicated and effective solutions.