Cocktail Theory

Are You Drinking Whisky Correctly?

A historical look at Scotch-drinking techniques.

From The Macallan Rare Cask Society.

While drinking whisky might seem like a straightforward act—just pour it in a glass and swallow!—it has a long and colorful history. In the 18th Century, Scottish Barley farmers would drink their whisky straight from the still, without the added complexity of aging. Only the leftovers were placed in wine barrels for later consumption. Miners in the 19th Century drank their whisky from tin cups, which were much cheaper than glass—and less likely to break. But this imparted a rather tinny flavor to the Scotch. Modern bartenders might tell you the best way to enjoy a single malt as fine as The Macallan Rare Cask is with a splash of water. It’ll open up rich dried fruit flavors and impart an edge of treacle without destroying The Macallan Rare Cask’s subtle aromas of oak and spiciness. But while plenty of people have argued over how best to serve Scotch, there is no official way to drink it. The correct way to consume a whisky is to drink it however you enjoy it best.