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News India Live, Digital Desk: whiskey for Beginners : Whiskey is not just a drink, but an experience. All over the world it is associated with class and sophistication. People like to drink it, but the truth is that 99% of the people make some common mistakes while drinking it, due to which the real taste and experience of that whiskey is completely lost, no matter how expensive it is.

This is not a strict rulebook, but if you want to enjoy the true flavor of whiskey, it is important to avoid these mistakes. Let us know what are those mistakes and what is the connoisseur’s way of enjoying whiskey.

These 4 mistakes that people often make

1. Fill the glass with ice
This is probably the most common mistake. A cold glass of whiskey tastes great in the summer, but when you fill the whiskey glass to the brim with tiny ice cubes, it kills the taste in two ways. First, due to extreme cold, your taste buds become numb and you cannot detect the real flavor of whiskey. Second, small ice melts quickly and dilutes the whiskey too much.
Right way: If ice must be added, use a large ice cube or ice ball. It melts slowly and doesn’t dilute your drink.

2. Mixing Coke, Pepsi or Sweet Drinks
It is very popular in India, but whiskey connoisseurs consider it the biggest crime. Whiskey makers put in years of hard work to create a complex and unique flavor. When you add Coke or any sweet soda, the sweetness overwhelms all the flavor of the whiskey. You only taste sugar and soda, not whiskey.
Right way: If you find the taste of whiskey too strong, add some plain water or plain soda instead of sweetened drinks.

3. To swallow in one gulp (to drink like a shot)
Whiskey is not a tequila shot that can be sipped in one go. It is a sipping drink, meaning it is designed to be drunk slowly, sip by sip. When you drink it in one go, you lose the chance to experience its layers of flavor.
Right way: Take a small sip, swish it around in your mouth for a few seconds and then swallow. After this, the taste that persists for a long time is called ‘Finish’ and that is the real fun of whiskey.

4. Not ‘smelling’ the whiskey
Half the flavor of any good drink or food is its aroma. It’s the same with whiskey. Professional tasters always ‘sniff’ the whiskey before drinking it. This exposes you to its fruity, smoky or woody notes, which makes the drinking experience even better.
Right way: Before drinking, bring the glass to your nose and gently smell the aroma.

So what’s the best way to drink whiskey?

1. Choose the right glass: Try using a tulip-shaped or whiskey snifter glass. It collects the fragrance in one place. If it is not available then a normal small glass will also do.
2. Take the first sip: Take a very small sip and let your mouth get used to the taste. This may seem a little fast.
3. The magic thing – a few drops of water: This is the secret of real connoisseurs. Before your second sip, simply add 2-4 drops of plain water to the whiskey by the spoonful. Water “opens up” the whiskey molecules, releasing its hidden flavors and aromas.
4. Enjoy slowly: Now sit back and enjoy small sips. Feel its changing taste after every sip.

Remember, the best style is whatever tastes best to you, but these tips will definitely help you see the world of whiskey in a new and better light.