From Zero To Hero: Elevate Your Whisky Experience In 2025

If you’ve just started your journey into the world of whisky or find yourself in a bit of flux about where to go next in your whisky adventure, we’ve put together a list of ideas to inspire and guide you.
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Credit: OurWhisky Foundation – Jo Hanley

If you’ve just started your journey into the world of whisky or find yourself in a bit of flux about where to go next in your whisky adventure, we’ve put together a list of ideas to inspire and guide you. These suggestions are meant to help you explore, do more, write more, share more, and enjoy everything that makes the world of whisky so exciting!

This list isn’t meant to be intimidating or push you into anything. Instead, it offers small steps that can enhance your whisky experience in countless ways in 2025.

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Attend Whisky Events 

With the vast range of whisky specialist shops and festivals across the country (and the world), make sure you attend a tasting event hosted by a brand, a shop, or a festival. 

These events are perfect for immersing yourself in the flavors and expanding your whisky knowledge. In this game, knowledge is everything. Even if you’re on the quieter side, listening to a whisky ambassador, sales staff, or even a master distiller or blender can be invaluable. You’ll learn what whisky is, how it’s made, the differences between styles, and so much more.

You can go solo to meet new people or simply listen and enjoy some exciting tastings. Alternatively, you can attend with a group of friends. Going as a group and splitting up to discover hidden gems is a fantastic way to experience a festival. Or, if you prefer to stick together, visit the booths as a unit, ask questions, and soak up the information. Either way—just go!

One of the only benefits of COVID and the subsequent lockdowns was the rise of Zoom-based tasting events. Many specialists still offer these online tastings, often recording and uploading them to platforms like YouTube. The Whisky Shop has excelled in this area over recent years, with an extensive archive of online tasting events available for you to enjoy and learn from.

Get Yourself Some Decent Glassware 

This might seem obvious, but I still meet whisky enthusiasts who don’t own a proper tasting glass. While the glass won’t change the way the whisky tastes, it can work wonders for enhancing its aroma. Drinking whisky is enjoyable, and the sensations it offers are an added bonus, but for me, it’s all about the smell. A Glencairn glass, available in various styles, can make a significant difference in your experience.

When I first got into whisky, I bought a notepad and wrote down everything I could smell, taste, and feel with each sample. The development of detail in that notebook from the first page to the last was remarkable by the time I needed a new one. A good piece of glassware played a key role in helping me along the way.

Enjoying whisky from a tumbler in the evening is still a perfectly fine way to relax and appreciate the drink. However, if you want to delve deeper into the details and develop your sense of smell, invest in one of the best tools in the industry – a Glencairn glass.

Write Down Your Whisky Thoughts 

This tasting wheel from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy can help you to identify flavors in whisky. Credit: EWA

We touched on this in the previous section, but writing down your thoughts on a whisky is incredibly important. Not only does it serve as a valuable reminder for your personal archive, but it also allows you to share your opinions if a friend or colleague asks for your perspective.

Beyond creating a personal record of your whisky impressions, the ability to publish your thoughts has never been more accessible. In addition to posting videos on YouTube, you can share content and create polls on platforms like Instagram, which is fantastic for showcasing your opinions on anything whisky-related. One of my favorites – though I admit I need to use it more – is Substack. This user-friendly app allows you to share your thoughts on a brand, a bottle, or even your overall feelings about the drinks industry at a particular moment in time.

As mentioned earlier, you can keep these reflections private or make them public – it’s entirely up to you. However, if you choose to go public, be prepared for a range of reactions. The internet can be an inflammatory place, especially when it comes to whisky opinions – trust me on this! That said, don’t take it personally. Most feedback stems from passion or displeasure for a specific bottle or brand, rather than a personal attack.

Talk About It 

If you see yourself as an extrovert and want to take the lead vocally, you absolutely should! Whether it’s through Zoom, YouTube, at a friend’s house, or even hosting a tasting at a festival or shop, let your style and passion shine.

I’ve been hosting whisky tastings in shops and at festivals for well over a decade. Developing your storytelling style while incorporating the necessary facts is crucial. Some people prefer to start with the facts and follow with legends and myths, while others weave them together into a compelling narrative. Alternatively, you might take a more structured, step-by-step approach. Whatever suits your style is the way to go.

Before any tasting, I jot down a brief script with bullet points to ensure I cover essential facts and figures. I’d recommend doing this for your first few tastings. Once you’ve done your research and gotten the hang of it, you’ll be ready to dive in and let your presentation flow naturally.

For more tips on how to ace a whisky tasting, check out this article by Edinburgh Whisky Academy founder, Kirsty McKerrow. 

Open It All 

Credit: OurWhisky Foundation – Christina Kernohan

This couldn’t be more obvious, yet I held off opening some bottles I bought for years—and I still have no idea why. Now, anything I buy, I break the seal. That way, it’s destined to be consumed. Not necessarily straight away, but certainly at some point.

As with everything mentioned above, the only way to engage, tell a story, compare whiskies or share experiences is to sample them. You won’t love everything you try—that’s a reality—but it all needs to be tasted to assess, compare, and discuss.

I understand the idea of “saving a bottle for a special occasion,” but in my experience—and from talking to others over the years—those special occasions can be so all-encompassing and exciting that you might forget to open the bottle altogether. Then you find yourself waiting for yet another occasion. If you’ve spent your hard-earned money on it, crack it open! Start tasting, sharing, talking, and writing about this thing you’ve decided was worth the investment.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer's passion for whisky is undeniable. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil manages The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curates an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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