Have you just received a bottle of scotch for Father’s Day and are not sure what to do with it? You’re not alone. Maybe it’s a single malt in a smart box. Maybe it’s a blend another family member swears by. Either way, it’s now yours, and you’re wondering how to drink it “properly”.
Good news: there’s no one right way. Whether you sip it neat, add water, drop in some ice, or mix it into a cocktail, experts agree the best way to drink scotch is however you enjoy it most. This five-step guide will help you get started. No rules, no snobbery. Just solid advice to help you enjoy what’s in the glass.
A Change In Attitudes
Scotch has long been tied to tradition. Neat only. No mixers. But that’s changing. People are embracing flexibility. As Annabel Thomas, founder of Nc’nean Distillery, notes in a guest article for us, “consumer attitudes towards whisky are changing.” Gone are the old rules that single malt should not be mixed.
I, too, am an advocate for drinking whisky however you like. As I noted in a previous article, “I am not here to tell you what to do. But the point is this: there’s no “correct” way to enjoy whisky. The shift in whisky culture reflects a broader understanding that accessibility and enjoyment are what matter most.”
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at a 5-step plan that you can action that will help you to explore your whisky every which way, and ultimately decide how you would like to drink it.
Step 1: Start With a Small Pour and Try It Neat
The best way to get to know your scotch is to taste it straight. Pour a small amount, around an ounce or two, into any glass you have. A tulip-shaped whisky glass is ideal, but a simple tumbler works too.
Give it a swirl, take a sniff, then a small sip. Let it sit on your tongue before you swallow. Don’t rush. You’re not hunting for tasting notes or rare flavors yet. You’re just seeing what the whisky is like on its own.
This is how most experts begin. It gives you a starting point before deciding whether to add water, ice, or anything else. Think of it as the first handshake. Clean, honest, and unaltered.
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Step 2: Add a Few Drops of Water To Your Scotch and See What Changes
Once you’ve tried it neat, add a few drops of water. Just a splash. This isn’t about watering it down. It’s about opening the whisky up.
Many whiskies, especially ones with higher ABVs, can hide some of their character behind the alcohol. A little water can soften the burn and bring new aromas and flavors to the surface.
Dana Crombie of Suntory Global Spirits, and a fellow OurWhisky Foundation mentee, offered me her thoughts on drinking whisky with water: “I’ve quickly learned how fantastic water can be to open a whisky up into a whole other dram. Just a few drops and it’s transformed.”
Start small, taste as you go, and stop when it feels right. For some whiskies, a drop or two is all it takes. For others, a teaspoon might do the trick.
The point is to experiment. A small change can make a big difference.
Step 3: Try It With Ice If You Prefer It Cold
Not everyone likes their whisky at room temperature. If you prefer a colder drink, drop in an ice cube. It’s completely fine to drink scotch on the rocks.
Ice chills the whisky and slowly dilutes it, which can make strong flavors feel smoother and more approachable. You might even notice new notes emerging as the drink opens up over time.
Some purists avoid ice because cold temperatures can mute aroma and flavor. But taste is personal. If you enjoy it chilled, that’s reason enough.
Use one large cube if you can. It melts slower than smaller ones and won’t water things down too quickly. Sip, relax, and see how the whisky changes as the ice melts.
Step 4: Mix Your Scotch Into a Cocktail If That’s More Your Style
Yes, you can mix scotch into a cocktail. You don’t need to drink it neat to enjoy it properly.
A simple scotch and soda, also called a Highball, is light, refreshing, and a great place to start. If you want something with more flavor, try a whisky sour or a Rob Roy. These classic cocktails highlight scotch’s character without overpowering it.
Dana Crombie’s journey into whisky began with cocktails. “We lived in Leith, directly across from a bar that had just opened, Nauticus,” she says. “We used to order a drink called the Coastal Brew. Peated single malt, white cacao, Cross Brew, and bitters on an ice block. I still make my own version at home with Laphroaig 10.”
Even single malts can work in cocktails if you like the result. There is no rule that says you have to keep them separate. If mixing helps you enjoy your scotch, then mix away.
Step 5: Find What Works for You
There is no single correct way to drink scotch. Neat, with water, over ice, or in a cocktail. The best method is the one you enjoy most.
Dana Crombie has hosted plenty of tastings, each with a range of opinions. “Ultimately, it was inconclusive. No one could agree,” she says. “But there is one thing for certain. It isn’t the way that you drink whisky, it’s the moments remembered when you’re sipping it.”
Try different approaches. Your taste might change over time. One day, you might love a smoky dram with a splash of water. Another day, a chilled cocktail might hit the spot. The point is to explore and enjoy.
Whisky doesn’t need to be complicated. If you like what’s in your glass, you’re doing it right.
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