Understanding what to mix whisky with can be a learned skill. Knowing the flavours of your whisky is ideal when you get started mixing and making whisky-based cocktails. Not all whisky tastes the same, and premium aged whisky will have a unique flavour profile. For example, a smokey whisky has characteristics gained from the mash being exposed to peat smoke.
If this is your first time with a particular whisky, then it is recommended you taste it before adding any mixers. When you know the flavours of your whisky, then you can see how the mixer interacts with it and alters the overall flavours. Having this knowledge will allow you to understand what mixer works best, and it may change how you drink that particular whisky in the future.
If you’re not used to the flavours of neat whisky, an excellent place to start is with a whisky tasting set. In the whisky sets from Lark, you’ll receive one (or more) of our Tasmanian whisky. These bottles can be our famous single malt whisky or our blended whisky. The main difference between a single malt and a blended whisky is that single malt is distilled and matured at one distillery, and a blended whisky uses spirits from two or more distilleries.
Performing a whisky tasting is reasonably straightforward, and it can be completed in only a few minutes. When you have the whisky you’d like to taste, you can start by pouring a small amount into your glass; about 10 to 20ml will be enough. You can use any tulip-shaped glass, but a Glencairn style is preferred; this is suitable if you have a regular wine glass (not a flute). Cradle the glass in your palm and examine the colours of the whisky. Give the glass a swish and watch how the liquid moves. Consider how you’d describe the colours and movement, and be as poetic as you like.
Next, have a smell and note the aromas; there should be a strong scent from the glass. You may detect flavours like vanilla, butterscotch, oak, and cinnamon. Finally, have a sip, and let the liquid move about in your mouth. Are there any noticeable flavours? Common traits of whisky include smoke, spices, citrus, and stewed fruits. After you’ve tasted the whisky, you can add a few drops of water and taste it again.
After tasting, you can add mixers, such as coke, and see how that changes the flavour profile. If the coke makes the drink too sweet, you can use tonic water. Finding the ideal ratio for whisky to mixer can take some time, but once you hit the sweet spot, you’ll know it.
How to serve whisky?
Whisky can be consumed in many different ways. You can have it neat, over ice, or mixed into a cocktail. Classic whisky cocktails are reasonably easy to create and contain only a few ingredients. Whisky is a very flavourful drink, but the alcohol content can be a little high for some people.
The Old Fashioned is an excellent method for drinking whisky, and it can be made in about five minutes. You’ll need a teaspoon of sugar (or one cube), a dash of Angostura bitters, and an orange or lemon slice – adding soda water and a maraschino cherry is optional. Add the sugar, bitters, and a splash of water into your glass, then stir (or muddle) until mixed thoroughly. Add ice and about 60ml of your whisky; you can add in soda water to taste and follow it up with your orange slice and cherry.
Whisky cocktails are a fun and challenging way to enjoy any premium whisky. While some people may insist the whisky should only be enjoyed neat, the truth is that it is for everyone, and you can drink it any way you please.
What can be mixed with whisky?
Whisky is a reasonably versatile drink, and you can mix it with a variety of other liquids. Using one bottle of whisky and a few other select ingredients, you can make a fantastic amount of varied and interesting cocktails. The best mixers to use with your chosen whisky include soda water, coke, lemonade, citrus juice, coffee, and ginger ale.
Looking up whisky cocktail recipes is an excellent start when you’re learning what mixes with whisky the best. Ideally, a whisky mixer will add to the flavour of the whisky and help to showcase them to the person you’re serving.
Where can I buy the best whisky near me?
The most convenient way to buy whisky is through an online store. At Lark, you can find all our blended and single malt whiskies in our online shop. While many retail liquor stores will stock our whisky, you may not have access to the entire range, such as our spicy whisky and rare whisky.
If you’re looking for whisky gift packs, then you’ll find many of these in our online shop. Our gift packs can include up to three bottles of our premium whisky, and some will come with a Glencairn glass included. Most of our boxed sets will come with tasting notes, and some will have a QR code directing you to a video series with detailed tasting instructions.
If you need any assistance in choosing the right items for your whisky delivery, please contact our team. We can recommend the perfect whisky from our range that suits your particular tastes. You can also visit our cellar door and sample any whisky from our extensive collection of over 250 local and international whiskies.
