Most people over the age of 21 order drinks at the bar again and again. Maybe you're still part of a loyal Rosé fan base, or you'd love to try your hand at trendy cocktails like the Dirty Shirley - but maybe, just maybe, you want to explore a different tipple that might have intimidated you in the past, For example, whiskey.
Jack Daniel’s U.S. brand ambassador and veteran bartender Eric “ET” Tecosky believes there are some misconceptions about whiskey that lead some drinkers to shy away from it, especially its Strong flavor, which some believe is indicative of its alcohol content. Although this is not the case.
"Whiskey starts at 80 proof. What is vodka? It starts at 80 proof. What does gin start at? 80 proof. What does rum start at? 80 proof. So for alcohol, 80 proof is 80 proof degree,” Tecosky said. “When you’re comparing apples to apples, evidence to evidence, you shouldn’t be afraid to change categories.”
The numbers speak for themselves, but humans can make a habit out of ordering food at the bar. For me, I most often order a tequila soda with lemon – just call me basic! — but I love drinking whiskey on St. Patrick’s Day, football tailgate, or any occasion that calls for a winter cocktail. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to visit the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, that I developed a deeper appreciation for dark wines that once struck me as too radical.
According to the MSS Beverage Database, Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey (the whiskey bottled in the iconic Black Label bottle) is the best-selling whiskey in the world, while Jack and Coke is the most popular whiskey in bars around the world. Obviously, people love whiskey, but it's not just mixed randomly with Coca-Cola or ginger ale. Even if you're a beginner, here's everything you need to know about incorporating whiskey into your repertoire.
What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey?
While the two wines may look and taste similar, there are some specific differences between the two. While all bourbon can be classified as whiskey, the reverse is also true. To qualify as bourbon, the whiskey must be produced in the United States, the grain blend used in the distilled product must contain at least 51% corn, be distilled to 160 degrees or lower, and then aged in new charred oak barrels at a temperature of is 125 degrees or higher. Jack Daniel's whiskey, for example, qualifies as bourbon, but is more accurately considered Tennessee whiskey because it has the extra step of filtering the distillate through charcoal. Specifically, Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey is "mellowed" through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal to soften its flavor.
What is whiskey made of?
Whiskey is made from fermented grain mash, usually corn, barley, malt, rye and yeast. This mash is then filtered and aged in barrels to achieve the whiskey’s signature dark color and flavor.
How to taste whiskey
Turkski's suggestion is to make it an event and invite some friends over to try a few bottles of different whiskeys. You don’t need to go to a winery and experience an expert tasting to find something you like, “because taste is taste.”
Start with an 80 proof bottle and work your way up to higher numbers to make it easier for you to taste. You can smell the aroma through your nose first, or even inhale through your mouth first, and then take a sip. "Take a small sip. Let it coat your mouth. Don't even worry about what it tastes like on the first sip. By the second sip, you start saying, 'Oh, what do I taste?'" Tekos Key said. His advice above all is to not let anyone tell you what you like or don't like, as enjoying whiskey is a unique experience led by taste and preference.
How to Serve a Whiskey Cocktail
Tecosky emphasizes that your cocktail will taste the same no matter what glass you use, but if you want to make your drinking experience more Instagram-worthy, there are a few rules of thumb. Couple glasses, stemmed rocks glasses, and Nick and Nora glasses are all perfect for cocktails and can be chosen depending on the look you want.
Keep in mind that the way the cocktail is prepared may increase the final amount of liquid. For example, if you stir the drink, dilution from the ice may affect the measurement, so Turkoski says to "leave a little space at the top so you don't put the glass on the white carpet and have it spill."
Best drinks made with whiskey
"When you think about the iconic whiskey cocktail, the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan, those are really the higher-alcohol cocktails," Turkoski tells Bustle. "You can have fun riffs on the seasons, and there's no reason to think 'whiskey can only be this drink.'"
Mixing seasonal ingredients like peaches or watermelon into whiskey cocktails in the summer is one suggestion, but simply substituting the existing whiskey in your favorite recipes is another, Turkoski suggests. "The famous Tiki drink is the Mai Tai (rum, Curacao liqueur, almond syrup and lime juice). I like to use Jack Daniel's instead and call it a Black Tie." Here are more whiskeys from Tecosky Cocktail ideas.
Jack & Coke Peach Mule
1 ½ ounces Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
½ ounce peach puree
1 ½ ounces Coca-Cola
1 ½ ounces ginger beer
Directions: Gently shake all drinks except ginger beer. Add ginger beer to jar. Strain over ice. Garnish with lemon wedges or sprigs of peaches and/or mint.
Hug, don’t punch, punch
750 ml Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
750 ml aperitif
750ml Selected Gin
750 ml cold pineapple juice
1250 ml cold ginger beer
10 drops Peychaud bitters
5 drops cocktail bitters
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl before serving. Add some ice cubes and stir. Serve over ice. If pre-ingredient - do not add the ginger beer and ice before serving. Garnish with pineapple flowers or pineapple wedges.
What is an interesting fact that every beginner should know about whiskey?
“A lot of people know that whiskey is aged in barrels, but people don’t realize that barrels are 100 percent responsible for the color of each whiskey that’s aged,” Turkoski said. So if you want to impress the connoisseurs in your life, be sure to keep this fact in your back pocket.
Ultimately, whiskey offers more versatility than a shot on the rocks or a pickle as a first step. It can be used like any other wine with similar credentials, making fruity sweet drinks in the summer and spiced and funky drinks in the winter. Don’t let the color fool you – it’s just the aging process anyway – try a whiskey drink next time you’re at the bar, or try mixing your own whiskey blend at home. Even the most knowledgeable whiskey experts started out as beginners. Cheers to trying new things.
