Whisky is wonderfully complex and those who drink it seem to have an air of sophisticated finesse about them. If you’re somewhat intimidated but still curious as to what all the fuss is about, here are some tips for tasting the next delicious dram that comes your way like a connoisseur:

1.Nose the whisky by putting your nose right into the glass and breathing in gently keeping your mouth open to involve your tastebuds.



2.Take a sip, swill the whisky around for at least 30 seconds coating every area of your mouth and think about the “mouthfeel” – is it chewy? Explosive? Mouthwatering? Dry?



3. Now swallow – is the finish lingering? Bold? Subtle? Are there different flavours in the finish than you identified on the nose?(And are you smiling like a Cheshire cat yet?)



4. Add a splash of water diluting the alcohol and releasing even more flavour. Repeat Steps 1 – 3.



5. Make sure that you're having a great time!

By: Emily Stockden