Shake off whisky myths

BLACK Bottle Whisky ambassador and owner of SIP Exclusive, Owen O’Reilly, rounds up five myths about whisky that could be holding you back from enjoying your Scotch to the fullest.

Tomorrow is #WorldWhiskyDay and here are some bad habits and myths you need to shake off. All whisky tastes the same As a spirit with one of the most diverse flavour profiles, you can enjoy a variety of sweet, fruity, floral, spicy, herbal, oaky, nutty, dry and smoky tastes, depending on the whisky you are sipping.

Only poor-quality whisky is used in cocktails

Forget the sugary sweet concoctions that come to mind when you hear the word “cocktail”. We are talking about cocktails with fresh ingredients and quality mixers. Whisky cocktails have been enjoyed for decades.

It’s expensive, so it must be the best

While an 18-year-old whisky is going to be more expensive than a 10-year-old whisky due to its extended time in the cask, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to enjoy it more. Only men drink whisky There is a common misconception that whisky is an older man’s drink, as scenes of cigar bars, leather seats and men’s clubs of yesteryear come to mind. Whisky appeals to both men and women.

Single malt is superior to blended whisky

They’re two different styles of whisky, with different profiles, but there are exceptional blended whiskies that combine the best that’s available.

All whisky can be called “Scotch”

As the name suggests, the term “Scotch Whisky” or “Scotch” is reserved for whiskies that come from Scotland.