It's unassailable. People might scoff at your vodka tonic, your gin and juice, your martini. But in any setting, anywhere, no one can say bubkus about your whiskey on the rocks. You might get some guff about the ice from someone claiming to be a "real" whiskey drinker, but there's an old saying: anyone who won't drink his whiskey with ice is either pretentious or a drunk. Not a whiskey drinker? Start. But which to drink? Look through a liquor store. It's like choosing candy. Confused by exactly what qualifies as "whiskey"? Here's a brief run down:
Types of Whiskeys
Scotch - The "purest" of the whiskeys, (often spelled "whisky") it's made from 100% barley. Then you have malt and blended. Blended scotches go down a bit smoother. Single malts should never be mixed with anything, so if you're making a Rusty Nail, Presbyterian, etc., use a blended scotch. There are tons of brands to choose from, so you'll either need to do a lot of drinking, or just ask around.
Irish whiskey - Made from a blended malt of half barley and half oats. There's no trace of the smoky flavor or sweetness found in scotch. Your two main brands are Jameson and Bushmills, and Powers is a great, underrated choice as well. But pick one, and stick with it. No one likes a wishy-washy whiskey drinker.
Canadian - Brands such as Seagram's and Crown Royal. These are generally the lightest whiskeys and a good place to start if you're not a whiskey drinker.
Rye - Not the most popular of the whiskeys, this spirit must be made from a fermented mash of at least 51 percent rye. It's often the choice whiskey for use in mixed drinks, but also has its die-hard drinkers, who enjoy its heavier body.
Bourbon - Distilled from sour mash made up of at least 51-percent corn. The real stuff comes from Kentucky. While all whiskeys will taste rather caustic at first, the finer (more expensive) the bourbon, the smoother the taste.
As you may imagine, this is one of the simplest drinks to request or make. But the proportion is quite important. Basically, you want the ice to slowly melt, taking just a bit of edge off the whiskey without making it too watery. Then sip. Do not chug. People will think you're a drunk. And if you are, you should conceal this. Never mind what other people think. The bartender might stop serving you.
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