I recently read an article where wine and spirits were likened to various breeds of dogs. Cute idea? Well maybe. Wine, Rum and Vodka were all associated with golden retrievers, being referred to as friendly, comfortable and universally liked. Scotch, on the other hand, was compared to a Doberman Pincher, considered as being beautiful and refined but aloof and requiring a great amount of effort to tame. A fair analogy? Not necessarily so. In my opinion not all Scotch is the same. There are several types, some being peated, others being smooth and silky. As a result, all Scotch should not be universally tarred with the same brush.

I have been told that Scotch is an acquired taste and that only a limited percentage of drinkers will in fact learn to like it. This may be true, but in my opinion, the same can be said about any other liquor. A person who appreciates Scotch is often perceived as being a snobby, upper-class intellectual with a certain knowledge and understanding of the dram. However, reality is that no special knowledge or perspective about Scotch is required to appreciate it. You just need to be willing to try it and not let the aura intimidate you.

In fact, if you love wine, you are already a great candidate for appreciating Scotch.  Anyone who enjoys a variety of flavour profiles like those found in wine, should feel comfortable exploring the world of Scotch and its many varieties (although my wife would disagree).

You don’t need to spend a lot of money or purchase an aged Scotch to find a delightful drink. Although older Scotches tend to seem like the highest quality, that is not always the case. Neither older nor expensive necessarily means it is better. The best Scotch for you is simply the one you like the best.

Another common misconception is that it should be drunk straight or ‘neat’ as they say. In fact, drinking it straight is not necessarily best. It has been proven that by adding an ice cube or a splash of water (no more than a teaspoon full), will release all of the true flavours of the whisky, making it even more enjoyable.

It is often recommended to introduce yourself to the world of Scotch by trying a blended variety. These Scotches are created to be very approachable. If you like it, then find out what malt whiskies the blend consists of and use that as a guide to gravitate toward exploring other varieties or single malts.

Regardless of the age of your Scotch, or whether you enjoy it straight, on ice, with a splash of water or even soda water, most importantly enjoy your whisky your way. Don’t put so many rules around it that it prevents you from enjoying your dram.

Sláinte mhaith