Often, I am asked the same set of questions time and again, be it at someone’s house or in a training programme. The most asked are which is the best whisky in the world? What is the best way to enjoy whisky? How much can get you high or how to avoid hangovers...etc etc..
Though the one statement or observation that I am encountering lately is isn’t whisky only for winters...er .. I mean don’t you drink it only in the cold weather of winters, well isn’t it hot to drink it in summers?
The answer is whisky is a round the year drink and based on your mood, possibly the weather, the occasion and the company you have, you enjoy one style or another. There are whiskies which will be great Aperitifs in summers and another set which will be best appreciated post dinner in the winter of north. Whiskies which one enjoys with just some water and whiskies with possibly a cube of ice. One can also enjoy whiskies like Bourbon with mixers and ice as whisky cocktails or possibly a Japanese Highball, which is a tall glass of Japanese Whisky with ice and soda.
The key element is that you relax and enjoy the whisky, with chilled water, few cubes of ice or just the way you find it expressing itself the best.
Recently, I tried a great Single Malt like Talisker 10 YO, in 28ºC with 30 ml water from a rapid but fresh mountain river, flowing from its source. Thereafter, I tried the same whisky with chilled mineral water. Interesting whilst the sparkle of the whisky, went missing in the river water, there was extra sweetness bordering the pepper and a cereal after taste in the whisky. In the mineral water, the taste was well, quite “naturally” nice.
At a party in New Delhi last month, with mercury touching 41ºC, I tried a Glenfiddich 18 YO, over dinner with equal amount of chilled water and found it be a great companion, while others were dunking beer after beer to cool down. Over time, whisky, due to its varied tastes and aromas, has a long and passionate affair with us and we understand what brings out the best in each other.
Mumbai’s hot and humid summer beckons a The Macallan 21 YO, which owning to its firm complex flavours and sherry sweetness soothes the ruffled nerves and ensure a happy and relaxed beginning to the movie tonight.
Bangalore is a time for the Royal Salute 21 YO, which pays a attribute to the glorious summer, not as hard as Delhi, and with that balmy summer breeze that sweeps in the evening, its time for twenty one, shares with a friend and if you can in the open outdoors. Try some steamed fish or asparagus with it.
The writer is a whisky connoisseur and director of Spiritual Luxury Living India.