The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
Glasses
The secret to enjoying a whisky is having the proper glass to serve it in. A glass can make or break a drink, so why not treat your whisky drinker friend to a set of brilliant whisky glasses. From the classic Old Fashioned style to Glencairn glassware, there are plenty of options to choose from with each having their own distinct quality.
Old Fashioned Glass
This is perhaps the most popular and recognizable of all the whisky glasses. This glass is a short tumbler with a thick base and is perfect if you like to drink your whisky with ice or if you enjoy homemade whisky cocktails. This is a great staple glass for seasoned whisky drinkers and whisky newbies alike.
Glencairn Glass
This glass is tulip shaped which guides the aroma of the whisky to the nose so that you can appreciate its scent as you sip your drink. It has a shorter and thicker base compared to a standard tulip glass which is a pro amongst whisky drinkers who don’t like stemmed glasses. This style is perfect for whisky drinkers who want to fully enjoy and appreciate all the elements of the whisky they are drinking.
The NEAT Whisky Glass
This glass is perfect if you really want to impress your whisky drinker friend. This style of glass is a relatively new style on the whisky market and is the result of an error in the glass factory. However, the shape of this glass is perfect for enjoying whisky because it guides the strong alcohol vapors away from the nose. NEAT stands for Naturally Engineered Aroma Technology which means that the glass filters out some of the alcohol to leave behind the richer, heavier elements of the whisky. A NEAT glass will make a great gift for a whisky drinker who appreciates the spirit for its depth of flavor.
Ice Molds
It is a long-contested debate amongst whisky drinkers whether the spirit should be enjoyed with or without ice. Whisky drinkers argue that ice dilutes the whisky too much, whilst others prefer to enjoy their beverage cold. Surprise your friend with some ice molds, you can opt for large cube or ball shapes that will take longer to melt into your drink – the perfect compromise for the undecided whisky drinkers.
Water Pipette
A splash of water can ‘open up’ a glass of whisky by improving the taste and aroma of the drink. Therefore, a pipette would make a great gimmicky gift for a whisky drinker who likes to be more specific when adding water to whisky. Find a stylish glass pipette so that you can carefully add a couple drops of water without completely diluting the drink – too much water can ruin your drink so this is a great tool to precisely add the perfect amount so that you can fully appreciate the robust and rich flavor of the beverage.
Bitters
If your whisky drinker friend is more inclined to order or make a whisky cocktail rather than drink it neat, then a bottle of bitters, like Angostura bitters, is the perfect gift. The flavor is bitter yet with an undertone of spice, and hints of cinnamon and clove. However, the specific ingredients are a closely guarded secret. You can also buy an orange-based bottle of Angostura bitters, the citrus of which will complement many whisky concoctions. Bitters are a common ingredient in many of the classic whisky cocktails, such as an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan. If your whisky drinker pal fancies themselves as a bit of a mixologist, then this is the perfect whisky accessory.
Whisky Book
Treat your friend to a book all about their favorite topic – whisky! Perhaps they enjoy whisky cocktails, if so, you can gift them a whisky cocktail making book, or if they are keen to learn all about Scotch then a whisky history book might be the perfect buy. Unwinding with a great book and a glass of whisky sounds like the perfect evening for a whisky drinker.
Whisky Tasting or Distillery Tour
Check out where the nearest whisky distillery tour is and book a fun day out. Here you can learn all about the history of whisky, how it’s made and of course get to try samples. This is the perfect gift for you to enjoy with your whisky drinker friend and learn more about the delicious spirit in the process.
If there is not an easily accessible whisky distillery tour near your area, then look instead at booking a whisky tasting session for you and your friend. This is a great afternoon or evening out where you can try lots of different whiskies and ask an expert any whisky-related questions. The experts at these events will give you information regarding the type of whisky and their flavor profiles – you might just end up discovering your new favorite type of whisky.
