Learning how to order correctly will improve your bar-going experience, whether you’re a veteran whiskey drinker or new to bourbon. Ordering bourbon like a pro involves picking the appropriate brand and learning about proofs and barrels, which improves your drinking game.
Many bars consider bourbon a lifestyle, not simply a drink. American whiskey, created from maize mash and aged in charred oak barrels, is proudly crafted and presented with elegance. Most bourbon is produced in Kentucky, where over 95 distilleries make it.
The subtle nuances of the mash bill and the toasty, woody notes from the barrel make bourbon a drink to be savoured, whether you choose an 80-proof whisky (the minimum proof for bottling) or a cask-strength, undiluted whisky.
To enjoy this spirit’s finer flavours, you must know what to order at the bar. Like most life circumstances, planning helps. Raise a drink and become a bourbon-ordering expert.
Be precise while purchasing bourbon
To order bourbon like a pro, don’t simply say “a bourbon.” This tells the bartender you don’t care or know much about this whiskey. Instead, try and have a brand or two in mind.
Remember that not all bars have a vast selection of bourbon, so start with some basic ones. Most bars sell Evan Williams, Wild Turkey, Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, Jim Beam, and Woodford Reserve.
However, asking the bartender for advice is OK. Low-proof, small-batch bourbons like Four Roses or Woodford Reserve are advised for beginners. We recommend it to anybody interested in tasting bourbon but unsure which one to choose.
Staying on budget? You can drink well. There is no guilt in asking for a suggested brand under a certain monetary amount—there are many fantastic, affordable alternatives.
Neat or on the rocks
After selecting a brand, tell the bartender how you want your bourbon served. First, mention the brand, then the serving preference—neat or on the rocks. Say, “I’ll have some Wild Turkey bourbon on the rocks, please.”
Whisky enthusiasts recommend drinking it “neat” or in a snifter glass at room temperature. This tulip-shaped glassware lets you leisurely experience the bourbon’s delicate scent as your hands warm it to pull forth aromas.
For cold bourbon, request it “on the rocks” or over a giant ice cube. Warning: water dilutes the drink’s taste. Choose a single cube or a few large pebbles to preserve the bourbon’s taste. The sort of ice you order matters. Larger ice cubes melt slowly, allowing you more time to drink without diluting it.
Ask for a flight
Not sure which bourbon to order? To choose the right bourbon, request a tasting flight from your bartender to compare tastes and discover unique characteristics. Upgrading to a higher-proof, single-barrel bourbon can reveal more complex flavours. Order Knob Creek bourbon on the rocks, adding “double” or “triple” with it for an expert touch.
Bourbon selection is subjective; thus, there is no right solution. Bourbon’s variety of tastes and styles lets you discover and appreciate its charm. Discover new bourbons and taste them with a huge ice cube to release their nuances and aromas. So,grab a 700ml bottle of bourbon and say cheers.