I don't drink ice in anything; not in water, not in iced tea. However, my go-to whisky is Ardbeg 10-year, and I find that a single ice cube is the best way to have it. It softens its smoke and medicine thing to let all the flavors have their say.
@@michaelgriessler7922 Oh, man. So true. I came to the comments to see if anyone else noticed that as well. It's like acting all offended that someone doesn't acknowledge you're a golf expert then instantly hooking one into the parking lot.
yeah... It's cool tips I guess, but if you don't go out and buy different ranges of whisky to try then you wont really tell a difference when you order at a bar. But if I am going to drink whiskey i'd rather do it at my house with a cigar instead of spending 40$ for 1 shot of whiskey and mixer. lol.
@@mrjujuice5484 I like to limit my drinking to once a week so usually I’ll get a nice bottle of makers mark or whistle pig, a cigar, pop in a movie and chill haha
As a tip regarding watering down whisk(e)y, using a teaspoon or a straw when adding water let's you have way more control. Whisk(e)y is very sensitive to water and adding to much may quickly leave you with a bland experience. When adding water the water-soluble elements will mix with the water, pushing the non-water-soluble elements, like oils, to the top of the glass giving you a much more flavour potent next sip.
I was fortunate to have my whisky education from an enthusiast Scottish hotel owner. My job took me to the north coast of Scotland for four days every month and I stayed in a glorious hotel in a place called Melvich. The hotel owned a fishing loch nearby and was popular with fisherman and the menu regularly consisted of what had been caught that day. Together with a roaring peat fire the atmosphere was incredible. The most distinctive feature was that there were 102 different malt whiskies behind the bar and as I was a regular there for about two years I sat at the bar letting the owner take me through them.. I didn't get through them all as once I had tried the Islay malts I was hooked. I'm not a fan of mixers with whiskey, but I must try the Lagavulin and coke as, thinking about it, it could work. One tale on the subject of mixers, one day a very loud American was staying and asked what the most expensive whisky he had. It was something like a 30 year old Macallan, which even back then in the late 1980s was about £20 for a single measure (we are talking £200 per measure in today's money). The American asked for a large one with American Dry Ginger.. I was sat at the bar at the time and I swear I saw the owner go white. Being a true Scotsman (not going to give up that much takings) , he poured out the whisky into a glass and put a bottle of American dry some distance from it and said " There's your whisky, but I'll let you put the mixer in".
I enjoyed this read :) Sounds like a great experience. I don't usually like peated whiskeys but I have had some interesting ones in cocktails where I think the smoke is a nice taste profile. M (a steak house restaurant chain in at least London) has an especially good one with the Legavulin.
This was just lovely, Cara. Thank you! And thank you for the sweetly expressed admonition against bar patrons assuming that because the bartender might be young or female, s/he won't know much about whisky. Brava!
I subscribed for two reasons. First, my wife and I love whisky. Second, you are a bartender (I was a bartender in a former life) and you explain spirits concise and clear unlike some other youtubers with lack of experience and/or are getting drunk in their videos attempting to give a review or explanation about a certain spirit. Good job! Will keep watching your videos.
As a total beginner, I have watched hours worth of videos trying to find one that "makes sense" to me, in an attempt to learn about scotch (or whiskeys in general) and how to drink them.... this was the most helpful, straightforward video I have seen on the subject so far. Great job. Have a like and a sub. Keep em coming
Thanks pal, that’s so great to hear! You should check out the American whiskey series as well for more whisk(e)y facts 😊: th-cam.com/play/PLq4QDlrfTBk3IGjc3p_Cmi5X0marfZSwT.html
You've really got some solid & informative videos here. "Neat on the rocks is not a thing - - sorry". That phase delivered in a Scottish accent made my day 😂😂😂
Good info here. I do think it's important to note that adding water to some of the more oily scotches can actually make a stronger flavor since the water separates from the oil and the first sip is that oil sitting on top. Never had a smokey cokey...but I'll have to try that when I get home! Thanks!
I don't think that most people find the taste of the whisky disagreeable but recoil at the strength of the alcohol. So water would definitely help there.
@@Movie_Games Depends on how you assign worth to it. If you're just starting out with whiskys, maybe not. Try enjoying some mid-priced ones at the lower 40% marks. Explore Bourbons more often than Ryes as I found that to be a better "bridge" into Scotch's. It won't take you long to begin to rationalize buying a $200 bottle of whisky because that's reasonable. :) Good luck in your journey.
I love making cocktails, and my husband writes fictional books that feature Scottish characters. We both love bourbon. I came to learn more about Scotch and heard your accent. Your TH-cam channel is a perfect combination for both of us. Slàinte Mhath!🥃🏴
My fellow whiskey consuming friend and I like bars that clearly have a lot of whiskeys and aren't super busy so we can pick the bar keeps brain and get something they suggest. Helps socialize the activity and we learn new things.
Thanks, informative and funny. Yes, please tell us more about regional characteristics. While I do like peaty/smokey whiskies from Islay, I’ve learned that my palette changes from day to day and the best advice Ive been given is to not stick to your favourite but try something new.
As an Irishman and whiskey lover, single malt always with a few drops of cold water. It really does smoothe it out. Blended whiskey and ginger ale with lots of ice for the beginner 😀👍👍👍👍
I have a fond memory of the first time in a pub in Scotland and I asked if they had any single malt. The guy looked like he was looking for his double barreled whetever ... then a guy next to me said "Give him a Glenmorangie". After 40 odd years it's still my favorite. Nice video!
I gave you the thumbs up right when you said "Please don't make the mistake that we [women] don't know anything about whiskey. It's our job." you definitely know way more than men watching it here on how to order a whiskey. Thank you for teaching us.
Thank you for the Lagavulin + Coke tip. Will have to test this. I generally dislike mixing but have found it enjoyable to take sips of cola in between sips of whisky. Something works really well there for me.
TH-cam recommended this to me and I am hopelessly, completely in love. I'm planning on just listening to this angelic voice over and over all day long. I don't even drink Scotch -- I'm an Irish whiskey guy, Jameson's usually -- but she could do a two-hour video on different brands of ketchup and I would still listen all day.
Never tried Adberg i'll keep an eye out for it. i wasn't too impressed with highland park though Laphroig is nice enough but smaky for my taste. I keep going back to the Speysides. Tamdhu and Belvenie in particular though for its price Spey River is excellent
I would also suggest that a customer may ask for a glass other than a rocks glass to sample their whisky. A Glencairn or copita will always make for a better experience if available. Excellent videos Slàinte.
Damn kid! Love the way you talk "to me" instead of "at me"... Your a good teacher and I'm guessing fun to sit across the bar from... Cheers from Bluejean City!
Having a nice McCallen, on the rocks, with a nice cigar. If you are going to survive this COVID situation, might as well preserve your liver and lungs as much as possible. Slainte from West Texas!
If I had to mix a low end whisky, I prefer using ginger ale rather than coke. With the ginger ale, I can taste more of the flavors and think it pairs better. Coke is for rum IMO.
I am a big fan of sherried single malts, which have notes of sherry wine and a reddish hue. Aberlour is my favorite sherried brand I’ve tried so far if anyone wants to try something new!
The idea of Smokey Cokey seemed completely weird to me, because from my purist point of view whisky shall not be mixed with anything else than whisky, period. But having some remnants of peated Bunnahabhain I've tried to mix it with Kofola (our Czech version of Coca Cola) and it went surprisingly well. Thanks for the tip.
Answered all my questions regarding Scotch and all the while I felt like a good (and charismatic) friend was just showing me the way. Next stop: Scotland! Well done, thanks!
@@johnps1670 Depends on the person, and I have the same opinion not only for single malts, but for almost every type of whiskey except Bourbon and Irish.
Crash course in whisky ordering that was very informative.Thanks.Been given an Oban single malt so lets get it opened!! Smokey cokey was something new i've learned.
Andreas I’ve been drinking the stuff for well over 50 years. Taking it with or without water would depend on the whisky but without water usually. Seven years years ago I managed to develop stage 3 cancer of my tongue and neck. 18 months ago I tried a dram of my 12 yr old Glenturret and it was impossible to drink it until I got to 50-50 with water. Which is where I am today. I get all the flavours and a touch of bite which is perfect for me. So nobody can tell me it is sacrilege to use water. As you say it is how you like it. There are too many macho men and whisky snobs around. Sláinte 🥃. P S. I love Turret, Old Pultney (I lived in Caithness for 12 years) and Glendronach is beautiful. I also just got re acquainted with Bunnahabhain.
@@BehindtheBar Coke and Lagavullin. I have to try that. Jack and Coke is of course a common staple. Mostly I enjoy whiskey neat. Maybe you can make a video comparing say a 12yr old Macallan with its brother, the Quest. Or an Old Parr with the Sandy Mac. What are the differences?
So happy to see the Auchentoshan Three Wood in the mix. It is a beautiful drop, and always my recommendation to anyone new to whisky that may be intimidated or unaccustomed to heavily peated scotches.
I know this is a year old, but I just stumbled on this channel and I am OBSESSED! With stuff having gone virtual, a live whiskey tasting on zoom session or the like with Cara would be solid gold! I’d buy tickets! 😄
You have such a nice and pleasant attitude while sharing your passion of bar & booze. Thank you! If we are near your bar at any time we will be stopping by!
Now I'm conflicted, you got me curious about the smoky cokey but seems like a waste of that wonderful Lagavulin 16yr. As far as ways to enjoy whisky, sipping bourbon around a campfire on a chilly evening is hard to beat.
Haha it’s really just my way of saying not to take it all too seriously and that bartenders shouldn’t judge people who prefer to mix their whiskies! Drink it as you like- by a campfire is ideal 🔥 🥃
Behind the Bar it sounds pretty good, but I just could not get myself to drink Lag 16 any other way but neat or maybe while adding a drop of water here and there to see how it dances... if someone else was paying, I’d love to try it though!
@@Ellion_vt I'm the same with my incredibly smokey Laphroaig 10, have never mixed it with anything other than ice or a few drops of water! However, I am very curious to try a "Smoky Cokey" so I'd recommend maybe buying a bottle of Famous Grouse Smoky Black, to try it. It's what I get if I can't afford a good smoky single malt and is often reduced in Tesco to £14!!
@@alexanderweaver1876 try Islay Storm if you can find it. It's only $20 here in the states, which is less than the smokey famous grouse, is single malt, smokier, and much tastier.
Hiya, I'm an italian barman that has lived in Edinburgh for nearly ten years, worked in a few places but the best experience was at the Scotsman Hotel. More precisely I was the bartender of the bar called"Room399" due to the number of whisky available. Yep, almost all of them. I learnt a lot about whisky and the Scottish culture and I love it. In fact I love to hear you speak, I like your voice, your accent, and guess what? I like YOU too. Soooo pritty, pure healthy 😍🤣 I luv your videos, you got a new subscriber 💚🤍❤️ ciao 👋😘
Here’s another tip, the names of some scotch can be intimidating for a non-Scot to say. But there’s a series of videos on TH-cam where actor Brian Cox says the name of every major distillery. Search TH-cam for “Brian Cox whisky” and order your Glenmorangie or Laphroaig with confidence.
Loved your accent. Reminds me of the time I lived in St. Andrews, my birth town. My favourite whiskies: Laphroaig and Ardbeg. I try to permanently keep a bottle of both at my pantry for special occasions. I mostly drink them neat as I think it is a shame to dilute this precious liquid with any mixer thus altering their original character. Talisker is another one I enjoy and currently have an open bottle at home. It is not as peaty as the previous two, but fits in the category I deem as very special malts. In order to savour these malts I have I ritual of my own: carefully pour a shot in a tulip glass, some roasted almonds or cashew nuts on the side, a good netflix series on the telly and I’m all set for the night! When I’m not in the mood to spend so much in a dram I go for blends, my favourite one being 12-year-old Chivas Regal from Sthathila distillery in Keith. My greatest disappointment so far was Johnny Walker Blue Label. I once had a bottle in my collection but when I finally opened and tasted it I was surprised at how bland and uninteresting it was. To be honest, of all the Johhny Walker brands (I tasted them all) my favourite is the cheapest one, i.e. the red label. Although I also enjoy whiskies from other countries (Ireland, US, Canada and Japan), I won”t comment on them as my post is already too long!
Love it. Cocktail making is known to be a science, and not just because of its magical powers to uplift moods all over. But, add the right music in the background and you have the mood to relax and enjoy the day!
Cheers all the way from Mexico City. My dad loved his whisky, and so I follow the tradition. We have tequila and mezcal here that are mostly served "neat" . I recently tasted Bruichladdich and it was amazing. What other similar single malts would you recommend, I have traveled several times to Scotland to visit relatives and I find it amazing, every single aspect including ..... the weather. Saludos!
Hahaha not sure I believe you on the weather! I’m so glad you like it though, it’s an awesome country and I swear the whisky tastes better there 😜. I can’t wait to get to Mexico at some point!
Cloud, rains, fogs, it is so good :) . You don't sweat, you can comfortably bike to work and you have more options to make a stylish outlook :) In hot countries the only option is shorts and tops :D
My Scottish grandfather used to have a scotch and soda every night for his nightcap. I’m pretty sure he drank Johnny Walker Red but probably only because we didn’t have a lot of money.
Fantastic video. Curious if you drink the Lagavulin and Coke on the rocks, or if the Coke is cold or room temp? I guess I'll try all three ways and decide on my fave... teehee! Thanks!
@@BehindtheBar Wish I could send a pic. Ordered a Smokey Cokey on ice. Game changer. My Lagavulin straight friend was reticent, and now... it's gonna be a great night! Delicious! Thanks!!
Excellent point on not judging a book by its cover i.e. the bartender’s age. First, I’m old and everyone is younger than me. Second, a asking a few questions of your bartender will quickly let you know if she/he knows a thing or two about a thing or two! Thanks for the video!
This was great. Usually on these videos there are two pretentious half wits talking out there rear-ends but this is no frills, straight talk. Nearly as good as Ralfy, and easier to look at.
Whiskey is good but to me bourbon is my choice. I am an older gentleman, l drink only 1 or 2 with my meal, not looking to get my load on, just enough to take the edge off the day, about twice a month. As an elected member of our small Alaskan town I do have responsibility to the citizens. Been a bartender and several other jobs in my life. You have a great podcast. Stay happy and healthy during this pandemic.
You wrote, "As an elected member of our small Alaskan town . . ." Does your town elect the people who can live in that town??? Isn't that against all sorts of discrimination laws in the USA? Maybe you drank a few too many boubons before you typed your comment above? lol Or were you elected to your town's council? Or elected mayor? Dogcatcher? Inquiring minds want to know.
I was elected into our local flood board. There we go over permits prior to sending up the trail to other agencies. Our local bourogho rep and l do our best to protect and help those permit applicants from interference with permit agencies. Many of our local citizens appreciate our efforts. To us these are our local taxpayers and they need a wall of defence in several permits. That's what we do.
So if a whisky is made in Scotland, does that automatically make it Scotch whisky? Are blended whiskies made in Scotland still considered Scotch? What if it’s made from corn like American whiskey, but still made in Scotland?
Hey pal! Legally, Scottish whisky means a whisky produced in Scotland which has ‘been distilled at a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley, to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added.’ So blends are still Scotch, they just have to have a portion of malted barley in them, but a full corn whisky would not technically be Scottish whisky. There are also ageing requirements- it has to be ages in oak barrels for at least 3 years. I guess technically if someone wanted to make a corn whisky they’d have to call it ‘corn spirit’ or something. You’re seeing a lot of that in Australia with people saying ‘sugar cane spirit’ to get around the ageing requirement to be called rum, but I haven’t seen anyone experimenting with that kind of thing in Scotland- interesting question!
Theoretically correct but no distillery in Scotland would ever try doing that, i mean the place is small, the number of companies are limited so just stick with whatever you do best. Like Champagne.
I would love to see videos kind of like the one you did about Vermouth where you compare different bottles and talk about the history, features, flavors, details, common mixes, etc. of vodka/rum/tequila! :) i want to learn more about these liquors so i could have a true conversation about them/try to know what i am talking about when i taste them! love the videos, thank you!!!
Great channel, and love your content, lots of great cocktails to make from your recipes, and great whiskey detail, I’ll have have to believe you on the coke mixer, I’m very much just water with my single malt. A few more great Irish whiskeys to add, Writers Tears have a few great examples, it is near to where I’m from and a very nice drink.
came for the whiskey, stayed for the accent.
me too !!!!
4:53 not like this XDD
Holy crap. Same!
what is her accent ? Sounds very soothing.
@@theoph1932 Scottish I think. Whatever it is. It is a good accent.
„Use lower price range whisky for mixing“: Takes a 16 year old Single Malt as an example. I now understand the bank manager reference.
😂 a Smokey cokey is a special occasion treat!
All night Philosopher!
I have half of a bottle of lagavulin 16 in my cabinet right now that I usually only drink on special occasions. Dare I make a smokey cokey?
@@valdeze Enjoy your whisky how you like it ;) (But I don't dare to mix a Single Malt with coke. To be honest, I would feel bad for the Malt.)
Yeah maybe go at least with something a bit cheaper like Laphroaig, if you want it smokey
"Please let me know in the comments, if you like me t...."
*YES!* 😍
4:20
Yes, it is.
I ordered a whiskey neat on the rocks and the legend of a barkeeper served the glass in a bowl of ice.
That’s awesome lateral thinking haha!
OK, that is incredible. How'd it taste?
Genius!
I don't drink ice in anything; not in water, not in iced tea. However, my go-to whisky is Ardbeg 10-year, and I find that a single ice cube is the best way to have it. It softens its smoke and medicine thing to let all the flavors have their say.
Love “please don’t assume young or female means a person knows nothing. It is our job.” Preach, sister!
If it´s your job, why do you use the water glass for whisky and the whisky glass for water???
@@michaelgriessler7922 Oh, man. So true. I came to the comments to see if anyone else noticed that as well. It's like acting all offended that someone doesn't acknowledge you're a golf expert then instantly hooking one into the parking lot.
As a 23yo bar manager i relate so much to that statement.
@@bdwilcox Even golfers make mistakes
@@nathanvale3360 And, accordingly, many open their mouths beforehand and make bigger fools of themselves.
The best whisk(e)y is the one you like to drink however you like to drink it.
Exactly!
TRUEE 👌🏼
Preach!
you magnificent bastard
@@randomated4110 Ayyyyy 😄 I found a fellow magnificent bastard
I deeply appreciate you’re a woman taking about this. It gives me confidence to actually try some!
So glad to hear that pal, there are so many awesome women in whisky now- please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can help with recommendations etc 😊
I'd start with less water than she did, but the great thing about whiskey is that we drink it how we enjoy it and everyone else can take a hike.
Yeah I’ve been called out on that haha, I didn’t think to bring a dropper and it was quite hard to control out of that glass 🙈
@@BehindtheBar I dd not mean to call you out. I thought that maybe you just liked more water.
It did look a bit a of an accidental blop to me. Oh no - must add more whisky ...
@@Darbobski haha
@@BehindtheBar I thought that was what probably happened.
When a Scot reviews whiskey, you know you’re in the right place.
Eh, Scotch whisky has no "i" in the word. Just saying.
How to order Whisky:
1. Don’t care what anybody else thinks.
Enjoy.
100%, I hope you understand this video is more about giving you the vocabulary to order what you want 😊
yeah... It's cool tips I guess, but if you don't go out and buy different ranges of whisky to try then you wont really tell a difference when you order at a bar. But if I am going to drink whiskey i'd rather do it at my house with a cigar instead of spending 40$ for 1 shot of whiskey and mixer. lol.
@@mrjujuice5484 you’re a man of culture I see
@@sourpatchkid87 Yes, I drink with my pinky finger raised.
@@mrjujuice5484 I like to limit my drinking to once a week so usually I’ll get a nice bottle of makers mark or whistle pig, a cigar, pop in a movie and chill haha
As a tip regarding watering down whisk(e)y, using a teaspoon or a straw when adding water let's you have way more control. Whisk(e)y is very sensitive to water and adding to much may quickly leave you with a bland experience. When adding water the water-soluble elements will mix with the water, pushing the non-water-soluble elements, like oils, to the top of the glass giving you a much more flavour potent next sip.
I was fortunate to have my whisky education from an enthusiast Scottish hotel owner. My job took me to the north coast of Scotland for four days every month and I stayed in a glorious hotel in a place called Melvich. The hotel owned a fishing loch nearby and was popular with fisherman and the menu regularly consisted of what had been caught that day. Together with a roaring peat fire the atmosphere was incredible. The most distinctive feature was that there were 102 different malt whiskies behind the bar and as I was a regular there for about two years I sat at the bar letting the owner take me through them.. I didn't get through them all as once I had tried the Islay malts I was hooked. I'm not a fan of mixers with whiskey, but I must try the Lagavulin and coke as, thinking about it, it could work.
One tale on the subject of mixers, one day a very loud American was staying and asked what the most expensive whisky he had. It was something like a 30 year old Macallan, which even back then in the late 1980s was about £20 for a single measure (we are talking £200 per measure in today's money). The American asked for a large one with American Dry Ginger.. I was sat at the bar at the time and I swear I saw the owner go white. Being a true Scotsman (not going to give up that much takings) , he poured out the whisky into a glass and put a bottle of American dry some distance from it and said " There's your whisky, but I'll let you put the mixer in".
That sounds like an incredible experience! Well handled by the bar owner, that’s generally how I’ll serve expensive whisky and mixer as well 😊
Excellent video, subscribed. 👍❤
good story 😂😂
I enjoyed this read :) Sounds like a great experience. I don't usually like peated whiskeys but I have had some interesting ones in cocktails where I think the smoke is a nice taste profile. M (a steak house restaurant chain in at least London) has an especially good one with the Legavulin.
I Love Lagavulin as well and the Smokey Cokey has got me curious, I have to admit!
And, I feel so bad for that 30 YO McCallan :(
She could sell water to a drowning man
She could feckin’ drown me.
Paul Begansky Snow to a Eskimo
She could sell Rose Kennedy a black dress
She could sell whisky to an alcoholic too. Basically the same thing.
Agreed 😂
"It does just feel like a little bit of a waste of money to my frugal Scottish sensibilities", I've asked for a whisky and I got some poetry
😂 can’t help myself sometimes!
This was just lovely, Cara. Thank you! And thank you for the sweetly expressed admonition against bar patrons assuming that because the bartender might be young or female, s/he won't know much about whisky. Brava!
I subscribed for two reasons. First, my wife and I love whisky. Second, you are a bartender (I was a bartender in a former life) and you explain spirits concise and clear unlike some other youtubers with lack of experience and/or are getting drunk in their videos attempting to give a review or explanation about a certain spirit. Good job! Will keep watching your videos.
Thank you! It’s a great refresher writing these as well, keeps me sharp for behind the bar haha.
No no no... This is how it's done. "Give me your largest bottle of whatever and put a straw in it for me.".
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
And a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
What have you brought upon this cursed land
All I familiar with is to smoke before snorting the coke
"The perfect redhead doesn't exis... "
"Hold my whiskey"
Yep..shes def in the running, there, mate. Scots-Australian is that accent?
Looks like a brunette to me
halt mah whiskee
Redheads are dangerous ! Carful
and here i thought all readheads are perfect...well to each his own !
I'll just have a coke, thanks.
SOMEBODY
Virgin Cuba libre.
I'll just have coke, thanks.
Me: I’ll have a cranberry juice
Just saying.... SACRILEGE!
Love her videos. Content is top notch! Love her voice and accent. 🎉❤
"Just ask my bank manager". This hits deep.
I traded in my bank manager for a therapist..
The challenge is, since she has been introduced to Lagavulin, my wife likes Whisky, too. Simply disastrous!
As a total beginner, I have watched hours worth of videos trying to find one that "makes sense" to me, in an attempt to learn about scotch (or whiskeys in general) and how to drink them.... this was the most helpful, straightforward video I have seen on the subject so far.
Great job. Have a like and a sub. Keep em coming
Thanks pal, that’s so great to hear! You should check out the American whiskey series as well for more whisk(e)y facts 😊:
th-cam.com/play/PLq4QDlrfTBk3IGjc3p_Cmi5X0marfZSwT.html
I'd recommend treating yourself to the Auchentoshan Three Wood (pictured at 3:06) if you want a safe bet to dive in with. Easy going and tasty :)
The best way to drink it is straight from the bottle
Clear an concise without being condescending. I love how whisk(e)y is so much more accessible now, it's such a fun drink to sit around and talk about
That means so much, exactly what I was going for! We need less gate keeping and more drinking yummy whisky 😊
@@BehindtheBar Yes! It's great to find a chick on TH-cam with knowledge on this :D (And another Cara to boot lol)
🥰
I have no idea about alcohol and I don't like drinking at all, but the way you are describing the subject is mesmerizing.
Adding a splash of water to your single malt is excellent advice. It was a revelation to me the first time I thought to try it.
This video is amazing! I can’t get over it, just a nice, clear, straight explanation.
Thank you and slange 🥃
“Elixir of Life”. Poignant and spot on.
Uisce beatha
It’s the origin of the name interestingly enough. That’s roughly what whiskey translates to in old tongues.
That is literally just the translation of the Gaelic word into english. Or at least the closest translation out there :)
Yeah ... elixir of life until I wake up the next morning, ugh
Will it translates to water of life
You've really got some solid & informative videos here. "Neat on the rocks is not a thing - - sorry". That phase delivered in a Scottish accent made my day 😂😂😂
This is extremely helpful. No pretense, just great knowledge!
Thanks pal!
Thank goodness for a channel like this where you teach real knowledge instead of bullshit! Hats off to you young lady! 😃
Thank you pal!
Good info here. I do think it's important to note that adding water to some of the more oily scotches can actually make a stronger flavor since the water separates from the oil and the first sip is that oil sitting on top. Never had a smokey cokey...but I'll have to try that when I get home! Thanks!
I don't think that most people find the taste of the whisky disagreeable but recoil at the strength of the alcohol. So water would definitely help there.
After this video I wanted to try the Lagavulin and the
Auchentoshan. Looked up the prices....... I guess i'm not trying whiskey.
Oh no! That’s fair pal, I spend way too much of my income on booze haha.
@Long Nards it's $76 for me, is that reasonable?
@@BehindtheBar I find the Balvenie double wood quite nice and relatively affordable.
@@Movie_Games Depends on how you assign worth to it. If you're just starting out with whiskys, maybe not. Try enjoying some mid-priced ones at the lower 40% marks. Explore Bourbons more often than Ryes as I found that to be a better "bridge" into Scotch's. It won't take you long to begin to rationalize buying a $200 bottle of whisky because that's reasonable. :) Good luck in your journey.
Get the laphroaig 10 year. Similar to lagavulin 16 (not quite as good) but about half the price
Important update for 2020: Smelling is not free anymore!
Haha true!
I love making cocktails, and my husband writes fictional books that feature Scottish characters. We both love bourbon. I came to learn more about Scotch and heard your accent. Your TH-cam channel is a perfect combination for both of us.
Slàinte Mhath!🥃🏴
Aw this is my favourite comment! Would love to read one of your husband’s books!
My fellow whiskey consuming friend and I like bars that clearly have a lot of whiskeys and aren't super busy so we can pick the bar keeps brain and get something they suggest. Helps socialize the activity and we learn new things.
That’s my favourite way! I hardly ever go out on a Friday or Saturday for that reason haha
Thanks, informative and funny.
Yes, please tell us more about regional characteristics. While I do like peaty/smokey whiskies from Islay, I’ve learned that my palette changes from day to day and the best advice Ive been given is to not stick to your favourite but try something new.
Thanks Sam, I definitely will! I’m also a big fan of changing things up depending on my mood and trying new things 😊
As an Irishman and whiskey lover, single malt always with a few drops of cold water. It really does smoothe it out. Blended whiskey and ginger ale with lots of ice for the beginner 😀👍👍👍👍
By the way your channel is fantastic 😃👍👍👍 love it
I have a fond memory of the first time in a pub in Scotland and I asked if they had any single malt. The guy looked like he was looking for his double barreled whetever ... then a guy next to me said "Give him a Glenmorangie". After 40 odd years it's still my favorite. Nice video!
Hahaha that’s great story! Glad you found The One 😊
I gave you the thumbs up right when you said "Please don't make the mistake that we [women] don't know anything about whiskey. It's our job." you definitely know way more than men watching it here on how to order a whiskey. Thank you for teaching us.
Thank you for the Lagavulin + Coke tip. Will have to test this. I generally dislike mixing but have found it enjoyable to take sips of cola in between sips of whisky. Something works really well there for me.
As an Italian whisky lover I would rather add pineapple on pizza than coke in lagavulin (proud white horse owner)
@@quelodequelo Mmmmmm, pinapple is one of my favourite pizza toppings. Yum. ;-)
TH-cam recommended this to me and I am hopelessly, completely in love. I'm planning on just listening to this angelic voice over and over all day long. I don't even drink Scotch -- I'm an Irish whiskey guy, Jameson's usually -- but she could do a two-hour video on different brands of ketchup and I would still listen all day.
A young female waitress at a Whiskey bar in Melbourne years ago put me onto Ardbeg 10.....I’ve never looked back,what a dram,just beautiful 👍
The Laphroaig 10 is another great one.
Never tried Adberg i'll keep an eye out for it. i wasn't too impressed with highland park though Laphroig is nice enough but smaky for my taste. I keep going back to the Speysides. Tamdhu and Belvenie in particular though for its price Spey River is excellent
i'd still drink it.😜
@@Gealaiche If you haven't tried it yet, Cragganmore is lovely.
Ardbeg Supernova with the light taste of peat
😀 love the way she explains it , feels like a sister connection to this lady even though she is really pretty .
I would also suggest that a customer may ask for a glass other than a rocks glass to sample their whisky. A Glencairn or copita will always make for a better experience if available.
Excellent videos
Slàinte.
Damn kid! Love the way you talk "to me" instead of "at me"... Your a good teacher and I'm guessing fun to sit across the bar from... Cheers from Bluejean City!
Having a nice McCallen, on the rocks, with a nice cigar. If you are going to survive this COVID situation, might as well preserve your liver and lungs as much as possible. Slainte from West Texas!
You forgot the classic order "Whatever’s on the bottom shelf.”.
I love Lagavulin but I’ve never heard of a Smoky Cokey. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. 😊
It’s not for everyone but always fun to try something new and not take it too seriously!
Came for the whiskey, stayed n subscribed for the accent, beauty, style, frugality sensibility and knowledge 👌 well done lassy, if i may say so. 🙂🙂❤❤❤
Thanks pal, glad you liked it!
Surpringsingly educational for such a short video...Bravo!
If I had to mix a low end whisky, I prefer using ginger ale rather than coke. With the ginger ale, I can taste more of the flavors and think it pairs better. Coke is for rum IMO.
I am a big fan of sherried single malts, which have notes of sherry wine and a reddish hue. Aberlour is my favorite sherried brand I’ve tried so far if anyone wants to try something new!
The idea of Smokey Cokey seemed completely weird to me, because from my purist point of view whisky shall not be mixed with anything else than whisky, period. But having some remnants of peated Bunnahabhain I've tried to mix it with Kofola (our Czech version of Coca Cola) and it went surprisingly well. Thanks for the tip.
Answered all my questions regarding Scotch and all the while I felt like a good (and charismatic) friend was just showing me the way. Next stop: Scotland! Well done, thanks!
This is basic but accurate stuff. Great video for people who start or want to know more about whiskey in general. Good job 👍
Well done! I look forward to watching many more of these.
Thanks Pal! Hoping to do a Japanese whisky special soon so stay tuned.
definitely knows what she's talking about , I would know I spent almost 20 years as a bartender, and what a bonny lass
Don't like that glass for a single malt.
Aye. A bonnie lass indeed.
@@johnps1670 Depends on the person, and I have the same opinion not only for single malts, but for almost every type of whiskey except Bourbon and Irish.
"Gimme an islay that can kill 3 men at once" is how I order whisky.
Ah, Laphroaig, then.
@@BELCAN57 You know your Islays, you're talkin about my favourite!
@@AronFigaro Other than my three kids thats the only other thing I'm beholding to my ex wife for. She introduced me to it. 😄
@@BELCAN57 you poor man
@@BELCAN57 😍
My wife loves Irish whisky so I sent this to her, thank you for the great descriptions.
Great! As soon as we can film again we have an Irish whiskey extravaganza planned so make sure she stays tuned 😊
Crash course in whisky ordering that was very informative.Thanks.Been given an Oban single malt so lets get it opened!! Smokey cokey was something new i've learned.
The best way to drink Whiskey is the way you like it, Neat, on the rocks, in a cocktail....the only thing that matters is how YOU like it.
Amen!
Andreas I’ve been drinking the stuff for well over 50 years. Taking it with or without water would depend on the whisky but without water usually. Seven years years ago I managed to develop stage 3 cancer of my tongue and neck. 18 months ago I tried a dram of my 12 yr old Glenturret and it was impossible to drink it until I got to 50-50 with water. Which is where I am today. I get all the flavours and a touch of bite which is perfect for me. So nobody can tell me it is sacrilege to use water. As you say it is how you like it. There are too many macho men and whisky snobs around. Sláinte 🥃. P S. I love Turret, Old Pultney (I lived in Caithness for 12 years) and Glendronach is beautiful. I also just got re acquainted with Bunnahabhain.
"How to order Whisky like a Boss!"
However the hell you want!!! Its your damn drink......and you're a Boss.
Beautiful. Ginger. Scottish brogue. Drinks whiskey. Am I getting a glimpse of what awaits in heaven?
Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to film and edit it and of course for positing it for our benefit. Keep up the good work! -Migs
Our pleasure Migs, thank you for the kind words!
@@BehindtheBar Coke and Lagavullin. I have to try that. Jack and Coke is of course a common staple. Mostly I enjoy whiskey neat. Maybe you can make a video comparing say a 12yr old Macallan with its brother, the Quest. Or an Old Parr with the Sandy Mac. What are the differences?
Migs we definitely plan on having heaps more whisk(e)y chat 😊
So happy to see the Auchentoshan Three Wood in the mix. It is a beautiful drop, and always my recommendation to anyone new to whisky that may be intimidated or unaccustomed to heavily peated scotches.
Absolutely, tastes like Christmas cake! I often recommend it to people starting out on their whisky journey also 🥃
I laughed my assss off when you said smokey cokey . Never thought of trying it, maybe I will in the future. Nice video
I know this is a year old, but I just stumbled on this channel and I am OBSESSED! With stuff having gone virtual, a live whiskey tasting on zoom session or the like with Cara would be solid gold! I’d buy tickets! 😄
So glad you like it Angel! I’ve attended many virtual tastings but haven’t hosted any yet- you’ll be the first to know if I do! Haha
I would have exchanged the glasses. Noosing for the whisky, tumbler for the water ;-) very good video apart from that!
Haha fair, I was just drinking the whisky here 😉 but I’ll use snifters if we ever do a proper tasting!
Dork
You have such a nice and pleasant attitude while sharing your passion of bar & booze. Thank you! If we are near your bar at any time we will be stopping by!
Thank you for the kind words and I’d love to host you at some point 😊
I could listen to her tell me stories forever.
Now I'm conflicted, you got me curious about the smoky cokey but seems like a waste of that wonderful Lagavulin 16yr. As far as ways to enjoy whisky, sipping bourbon around a campfire on a chilly evening is hard to beat.
Haha it’s really just my way of saying not to take it all too seriously and that bartenders shouldn’t judge people who prefer to mix their whiskies! Drink it as you like- by a campfire is ideal 🔥 🥃
Behind the Bar it sounds pretty good, but I just could not get myself to drink Lag 16 any other way but neat or maybe while adding a drop of water here and there to see how it dances... if someone else was paying, I’d love to try it though!
@@Ellion_vt I'm the same with my incredibly smokey Laphroaig 10, have never mixed it with anything other than ice or a few drops of water! However, I am very curious to try a "Smoky Cokey" so I'd recommend maybe buying a bottle of Famous Grouse Smoky Black, to try it. It's what I get if I can't afford a good smoky single malt and is often reduced in Tesco to £14!!
Totally agree. Lagavulin alone is the nectar of the gods and is meant to be enjoyed as such. I'd would try this with a much cheaper Islay first.
@@alexanderweaver1876 try Islay Storm if you can find it. It's only $20 here in the states, which is less than the smokey famous grouse, is single malt, smokier, and much tastier.
I always watch alcohol tutorial videos just to learn even though i don't drink alcohol 👌🏻
"Yes, I am going to have three fingers of Glenlivet with a little bit of pepper, and, uh, some cheese."
-Ron Burgundy
My friend loves cappuccino with parm and ho pepper :D Same vibes
Hiya, I'm an italian barman that has lived in Edinburgh for nearly ten years, worked in a few places but the best experience was at the Scotsman Hotel. More precisely I was the bartender of the bar called"Room399" due to the number of whisky available. Yep, almost all of them. I learnt a lot about whisky and the Scottish culture and I love it. In fact I love to hear you speak, I like your voice, your accent, and guess what? I like YOU too. Soooo pritty, pure healthy 😍🤣
I luv your videos, you got a new subscriber 💚🤍❤️ ciao 👋😘
Indeed, absolutely devine Mrs Cara!
Here’s another tip, the names of some scotch can be intimidating for a non-Scot to say. But there’s a series of videos on TH-cam where actor Brian Cox says the name of every major distillery. Search TH-cam for “Brian Cox whisky” and order your Glenmorangie or Laphroaig with confidence.
Good tip!
th-cam.com/play/PL6TwbysAXiWKQfv9GFWwsGhyjeMDShAqp.html .
Those are easy. Try pronouncing Caol Ila or Glengarrioch or Ancnoc or Ledaig.
FYI, he mispronounces many of the names, ie Bruichladdich.
Bill Balistreri does he? That’s how I would say it!
Smokey Cokey is not a bad name for it! I often enjoy a good Colaphroaig at home, myself 😄
Wtf
Never heard of a Smokey Cokey before. Note to self: buy Coke.
Note to myself buy smoke.
That's why he plans on doing it at home.
@Wil Sain for science!
Loved your accent. Reminds me of the time I lived in St. Andrews, my birth town. My favourite whiskies: Laphroaig and Ardbeg. I try to permanently keep a bottle of both at my pantry for special occasions. I mostly drink them neat as I think it is a shame to dilute this precious liquid with any mixer thus altering their original character. Talisker is another one I enjoy and currently have an open bottle at home. It is not as peaty as the previous two, but fits in the category I deem as very special malts. In order to savour these malts I have I ritual of my own: carefully pour a shot in a tulip glass, some roasted almonds or cashew nuts on the side, a good netflix series on the telly and I’m all set for the night!
When I’m not in the mood to spend so much in a dram I go for blends, my favourite one being 12-year-old Chivas Regal from Sthathila distillery in Keith. My greatest disappointment so far was Johnny Walker Blue Label. I once had a bottle in my collection but when I finally opened and tasted it I was surprised at how bland and uninteresting it was. To be honest, of all the Johhny Walker brands (I tasted them all) my favourite is the cheapest one, i.e. the red label. Although I also enjoy whiskies from other countries (Ireland, US, Canada and Japan), I won”t comment on them as my post is already too long!
Love it. Cocktail making is known to be a science, and not just because of its magical powers to uplift moods all over. But, add the right music in the background and you have the mood to relax and enjoy the day!
No clue how I ended up here but I do love the accent...and whiskey so why not stay haha
Hearing you say “Smokey Cokey” was pretty damn epic.
With the head tilt!
Cheers all the way from Mexico City. My dad loved his whisky, and so I follow the tradition. We have tequila and mezcal here that are mostly served "neat" . I recently tasted Bruichladdich and it was amazing. What other similar single malts would you recommend, I have traveled several times to Scotland to visit relatives and I find it amazing, every single aspect including ..... the weather. Saludos!
Hahaha not sure I believe you on the weather! I’m so glad you like it though, it’s an awesome country and I swear the whisky tastes better there 😜. I can’t wait to get to Mexico at some point!
Cloud, rains, fogs, it is so good :) . You don't sweat, you can comfortably bike to work and you have more options to make a stylish outlook :) In hot countries the only option is shorts and tops :D
Trust us; when you wake up at 9am in 31°c mexican weather, you long for cloudy & rainy days
@@DannyIvarsson Eeeeeexactly ;D
I could listen to her talk all day long! Good information, but what a wonderful accent!
Sometime i gotta say youtube recommendation can be very distinctive but this is one fine recommendation. Cheers
My Scottish grandfather used to have a scotch and soda every night for his nightcap. I’m pretty sure he drank Johnny Walker Red but probably only because we didn’t have a lot of money.
My Grandpa was a Famous Grouse man! Scotch and soda is one of my favourite highballs :)
Came for whiskey, stayed for the knowledge
Fantastic video. Curious if you drink the Lagavulin and Coke on the rocks, or if the Coke is cold or room temp? I guess I'll try all three ways and decide on my fave... teehee! Thanks!
I’ve only ever had it on the rocks (as a highball) but let me know how your experiments go haha!
@@BehindtheBar Wish I could send a pic. Ordered a Smokey Cokey on ice. Game changer. My Lagavulin straight friend was reticent, and now... it's gonna be a great night! Delicious! Thanks!!
Yay, a convert! Glad to hear it haha
@@edwinm.2425 Sounds like a great night - always nice to welcome new members to the Smokey Cokey Club!!
I agree with using the cheap stuff for mixing and the high end for sipping. I am a whiskey sour guy myself but have a few bottles of single malt.
Excellent point on not judging a book by its cover i.e. the bartender’s age. First, I’m old and everyone is younger than me. Second, a asking a few questions of your bartender will quickly let you know if she/he knows a thing or two about a thing or two! Thanks for the video!
This was great. Usually on these videos there are two pretentious half wits talking out there rear-ends but this is no frills, straight talk. Nearly as good as Ralfy, and easier to look at.
😂
Whiskey is good but to me bourbon is my choice. I am an older gentleman, l drink only 1 or 2 with my meal, not looking to get my load on, just enough to take the edge off the day, about twice a month. As an elected member of our small Alaskan town I do have responsibility to the citizens. Been a bartender and several other jobs in my life. You have a great podcast. Stay happy and healthy during this pandemic.
It’s great to savour! Thanks pal, glad you’ve enjoyed them 😊
Nice! Best way to drink whisky is slow I reckon.
You wrote, "As an elected member of our small Alaskan town . . ." Does your town elect the people who can live in that town??? Isn't that against all sorts of discrimination laws in the USA? Maybe you drank a few too many boubons before you typed your comment above? lol
Or were you elected to your town's council? Or elected mayor? Dogcatcher? Inquiring minds want to know.
I was elected into our local flood board. There we go over permits prior to sending up the trail to other agencies. Our local bourogho rep and l do our best to protect and help those permit applicants from interference with permit agencies. Many of our local citizens appreciate our efforts. To us these are our local taxpayers and they need a wall of defence in several permits. That's what we do.
Smokey Cokey...”there’s a special place in hell for people who waste good scotch” -Michael Fassbender Inglorious Bastards
I wish I was rich enough to have lagavulin 16 with my coke. That's a $100 bottle in my area.
Ron Swanson would agree
@@cornstarch6955 I bought one at my country at 61,70€
@@rafaelcarmo5562 $70, not bad.
@@cornstarch6955 Yeh, but we have a minimum wage of 635€/month
Please share more on the complexities of flavor profiles! Loved this vid, subscribed, now on to more of your videos!
Me as well... Loving the accent! Beautiful maiden and very smart drink choices. Happy New Year everyone!
"ehm... Hi, I'd like a beer and your second cheapest whiskey."
That's me. But hey I've learned something today
Hey man, works for the wine list 😜
So if a whisky is made in Scotland, does that automatically make it Scotch whisky? Are blended whiskies made in Scotland still considered Scotch? What if it’s made from corn like American whiskey, but still made in Scotland?
Hey pal! Legally, Scottish whisky means a whisky produced in Scotland which has ‘been distilled at a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley, to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added.’
So blends are still Scotch, they just have to have a portion of malted barley in them, but a full corn whisky would not technically be Scottish whisky. There are also ageing requirements- it has to be ages in oak barrels for at least 3 years.
I guess technically if someone wanted to make a corn whisky they’d have to call it ‘corn spirit’ or something. You’re seeing a lot of that in Australia with people saying ‘sugar cane spirit’ to get around the ageing requirement to be called rum, but I haven’t seen anyone experimenting with that kind of thing in Scotland- interesting question!
Theoretically correct but no distillery in Scotland would ever try doing that, i mean the place is small, the number of companies are limited so just stick with whatever you do best. Like Champagne.
I like adding a touch of sparkling water, such as San Pellegrino.
Thank you for that awesome idea!
I would love to see videos kind of like the one you did about Vermouth where you compare different bottles and talk about the history, features, flavors, details, common mixes, etc. of vodka/rum/tequila! :) i want to learn more about these liquors so i could have a true conversation about them/try to know what i am talking about when i taste them! love the videos, thank you!!!
Great channel, and love your content, lots of great cocktails to make from your recipes, and great whiskey detail, I’ll have have to believe you on the coke mixer, I’m very much just water with my single malt. A few more great Irish whiskeys to add, Writers Tears have a few great examples, it is near to where I’m from and a very nice drink.