Scotch whisky is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most celebrated beverages. What was originally made as a beverage to satisfy a shortage of grapes is now a highly desired favourite across the world, with connoisseurs and producers the world over revelling in its smoky delight!

If you are just starting out your journey to Scotch bon vivantism you are probably wondering how to go about drinking this legendary spirit. This is only natural, of course, as this is a beverage that must be enjoyed properly to be enjoyed to the fullest.

But don’t worry – there are no real tricks to drinking it neat, rocky or mixed up in a refreshing cocktail – all you need is a little knowledge and you will soon be drinking like a true aficionado.

Here are the three ways to drink the best whisky range Australia has like a peat-laden pro:

1. Drinking Scotch neat

Any Scotch or Irish whisky can be enjoyed neat, especially as it is the ultimate way to experience the myriad aromas and flavours that pertain to every drop. The best way to drink Scotch straight is at room temperature, taking a tulip-shaped glass to allow the drop’s flavours to dance on your tastebuds. The bowl shape will carry the delightful aromas through the narrowed rim and straight to your smell and taste tantalisation.

Tip: Once you start to understand Scotch’s flavour profiles a little better, be sure to add a little water to enhance the aroma and flavour characteristics, as this will make it even more enjoyable to drink (make sure it’s springwater – it’s flavour won’t disturb the drop!).

2. Drinking on the rocks

Drinking Scotch over ice does, if logic and science prevails, decrease its temperature, but this works to make it more refreshing on a hot summer’s day. But be warned: putting ice in Scotch does diminish its fascinating flavour profile and dilutes the drink as the ice melts.

Note: Absolutely never use old ice from the freezer, unless you want your Scotch to take on the awkward flavour of three month old beef mince that’s still waiting its turn to be put into spag bol!

3. Whisky cocktails

Some people have the idea that Scotch is an exclusive beverage that can only be drunk by the hardest of pellets – but this simply isn’t so! In fact, there are many delightfully refreshing and taste-tantalising cocktails you can explore using this ancient spirit, with its wonderful flavour profiles working to enhance a good cocktail’s refreshing enjoyment.

After all, drinking Scotch straight is, to be fair, for the more acquired of aficionado tastes, and therefore you might like to use a bottle to mix with tonic. Tonic water is the ultimate classic: bitter, refreshing and vivacious, it helps create a truly refreshing mix, especially when partnered with a little grapefruit or lemon.

If you really want to ramp up your cocktail making, why not try the classic whisky sour? All it is is two parts Scotch, one part lemon juice and half a part of sugar syrup and it is simply superb. You can even choose to mix in a little egg white to add some of that true foamy goodness that makes this drink so divine.

These are the three main ways to drink Scotch like a seasoned veteran. Of course, this drink, like other hobbies, may take some training to acquire the taste that makes it such a wonderful experience, but nothing that was effort worth doing was without its challenges, now was it?