Are You Drinking Whiskey Wrong? The Best Way to Enjoy It

April 23, 2025

How to Sip, Savour and Appreciate Whiskey Like a True Home Distiller

Pull up a stool, pour yourself a dram, and let’s have a proper yarn about whiskey—your whiskey.

If you’re someone who’s ever sat back with a glass in hand and thought, “Am I doing this right?”—welcome to the club. You're not alone. We’ve all seen those movies where some smooth operator takes a neat whiskey with a sly smirk, like they know something the rest of us don’t. But guess what? There’s no secret code to drinking whiskey, just a few common-sense shifts that’ll turn your sipping into something truly special—especially if you’re making it yourself.

You're the Maker. So Make It Worth It.

If you've taken the leap into crafting your own spirits at home, then you've probably experienced the first hit of pride: seeing your bottled creation lining your shelf. It’s not just any whiskey, it’s your whiskey. That sunset-coloured liquid carries patience, precision, and your personal flavour chase.

Using quality flavouring like the Still Spirits Top Shelf Whiskey Essence is one of the easiest ways to go from gritty guesswork to smooth results. It dials in those deep oak and caramel tones that take your spirit from backyard brew to something you actually crave after a long day.

This sort of flavour builder isn’t just about taste—it’s about control. You get that satisfying «yes!» moment when your glass gives back that rich, full-bodied flavour you were aiming for. That’s the goal, isn't it? A pour you can actually be proud of.

Here's Where Most People Get It Wrong

Let’s be honest, grabbing a bottle, twisting off the cap and throwing back a shot is technically drinking whiskey. But it doesn’t do justice to the work that went into making it — or your palate. If you’re skipping the nose, ignoring the glass, or drowning it in mixers, then you may as well be sipping mop water. Respect the pour, mate.

Wrong glassware. That clunky tumbler in your cupboard feels classic, but it can hide aromatics that a tulip-shaped glass would enhance.
Shooting instead of sipping. You’re crafting top-shelf stuff here. This is no time to rush. Let it sit, swirl a little, breathe a bit. Taste evolves with those few extra seconds.
Drinking it ice-cold out of the fridge. Cooler isn’t always better. A touch of warmth opens up the complexity—the layers you spent time building in that bottle.

Flip the Script: How to Sip with Intention

Picture this: you’re in your backyard. The sun’s dipped behind the hill and the grill’s cooling down. Your glass? It holds something you're actually proud of. Your whiskey hums with silky caramel and a whisper of oak. You smell it before that first sip. You pause, let it hit the tip of the tongue, then roll across slowly. That richness? Came from your hands.

The true enjoyment may begin with creation, but it lives in respect. Take that moment. Let the aroma hit, and give it five to ten minutes of glass time if you’re nursing a strong batch. Nose, swirl, taste... Then maybe, toss in an ice cube if it’s calling for it. Or go one better and add a splash of filtered water. Not to dilute, but to tease the flavours out.

Custom Whiskey? Yes, It's a Thing.

This one’s for my tinkers, blenders and flavour chasers. If you’ve been experimenting with profiles, there’s real joy in finding your signature twist. That’s where Still Spirits Whiskey Profile D steps in—a quiet game-changer. With rich vanilla and chocolate notes, it adds a surprising depth without overpowering the base.

I know a bloke who toyed around with a mix using Profile D after “accidentally” over-oaking his spirit last winter. He passed it off like planned genius. Guests were rapt. And fair enough—the warmth from vanilla rounded out the edge, making it smoother than ever. That’s the brilliant thing about flavour kits. They give you a starting point, and your choices bring it to life.

Smooth Doesn’t Mean Weak

Don’t let anyone tell you whiskey has to burn to ‘taste real’. Time and balance do far more than alcohol fire ever will. That buttery mouthfeel? That unbeatable warmth? That’s smooth working its magic. So next time someone turns up their nose because you’ve crafted a whiskey that goes down too easy… pour them another and smile.

A Toast to the Home Brewers

When you’ve spent the time distilling, flavouring and bottling, you deserve a final experience worthy of the effort. Whiskey isn’t just a drink, it’s a mindset. A reward at the end of a long day. An invitation to reflect, unwind and enjoy something real.

Whether you’re reaching for the deep oak vibes of Top Shelf Whiskey Essence or putting your mark on a blend with Whiskey Profile D, the goal stays the same—make it yours.

Cheers to every small step you take towards that perfect glass. May your stills stay hot, your mash stay clean, and your whiskey always taste like a job well done.

Warm regards,
Candeece