Drinking whisky might seem a simple task, but the art of whisky drinking is one honed by serious aficionados over centuries.

How do you drink whisky?

Whisky drinking is a leisurely art that’s all about appreciating the fine drop and the artisanship behind it – and it should never be subject to poorly chosen mixers. Here’s how to properly enjoy a drop of the golden liquid.

First, pour a single drink’s worth (30mls) of whisky into a short glass, (‘glass’ being the key word here), allowing it to open up. Now, smell the whisky as you would a wine, to gain a better understanding of its characteristics. The first whiff might just smell like alcohol – if that’s the case, take a couple more inhalations of the drink. By slightly opening your mouth while you inhale, you can actually assess the scent a little better.

Now comes the tasting. Before adding any ice or water to your glass, take a small sip of the whisky, rolling it around in your mouth to better savour the flavours. Do you detect caramel notes? Perhaps vanilla? For new whisky drinkers, alcohol might the overwhelming taste. In that case, take a sip of water to cleanse the palette slightly then take another small sip of the whisky to try again.

What do you drink whisky with?

Some serious whisky drinkers prefer to enjoy their whisky neat, but if you’re new to the game, or prefer your whisky a little less on the nose, it’s time to add a tiny splash of water. Many fully-fledged whisky drinkers will actually carry a small dropper to ensure the whisky isn’t overly diluted. A few drops are sometimes all that’s required to open up the flavours. Stir gently and taste as you go, to see the change in your whisky as the water is added. You might like to add ice to your whisky too – just remember that this will further dilute your drink as it melts.

Of course, you can enjoy whisky in cocktails too – namely the Manhattan, an Old Fashioned, a Whiskey Sour, Mint Juleps or a simple High Ball. Just be sure to use a recipe, so you don’t overwhelm the whisky. If in doubt, ask a friendly bartender to make one for you.

The professionals say you should allow 30-60 minutes to enjoy a single whisky, so slow and steady is key to playing it like a pro.