365 | Day 1 | January 1, 2010

Location | New York City

Glenfidditch Scotch - Aged 12 Years

Yesterday was the beginning of what would turn into a long (and fun) night. It was New Year’s Eve, I was hosting a bash at my friend, Ning’s, and with a fridge filled only with alcohol (beer, beer and more beer) as well as a bar stocked with whiskey, vodka, rum, etc, we were ready to party.

When the night was winding down, my friend John decided he’d take it upon himself to teach me how to drink (and enjoy!?) scotch. Ning had 2 bottles of scotch in his apartment, Glenlivet, Aged 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Glenfidditch, also Aged 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Now, I know absolutely nothing about scotch. Frankly, I had no idea that it had to be distilled in Scotland. You’d think I’d make a connection… scotch… Scotland… scotch… Scotland… and no… I did not.

So here’s John’s advice (and this is assuming that you’re like me, knowing nothing about scotch):

• Scotch is a sipping drink. It must never be swallowed like a shot.
• Scotch is a sweet drink. Smell it before you sip.
• Sip the scotch so that it is at the front of your mouth, where the tip of your tongue is (where the sweet receptors are) and swirl slightly to taste
• Swallow the scotch and breathe out through your nose. Keep mouth shut (or else you’ll feel the scotch burn).

As strange as this all sounds (and also slightly obvious). This took me FOREVER to master. Boy, I felt completely ridiculous trying to do this careful “dance” in my mouth with tongue, scotch, breathing, mouth shut. Of course, my mouth and throat were burning after awhile because I was having trouble trying to understand how someone could enjoy scotch.

I have a feeling that it’s going to be one of those “acquired taste” things, but maybe I can get into it? Despite that completely tipsy drunken feeling I had only after a little bit.