Whiskey 101: A How-To and Primer For Beginners

Recently, I was invited by DIY and creative lifestyle site Brit + Co to create an introduction post for those who were interested in learning more about tasting and enjoying whiskey, but never quite knew where to start. Since Brit + Co has a largely female readership, I wrote it in the style of “a woman’s introduction to whiskey” (hence the lipstick), but it works equally well for any novice who’d like to have a little more info.

From the piece:

Look – I’m the first to admit that there’s nothing gender specific about whiskey or any other spirit, and I know quite a few awesome ladies who can appreciate a tumbler of neat single malt with the best of them. But I also know quite a few women who would love to know more about this stereotypically “masculine” spirit, and simply don’t know where to start.

So, whether you’re already a fan and want to learn a little more, or think that stuff tastes like a fiery bog in a glass, there’s lots to know and a lot to love about whiskey. 

I shared a guide to some basic styles of whiskey – bourbon, rye, Scotch, etc – and also included three cocktail recipes to try to get started, including a whiskey lemonade, a light and fizzy drink called the Heiress, and the ManMade recipe for the classic Old Fashioned. 

Check out the full tutorial at Brit + Co: WHISKEY 101: A PRIMER FOR BEGINNERS & EXPERTS ALIKE