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Bourbon lovers can be adamant about how their favorite drink should be enjoyed, and most have a rationale to support their opinion. Whether to drink it neat, pour it over ice, or mix it in a classic whiskey cocktail, it’s a debate with no clear winners or losers.
For us, bourbon is a drink capable of remarkable expression that can be adapted to any mood or occasion. At the end of a long day’s work, it’s an earned reward that celebrates the day and eases the flow into night. With friends, it’s a way to light up the palate and elevate the joy of friendship and togetherness. We even prepared some toasting tips and interesting whisky-drinking traditions from the West you can share with the group.
All that is to say, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to drinking bourbon – but we have a few tips to help you make the most of any bourbon-tasting experience.
Drinking bourbon neat means pouring it into a glass and enjoying it without adding anything to it. As for the terminology, when we say “neat,” we refer to the spirit in a rocks or whiskey glass, not a shot glass.
Rocks glasses are a staple on every whiskey-lover’s back bar, but it’s fun to experiment with different types of glassware to see how they impact the taste. Whiskey-nosing glasses, also called Glencairn glasses, have a wider bottom and a fluted opening, which concentrates and lifts the aromas, greatly enhancing the tasting experience.
If you’re tasting a bourbon for the first time, we recommend trying it neat first, as it is the ideal representation of the spirit.
When we talk about adding water to whiskey, we generally mean a couple of drops or a splash at most. Adding a little bit of water helps to open up its flavors and aromas and is especially recommended for overproof whiskies. Bourbons bottled at cask strength can be quite strong, and the high alcohol can dull your palate. A couple of drops of water make it less intense without diluting it.
Experiment to find your perfect balance. Start with a couple of drops and scale up as needed—you can always add more, but you can’t remove it.
Pro tip: Use spring or distilled water. Tap water can be chlorinated and may add flavors to your bourbon.
Whether or not to ice a bourbon is a perennial discussion. Some prefer a single cube, while others like to fill the glass with ice. Ultimately, it’s up to your preference, but there are some considerations since whiskey temperature affects taste.
Firstly, ice will melt; therefore, it will dilute your spirit.
Larger cubes melt slower and won’t dilute the whiskey as fast. Add a Pendleton® Whisky Ice Cube Tray to your back bar, and the problem is solved! If using smaller cubes, one or two will do.
You might also consider whiskey stones. These are reusable metal or stone cubes you keep in the freezer and use like ice. They will keep your bourbon cold without watering it down.
Bourbon is incredibly versatile in cocktails. It pairs perfectly with sweet flavors, citrus, herbs, fruits, liqueurs, and other spirits, adding a distinctively spicy warmth that can be comforting or invigorating, depending on how you mix it.
Substitute bourbon in any classic whiskey cocktail, like an old-fashioned, a Manhattan, whisky sour, mint julep, or hot toddy.
Not sure where to start? Our in-house mixologists have concocted a few signature cocktails to highlight Pendleton® 1910 Bourbon, and you can try them all!
Before you get started, be sure to stock up on a few back bar staples and accessories:
