Whisky has always been my drink of choice—not just because it’s delicious, but because it’s incredibly diverse. Whether it’s a crisp highball before dinner, a rich dram by the fire, or an inventive cocktail, whisky offers something for every occasion. It’s a spirit that invites exploration, with endless flavours shaped by ingredients, casks, and climate. And beyond the glass, whisky has the power to make a real impact—supporting rural communities, driving sustainability, and challenging outdated traditions about who drinks it and how.

In this piece, I want to share why whisky means so much to me. From the way I love to drink whisky to the values I seek in a great distillery, I believe whisky has the potential to be more than just a drink—it can be a force for change.

The Diversity of Whisky 

Without wishing to state the obvious, the main reason I love to drink whisky is that it’s absolutely delicious and incredibly diverse—both in flavour and in how it can be served.

Whilst many people associate whisky with a late-night occasion, perhaps after dinner, I believe it is the ultimate aperitif. The word “aperitif” comes from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open,” and the right whisky and serve does just that. While many classic aperitifs lean towards sweetness—think G&T or a Kir Royale—or bittersweetness, like a Negroni or a Spritz, a fruity, unpeated whisky, especially when served with soda, doesn’t leave your mouth feeling like you’ve gobbled too many sweets. 

In my eyes, a whisky highball (or Whisky Six, as we call it) is the perfect pre-dinner drink. It’s crisp, refreshing, bubbly, and long, but never overly sweet. The soda subtly enhances the whisky’s flavours, allowing them to shine without the higher ABV of a neat whisky taking over. Plus, it pairs exceptionally well with food like olives, nuts, and cheese, and it’s incredibly easy to make. In fact, we love the recipe so much at Nc’nean that we’ve printed it on the side of every bottle.

The diversity of flavour and approach keeps me coming back to whisky to explore more. There is a huge range of flavour profiles—fruity, creamy, jammy, citrusy, smoky—and a growing number of new distilleries, whether in Scotland, the United States, or further afield in regions never before associated with whisky production, like Scandinavia or England. There is so much variety in production methods, raw ingredients, casks, and climates.

Choosing Sustainable Spirits 

Within this huge variety, I seek out distilleries that are doing more than just making delicious whisky. This could mean a commitment to distilling more sustainably or supporting small rural communities.

The drinks industry can be very carbon-intensive—distilling itself requires significant energy, and transport and packaging add to the impact. But distilleries like Cardrona in New Zealand, Marble Distilling in the US, Belgrove in Australia, and Ardnamurchan in Scotland (and us at Nc’nean!) are embedding sustainability into their business, protecting the planet while also creating great-tasting whiskies. 

Key things to look for when choosing a whisky include the organic logo, natural cork stoppers, bottles without gift tubes, and blue or green glass, which often contains a higher percentage of recycled material than clear glass. You can also research which producers are using regenerative agricultural practices or renewable energy sources to power production.

Supporting Local Communities 

In many parts of the world, whisky distilleries are a vital source of employment for rural, remote communities. The significance of this cannot be underestimated. In Scotland, for example, rural populations are forecast to decline as more jobs become city-centric. When that happens, schools close, shops shut, and entire communities begin a downward spiral.

Creating skilled, year-round employment on the remote Morvern peninsula has been a key part of our mission at Nc’nean, and we’ve increased it by 92% since we started. Beyond direct employment and support for agriculture, whisky also plays a major role in Scotland’s tourism industry, with rural economies benefiting directly from the knock-on effects of whisky tourism.

Drink Whisky Your Way 

If you’re considering stepping into the world of whisky—or if you already love it—my final thought is simple: drink it how you like and with whom you like. Scotch, in particular, has become too steeped in ‘rules’ and assumptions about who drinks it, and I’d love to see that change.

The way whisky is served has become much more diverse, with Japan’s fondness for the whisky highball sparking a global trend a couple of decades ago. Of course, whisky cocktails aren’t new—an Old Fashioned is one of the most widely consumed cocktails in the world—but more people are now recognising the importance of the base spirit in whisky-focused cocktails.

Women Drinking Whisky 

Who drinks whisky is also, thankfully, becoming more diverse. Forty percent of whisky drinkers in the U.S. are women, yet many people still assume that whisky is mostly a man’s drink. I want other women to feel that whisky is for them too, and fortunately, we’re seeing that shift happen.

From our own consumer research, we can see the number of female and male subscribers in our newsletter database moving closer to a 50/50 split each year. This balance is something we actively strive for, helping to build a future where whisky is truly enjoyed by everyone.

Read the full article at Nc’nean’s Annabel Thomas on Why Whisky Is Her Go-To Drink of Choice