We’ve all seen whisky (or whiskey) ordered in a number of ways, whether that’s in person, on television, or in books and films. But why are there so many different ways to order the same drink?
You don’t hear many other drinks being ordered this way, so to avoid any confusion, which should you choose when drinking whisky? Neat or on the rocks? And what does ordering something ‘up’ actually mean?
Hopefully, this guide will take away some of the confusion or intimidation when ordering whisky at a bar.
What Does ‘Neat’ Mean?
Whisky served neat comes without ice, water, or mixers. It’s poured straight from the bottle into your glass as a single or double serving.
I would say this is the most classic way of drinking whisky.
What Does ‘Up’ Mean?
This is a term typically reserved for cocktails. Spirit-forward cocktails such as a Manhattan or Sazerac can be served “up,” meaning the cocktail is mixed or stirred with ice, chilled, and then strained into a glass without ice.
So, unlike whisky served neat, a drink served up has usually been chilled before it reaches your glass.
How Does Neat Whisky Taste?
Well, that depends entirely on what whisky you’ve ordered. Drinking it neat gives you the whisky exactly as it comes from the bottle, without anything else changing its temperature, strength, aroma, or flavor.
A pour of Jameson will be sweet, light, and led by vanilla. Johnnie Walker Black Label will be a little richer and spicier, with some smoke to it and a finish that lingers a little longer on your taste buds.
Something radically different, like a cask-strength bourbon, can be much more powerful in both spice and flavor. It might give the tip of your tongue a little burn, but the flavors on the finish can last for ages.
With something this strong, normally 50% ABV or more, you might want to add a little water to dilute it and potentially open up more flavors.
I would say that drinking whisky neat can be a more rewarding experience because you can really get to know a whisky the longer you have it in the glass, especially if you’re eating or trying other spirits alongside it.
Neat vs. On The Rocks
Ordering something on the rocks simply means asking for it with ice. It’s as simple as that.
Adding ice to whisky chills the spirit and can reduce some of its aroma and flavor. However, on a hot day, I can’t blame you for ordering it this way.
Personally, this isn’t how I enjoy drinking whisky. I try it every year and, for me, chilling whisky tends to make the alcohol stand out more while muting some of the aromas from the cask or the character of the spirit.
Ordering whisky neat isn’t a more “serious” choice, though. It’s always about personal preference.
The only caveat I have is that if you’re ordering something you’ve never tried before, I’d suggest ordering it neat first and seeing how it tastes. You can always add ice or water afterward. It’s considerably more difficult to remove either, and it will hurt your wallet if you have to order the whole drink again.
Does Neat Mean No Ice?
Yes. As simple as that.
Although when I worked in bars, someone did once ask me for “Glenfiddich 12 on the rocks, neat.” This caused some confusion and showed that he didn’t really understand what the terms meant.
Don’t be that person.
Should You Drink Whisky Neat?
I would say so, yes. That’s how I choose to drink whisky whenever I pour myself something.
If I’m reviewing a whisky, I’ll often add water toward the end of the sample to see whether it makes any significant difference.
Ice is something I’ve never really got along with. For me, it takes away some of the fun of the whisky. Again, that’s entirely personal preference.
Does Scotch Work Well Neat?
Absolutely!
I could argue that Scotch whisky has one of the most diverse sets of flavors in the spirits world. Different regions, still shapes, peated and unpeated styles, and countless cask types mean the possibilities are enormous.
I choose to drink Scotch neat because that’s how I enjoy it, but if you want to add ice and see whether that works for you, go for it.
Again, if you’re drinking something at cask strength, I’d still recommend trying it neat first. Taste it as it comes from the bottle and see what you think.
If it’s too powerful, and cask-strength whiskies certainly can be at times, add a little water and taste it again. This is a more subtle form of dilution compared with ice. You can change the strength and potentially unlock different flavors without chilling the whisky at the same time.
Neat, Rocks, or Water: Drink It Your Way
Like so many things with whisky, this ultimately comes down to personal choice. The point of this guide is simply to clear up the terminology and explain what each order means.
Neat whisky is served exactly as it comes from the bottle. On the rocks means served over ice. ‘Up’ is normally reserved for cocktails that have been chilled and strained without ice. Adding water is another option, particularly if you’re drinking something at a higher strength.
Pour a glass of something you’ve got at home and try it neat. Then add a little water. Then try it with ice.
Get experimental. You’ve still got the rest of the bottle.
Read the full article at Whisky Neat, Up, or On The Rocks: What They Mean And Which To Choose
