Anyone who drinks whiskey could already guess that Jack Daniels was never going to be the starting point for a beginner. Sure, it goes well with most mixers, but as a gateway into true whiskey love, it just isn't it.
The first whiskey someone should begin by drinking, if they're really going to become obsessed, needs to be accessible and yet enticing. There is no point going in with a delicious Petey Bog water from the highlands of Scotland. Also, giving someone a deep, dark, Bourbon might blow their taste buds out. The first dram has to be that kiss from the golden angel that will keep them coming back.
So, Vinepair went out and asked 20 bartenders what they thought the best whiskey for a beginner would be. Nobody knows whiskey like a bartender, and their suggestions were all excellent.
Whiskey To Try As A Beginner
The first dram someone sips if they're looking to become a whiskey drinker needs to meet a few criteria. First, it should be drunk straight. An ice cube is acceptable; they can often open up a whiskey in interesting ways. But mixing with anything is out of the question. If we were mixing, we would just drink Jack Daniels and be done with it.
The second thing is not to be too outlandish. The wild highlands of Scotland and their magnificent smokey scotches can be explored later. For now, the beginner whiskey should hint at what's to come but not be totally bonkers.
Finally, it needs to be affordable. Some whiskey has a habit of being disgustingly expensive. The ones on this list won't set you back more than the price of a beer.
Oban Single Malt
If you see the Oban label behind your chosen bar, give it a go. It doesn't matter how many years it's been in the cask, it's always a delight. This is a gateway into scotch whiskey that will be impossible to close. There is rarely a time I don't have a bottle of one of the many delicious Oban whiskeys to hand.
Old Overholt
Paying respects to the oldest continually maintained brand of whiskey in the US is only right. It's been distilled since 1810 and is not a bad place to start for an American rye. It's dependable, not too overpowering, and can be made into a fair few cocktails without being too pronounced. As far as American Bournbons go, this is a great whiskey for a beginner.
Hibiki Suntory Whisky Japanese Harmony
To complete the beginner's guide to first whiskey, a Japanese dram is on the cards. Trying all three on this list will give any beginner an understanding of just how complex whiskey can be without getting into the real depths of a barrel. This one, in particular, is well-balanced and subtle in a way I find bourbon and scotch often aren't.
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