While COVID-19 has many of us staying home indefinitely, bars will reopen again one day and now is a good time to brush up on your whiskey knowledge. If you are looking forward to visiting your local whiskey bar once quarantine is over, you can use this primer guide to better understand the different types of whiskey, how people like to drink it and how bars and restaurants promote whiskey.
Ordering at a Whiskey Bar
If you want to drink whiskey straight, there are basically two ways to order it: neat or on the rocks. Neat simply means that there is no ice, water or other mixers added. You will be served a glass of whiskey to sip on. Whiskey aficionados will argue that this is the best way to taste and enjoy whiskey.
Ordering whiskey on the rocks means that your drink will be served with a large cube of ice. This chills the drink, but it also waters down the whiskey as the ice melts. For those who aren’t too concerned about tasting the whiskey and just want to enjoy a drink, there are no limits to how you can order and mix whiskey.
Top 10 Whiskeys
- The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak 2018 Released
- Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Highland Park 18 Year Old
- Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Glenfarclas 15 Year Old
- Lagavulin 16 Year Old
- Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley
- White Walker by Johnnie Walker
- Nikka From The Barrel
- Bowmore 12 Year Old
As you are looking at all the shelves lined with whiskey bottles, it can be hard to know where to begin. Stick to these top 10 whiskeys and you can’t go wrong:
Once you discover more about which whiskeys you like, you can begin to branch out more and try some of the lesser known brands.
Different Types of Whiskey
Essentially, there are five different types of whiskey. While they are all made using different techniques and ingredients, the biggest distinguishing characteristic is the location where it is made. Here are the five different types of whiskey along with specifics about what sets them apart.
- Scotch. All Scotch is made in Scotland using malted barley and grain such as corn and wheat. It goes through two rounds of distillation, is aged for at least three years and is made with a pot still.
- Bourbon is made in the US, specifically Kentucky. It must be made with at least 51% corn and is aged in brand-new oak barrels for at least two years.
- Canadian. In Canada, there aren’t as many hard and fast rules about making whiskey. Each distillery will follow their own recipe and strategies, so there isn’t a specific Canadian whiskey.
- Irish. Irish whiskey is made in Ireland and is similar to Scotch. Typically, it is made using 100% barley and put through three rounds of distillation before being aged for at least three years.
- Japanese. Japanese whiskey is modeled closely after Scotch, so you can expect a similar taste. However, Japanese distilleries use a variety of pot sizes to create unique flavors.
Best Ways to Promote Whiskey
For bars and restaurants that are looking to promote whiskey and increase sales, there are some proven methods that will help. First and foremost, remember that every business had to start from scratch. If you want to increase brand awareness, start supporting local events, sponsoring teams and partnering with other businesses. At the very least, this will help potential customers to start seeing and recognizing your name.
Next, take advantage of social media. Not only do you want to stay active and engage your audience, you can also use these platforms to convert sales. Hold contests and giveaways that will have people sharing posts and interacting with your brand.
It is also important to produce valuable content so that your audience can get to know your brand and will turn to you for information. Ensure that you publish your brand story on your website and consistently put out blogs and articles that will increase your online presence. You can amplify these efforts by promoting your site through Google AdWords. This is a budget friendly way to serve ads customers and cultivate leads.
Finally, enter your whiskey in competitions. Not only will this increase brand awareness, it will also provide you with some valuable feedback about your product. And if you do end up winning an award, you have another great marketing tool in your back pocket.
If you have yet to explore whiskey and all the different types, you don’t have to be intimidated by the options. Try it neat, on the rocks or with mixers. For brands looking to increase awareness, there are plenty of ways to attract new customers and build your business.
For more information about whiskey distillers, visit our blog below.
FAQs
What should I order at a whiskey bar?
The best way to experience the taste of whiskey is to order it neat without any ice or mixers. You can also order it on the rocks, which means it will come with ice. Finally, order it any way you like. There is no wrong way to drink whiskey.
What are the top 10 whiskeys?
- The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak 2018 Released
- Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Highland Park 18 Year Old
- Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Glenfarclas 15 Year Old
- Lagavulin 16 Year Old
- Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley
- White Walker by Johnnie Walker
- Nikka From The Barrel
- Bowmore 12 Year Old
What are the types of whiskey?
Scotch, Bourbon, Irish, Canadian and Japanese.
How do you promote whiskey?
Sponsor local events and partner with other businesses. Find ways to engage on social media and convert visitors into sales. Use content to teach people about your brand and why they should love you. Use Google AdWords to serve ads to potential customers without having to invest in a large marketing budget. Build an email list for marketing and outreach purposes. Enter your products in spirit competitions.
