Whiskey 101: Everything Beginners Should Know About Drinking Whiskey — Plus 11 Recipes To Try!

Need-To-Knows About Whiskey

Whiskey is a general term for a handful of varieties of distilled spirits that are made from fermented grains. To begin the distillation process for whiskey, the grain (whatever it may be – wheat, rye, barley, or corn, or a few mixed together) must be mashed. Literally – the grain(s) get broken down into a nice slop-like consistency with the help of hot water and agitation. This removes excess sugars so distillers can get to the bottom of their product’s characteristics and flavors.

Technicalities aside, what you really need to know is the sheer strength of whiskey. According to McCall, the drink’s strength varies with the type of whiskey.

“The whiskey alcohol percentage varies depending on the type of whiskey and where it is made,” she says. “Whiskey in America has to be bottled at a minimum of 40%, but some can go upwards of 50% ABV (80 to 100 proof).”

This fact can widen the gap between you and a really great whiskey experience. But don’t worry – no one’s pressuring you to drink it like a total pro right off the bat. McCall offers some solutions for beginners looking to ease into the spirit.

Tips For Drinking Whiskey

McCall recommends starting your whiskey journey with none other than Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“[This whiskey] is our flagship expression and the gold standard of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, so it’s always a great place to start,” she details. “This expression led to the creation of our Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, which creates heavier notes of honey, cream, and vanilla that are magnified alongside sweet aromatic notes with a custom barreling process, naturally lending itself to be a nice introductory bourbon as well.”

In order to discover the whiskey that you really vibe with, try tasting a small amount on its own to detect the flavor notes. Once you’re familiar, you might find the whiskey cocktail recipe you make becoming even tastier. Tasting it neat is an important way to find appreciation for all the nuances.

“If a whiskey doesn’t taste good on its own, it’s not worth mixing in a cocktail in hopes to make it taste better,” McCall offers.

When you are prepped to try whiskey in a cocktail, McCall’s top-rated drinks are actually quite simple ones. Aside from the classic Old Fashioned, she’ll craft her own mixed drinks using Woodford Reserve.

“Sometimes I prefer a very simple mixed drink like Woodford Reserve, cranberry juice and fresh lemonade. There are a lot of great citrus notes in Woodford Reserve Bourbon and when mixed with a great quality lemonade and cranberry juice, it is a very refreshing drink,” she says. “This is my go-to when I have gatherings at my house, it’s always a crowd pleaser.”

Whatever your method of drinking whiskey, don’t be afraid to just do you. Everyone is different and has different flavor preferences, so there’s no need to feel left in the dust if someone’s sipping on something else.

“What may be good whiskey to me might not be good whiskey to you,” McCall says. “For me personally, a good whiskey has a complexity of flavor.”

The Best Whiskey Recipes For Beginners

Honey Bee

You'll soon fall in love with the smooth and refreshing taste of this recipe that features Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's new whisky brand SirDavisthat launched TODAY on the singer/entrepreneur's birthday! Always intentional with her ideas, she created the brand to honor her great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, who was a farmer and moonshiner.

It's comprised of 51% rye and 49% malted barley that have been matured in sherry casks for a beautiful taste that's on par with Japanese and Scotch whiskies without skimping on the familiar American Rye taste.

Here's what you'll need for the delicious Honey Bee recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 oz SirDavis American Whisky
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• .5 oz Honey Syrup*
• Garnish: Honeycomb

Note: To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.

Instructions

• Add liquid ingredients to a shaker tin with ice going in last. Shake for dilution and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with honeycomb.

Whiskey Cocktail with Ginger and Lemon

This drink recipe is simple. All you need is your new favorite whiskey or bourbon, ginger ale, and lemon juice. Mix it all in a glass, and you're good to go. (via Brit + Co.)

Clementine Whiskey Smash

Clementines bring forth a citrusy brightness, while cinnamon works to highlight the smoky notes from the whiskey. (via Brit + Co.)

Old Fashioned

This Old Fashioned recipe gets a nice boost from simple syrup, if you prefer a sweeter sip. (via Breckenridge Distillery for Brit + Co.)

Butterscotch Milk Punch

This super-sweet drink is perfect for holiday soirees! (via Brit + Co.)

Spicy Bourbon Pumpkin Smash

With the holidays coming up, this cocktail will warm you up and impress guests. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Vegan Whiskey Sour

This vegan-friendly whiskey recipe omits egg whites and instead uses aquafaba (leftover chickpea water) to create the iconic foamy texture. (via The Edgy Veg)

Mint Julep

Mint Juleps are prime pickings for beginner whiskey drinkers and lazy home bartenders alike. All you need is bourbon, mint sprigs, and simple syrup or sugar cubes. Voila! (via Mixop)

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Cocktail

Fruity flavors swarm each swig of this holiday-approved cocktail. (via Crowded Kitchen)

Apple Cider Cocktail

Whiskey combines with the zesty, fresh elements from apple cider in this seasonal-leaning cocktail. (via Mixop)

Bourbon Slush

Banish summertime sadness with this ice-cold slush that gets its punch from bourbon. (via Live Eat Learn)