When it comes to whisky there are as many different whisky styles as there are drinkers – there is a whisky to suit every palate and budget.

It might seem like an intimidating drink with plenty of history and rigmarole, but fundamentally, it's about enjoying your drink to its fullest.

Whisky has shed its' fusty image of dust-covered bottles and intimidating descriptions, along with that goes the 'correct' way to drink it.

The drink

When it comes to the actual drinking, there is an array of options to choose from. You could drink it neat, with ice, or with water.

Many whisky connoisseurs prefer to drink their whisky without any additions at all. This is so that they can experience the flavours of the spirit to its fullest. However, if you are new to drinking whisky – this may be a bit too overpowering.

Adding a little water to your whisky is a great way to ease into the strong taste.Adding a few drops of water to a whisky will bring out different flavours, especially with higher ABV spirits.

Adding a block of ice or two to your whisky will detract from the aromas, but will offer you a cooler sipping experience. The addition of ice will also slowly dilute your drink– which may be the perfect solution for someone who is trying to migrate to drinking whisky neat.

Alternatively, you could opt for whisky rocks - small ice block shaped rocks that are kept in a freezer. They will add chill to your drink but will not melt and dilute the flavour of your whisky.

The do not do

Downing it like a shot. Whiskey is a drink that is meant to be savored. When “shooting” whisky, not only are you downing a spirit with at least 43 percent or higher alcohol content, you’ll miss the flavour nuances you get when it’s sipped. Trust us on this one, you want to take your time.

The taste

There are many things that can influence the taste of your whisky drinking experience – the glass you choose to drink from, for instance, is a subtle game changer.

The tumbler is a favourite due to its practicality. However, if you really want to fully experience the various notes of your whisky, you may want to opt for something with a tulip shape or tapered neck, and a bulb shaped body. This will help you pick up on the aromas of the spirit, which will ultimately influence the tastes that you pick up on when you take a sip.

The practice that makes perfect

Like anything, the more you hone your whisky-tasting skills the better you’ll get. Take note of what you like (and what you don’t) and then try to dig deeper and explore what it is, exactly, that you are tasting.

Is that a hint of oranges? Chocolate? Cinnamon? Can you detect oak? Smokiness? Peat? Make notes and taste as many whiskies as you can to develop your skills.