Now they may sound similar but they are as different as chalk and cheese. When a bottle reads “Whisky”, it means its Scottish Whisky or Scotch as we call it. If you aren’t really sure of what does “Scotch” means, then this is for you. The wide range of liquor available make it at times hard to figure out if the Scotch you are buying is genuine or not. For example, a Scotch whisky label should read “Scotch whisky”. If the word “Scotch” is missing, then the whisky is probably made somewhere else and not in Scotland. So, it’s not really a Scotch, is it? Hence, keep these important guidelines in mind when you choose your Scotch:

• As a matter of fact, genuine Scotch whisky is manufactured from Scotland. Everything else is something else. • “Scotch Whisky” and “Scottish Whisky” are one and the same. Both are genuine. However, Scotch Whiskey is not Scotch. The major difference between Whiskey and Whisky is that whisky is from Scotland whereas whiskey is from Ireland. • Scotch whisky is broadly categorized into two types- single and blended. It is hard to say which one is better because, both have their own specialties. When some people like the flavor and aroma of single malt Scotch whisky, the others like the fine quality of blended whiskies.

You might have heard a zillion times about whisky tasting as one of the most sought after indulgence of the who’s who. Here’s how they do it:

The Glass: You need a tulip-shaped glass as it can trap the aromas in the bulging bottom and release them through the small area at the top.  The Color: Color tell how older the scotch is. There is a very simple rule for color: the darker the scotch appears, the older it is.   The Weight: Try churning the whiskey around the glass, so that the inner part of the glass is fully coated with a layer of scotch. Now, wait and see the teardrops that form and run down the glass. If they run quickly, that means the Scotch is probably old, whereas if the drops are somewhat thin and go down slowly, it signifies that the Scotch is not so old.   The Aroma: Add a little water to your whisky. Water reduces the overall content of alcohol and raises the temperature of the drink a little. As a result, more of aromas of the Scotch are released.

Take a Sip: Try to analyze flavor of the drink while sipping Scotch. Hold the drink and feel it in your mouth. Now, evaluate the taste- whether it is silky smooth, or syrupy or does it feel tingly on the tongue.   Finishing Touch: After sipping and identifying yourself with all the flavors, you should check it for the finish it has- is the flavor still there, or has it disappeared fast? The longer the taste and aromas remain, better the scotch is.