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How to order scotch at a bar like a seasoned pro

ballantines 7 bourbon finish bar aspect ratio 16 9

First things first – at Ballantine’s, we’re firm believers that there’s no wrong way to order, drink or enjoy scotch. Whisky is for everyone – the neat drinkers, the cocktail shakers, the mixer uppers. Leave any preconceived notions at the door because when it comes to whisky, there are no rules.

Ok. Glad we got that off our chest.

Rather than give you strict instructions on how to enjoy your whisky, we’re simply sharing some tips on how to order a drink that gets you what you want.

Here’s how to order scotch your way…

Check out the whisky collection

 

There’s loads of types of whiskies. You’ve got single malt, blended malt, single grain and smoky blends, plus a bunch of different bottles from almost every country on the planet. But don’t panic – not many people are well versed in knowing the difference between them, or which is their preference.

When it comes to scotch, things are a little simpler. For scotch to be considered, well, scotch, it’s going to have been made in Scotland and aged for at least three years. So that narrows it down a bit.

Most bars and restaurants will have a handful of scotch whiskies on the menu or on display. Don’t be afraid to have a good gander and ask the bartender for a recommendation – they’re the experts after all. 

Share which spirits you usually go for or the typical flavours you enjoy in your drink. Like a fresher, sweet mix? Give a blended scotch a whirl. Not to boast but ours is one of the world’s best – so you’ll be in safe hands with Ballantine’s Finest. After something a little more complex? Whiskies that have been aged for longer have a deeper, more full-bodied taste. Ballantine’s 17 Year Old adds a sense of smokiness and spicy liquorice, whereas our 21 Year Old whisky is rich, aromatic and beautifully smooth.

Decide on your serve

You’ve chosen a scotch – now how to drink it? Just like picking a type of whisky, there’s a fair few different serves too.

Cocktail or straight up?

Many whisky connoisseurs think good scotch should only be sipped solo. We disagree. In fact we love a whisky cocktail so much so that we created our own collection of recipes (a great place to start if you’re after some inspo).

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go neat – it’s a fine way to sample different blends – but if you’re after something different, a cocktail is a great introduction into the world of whisky. Here are some of our favourites:

ballantines B7 old fashioned

Old Fashioned

Our favourite way to enjoy an Old Fashioned is with Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Barrel Finish, with a couple of dashes of orange bitters to complement the sweet notes of the whisky.

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ballantines finest whisky sour

Whisky Sour

This cocktail is 150 years old, yet you’ll still find it in the trendiest bars. Give it a go with your favourite Ballantine’s!

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ballantines 12 rob roy drink

Rob Roy

For those in the know, a Rob Roy is simply a Manhattan made with scotch. But also, it’s the shot of Ballantine’s 12 that makes it a true Scottish legend.

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You can also go down the mixer route. Try a Scotch and Soda for a crisp serve or kick off the night with a classic whisky cola. We also love ours with ginger ale, tonic and even orange fanta for an 18+ remix of this fizzy holiday throwback.

How to order a scotch 

 

  1. Neat: a scotch served neat comes at room temperature with no ice, perfect for when you fancy getting really into the details of your chosen blend. Our top tip? Give it a good sniff and swish beforehand to discover every note.
  2. On the rocks: go chilled with a serving of ice which can help to accentuate the whisky’s layered flavour profile. One larger cube looks and tastes better; melting slowly to avoid diluting the scotch.
  3. With water: whisky is known for its ‘burn’ and not everyone’s a fan. Ordering with a splash of water will slightly dilute the alcohol content resulting in a less fiery drink.
  4. With a twist: a scotch with a twist highlights any citrus notes with a small strip of lemon or orange peel.
  5. With a chaser: order a chaser for a shot of something on the side to alleviate the burn of your whisky drink. Popular chasers include juice, cola and water. Or go for a ‘Boilermaker’ to pair your whisky with a shot of beer. 
ballantines 30 year old on the rocks drink

Whisky on the Rocks

As the pinnacle in the Ballantine’s range, the 30 year old has been garnished with a simple cube of ice, in order to accentuate its natural depth and layers.

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Place your order

 

Now you’ve decided on what to have, it’s time to get your order in. Pair up the lingo to tell your bartender the whisky, serve and side you fancy. For example…

 

“I’ll have a Ballantine’s Finest and cola, with ice” 

“A Ballantine’s 12 Year Old neat with a water chaser”

“Pour me an Ballantine’s Old Fashioned with a twist” 

 

You sound like a pro already. 

 

The hard work is done. Now you can sit back and sip your drink proudly. And if anything’s not quite to your liking, there’s plenty more options to try next time. That’s the great thing about whisky, from the blend to the serve, there’s an order to suit every taste.

Now you’re ordering whisky like a pro, maybe you’d like to expand your whisky drink knowledge further.  Whether it’s what mixers to add to your whisky or want to know more of the classics, we have you covered.

ballantines glasses neat on the rocks whisky guide

13 fascinating fun facts about whisky

Whisky is rightly seen as one of the world’s most iconic drinks – look at how many times it turns up in films and on tv. But there are many smart facts about it you probably don’t know. Wow your mates with this insider info.

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8 variations on a classic whisky sour cocktail

Try these fun variations on the classic whisky sour cocktail. Including 8 new recipes to mix up at home.

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ballantines finest scotch whisky blog news page

Blog

You already know we’ve nailed the Finest Whisky to ever grace a glass. But that’s just a little drop of what we’re about. Scroll on for the latest news and features from across the world of Ballantine’s whisky, True Music and much, much more.

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