Column: Whisky as the Anchor of the Moment

What’s so enticing about drinking whisky? There are those questions that seem simple, yet are challenging to answer genuinely. What truly makes drinking whisky such a beautiful experience? Is it merely about the taste, or is there more to it?

Whisky is all about time. Not only the years spent maturing in a cask, but most importantly, the moment you enjoy it. The best dram isn’t necessarily by a fireside or in a leather armchair. Sometimes, it is simply a bottle you uncork with a friend you haven’t seen for a while.

Then, everything clicks: the aroma, the sip, the silence that follows, or perhaps a meaningful conversation. For enjoying a good glass of whisky, no grandiose speech or embellishment is necessary, just appreciating what's in your glass and who’s with you.

Therefore, whisky is seldom just a beverage. It often facilitates something else, a conversation, a memory, a moment of tranquillity. Sometimes you taste a whisky and recall the place where you purchased that dram or bottle. Or perhaps, you reminisce about whom you shared it with. The whisky then serves as a coat rack, upon which the moment hangs.

Every whisky starts with a label and an expectation. You read about peat or sherry, about a distillery you know or perhaps have never heard of. You think you know what you're about to taste. And then? Then, it turns out to be just a little different. Sometimes, the experience is far superior; sometimes, it's not. One thing is certain: whisky is always honest.

Indeed, whisky doesn't lie. If it disappoints, it’s usually not the whisky’s fault. Instead, it might come down to your mood or the fact that you’ve sampled three other drams already. And when a whisky takes you by surprise, you remember why you fell in love with it in the first place. You experience silence. You understand why it’s more than just a swig of alcohol.

So, what makes drinking whisky so special? Perhaps it’s simply because whisky compels you to pay attention, to take your time, to savour it without judgment or rush. It’s not about status, rarity, or the age of the bottle.

It's about what happens between unscrewing the cork and pouring a glass. Sometimes, that’s magic. Sometimes, it’s simply the right moment. One thing is certain: it's nearly always beautiful.

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