How to Become a Whisky Hipster in 7 Steps

Whisky has long since ceased to be the domain of smoky men's clubs and dusty display cases. Nowadays, you'll find the spirit in tattoo bars, coffee shops, and hip parties. Want to fit in? Here are the 7 steps to becoming a whisky hipster.

If you want to be taken seriously, you need to know the basics. Learn the difference between single malt, blended malt, and grain whisky. Understand that bourbon isn't a Scotch whisky and know how whisky is made. How do you learn? Simply by reading about it every day. Then you'll soon discover what terms like 'non-chill filtered' mean. You can also take a course from and turn yourself into a walking whisky encyclopedia in no time.

As a whisky hipster, you don't want to stick to mainstream bottles. It's fine if you started with Johnnie Walker Red Label or Glenlivet 12, but now it's time for the next step in your life.

Try tasting whiskies from independent bottlings, local distilleries, or experiment with a whisky from abroad. The market in Asia is growing, for example. And once in a while, take such a bottle home or to a dinner somewhere else. A great moment to analyze a bottle or label when people are wondering what you've brought.

Avoid the massive whisky festivals where everyone's wearing the same wristband and elbowing their way to a stand. Search for small, localized tastings in back rooms of pubs or other distinctive venues.

That's where it happens. There, you'll hear stories from the maker itself or taste bottles that can't be found anywhere else. Sign up for newsletters from bottlers, liquor stores, and niche webshops – those usually offer the best invitations. And, of course, keep an eye on us, Whisky Monkeys, for the latest news.

A whisky hipster doesn't have racks full, but a small selection with character. Consider a whisky from a forgotten distillery or a Swedish whisky unknown to most. Score whisky bottles while you're traveling! Each little bottle should tell a story. And no, you don't need to keep them sealed for later. Whisky is there to be savored!

Feel free to share a photo of your latest discovery on Instagram, but don't come across as boastful. Discuss why you liked or disliked something and let others join in. After all, there's nothing better than sharing whisky and chatting about it together. The best whisky discussions rarely revolve around alcohol percentages, but taste, memories and atmosphere.

Whisky changes. New distilleries are opening, old methods are being rediscovered, and boundaries are blurring. Don't assume you know everything, because that's simply the beginning of the end.

And as the saying goes: Variety is the spice of life. We say: of drinking. Try a rum-finish from an exotic country, give foreign whisky a chance and stand ready to embrace the unknown. Keep asking yourself questions. The best whisky hipster is no snob, but an explorer. You want to be someone who asks questions, not one who proclaims opinions.

Last but not least: don't be a buzzkill. What do we mean by this? Stay humble. Sure, you might know more than others, but don't make them feel as though you are superior. Don't act as though you know every whisky from A to Z and judge not when people enjoy something that makes your nose wrinkle. Does someone prefer drinking from a tumbler or a whisky cocktail? It's fine. And certainly don't start a very technical conversation at a birthday party. So, keep that monologue about esters to yourself.

Now the real question: are you a whisky hipster or not?