Is there a correct method to enjoy Japanese whiskey? Is it similar to eating pizza in a proper manner? Your answer might be somewhere along the lines of sort-of, but not exactly. If you’re eating pizza with cutlery, you’re undoubtedly doing it wrong, but beyond that, it’s your call. If you’re adding Japanese whiskey to a margarita, your understanding of flavor pairing may be flawed, yet nothing about Japanese whiskey requires a different serving style than other whiskies.

In Japan, whiskey is generally consumed in two ways — neat or in a highball. Neat whiskey implies serving it straight up in a glass, perhaps with an ice cube. Japanese whiskey highballs come in tall glasses with a generous block of ice and a splash of club soda, essentially a trendy glass serving a blended drink. Both of these methods are indicative of the traditional Japanese approach to whiskey consumption. While serving whiskey neat is a global practice, highball is somewhat specific to Japan. In the United States, on the other hand, whiskey mixed drinks are typically served with Coke in a rocks glass rather than club soda.

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When done right, drinking should be enjoyable, but everyone has different versions of fun. A boisterous 14-hour boat party might be thrilling for some, while others prefer a serene whiskey bar where the tasting notes of one’s drink are quietly discussed. The old saying “Different strokes for different folks,” holds true here.

But if someone is telling you that what you’re doing is wrong and what they’re doing is right, you’re better off just letting whatever wise words they have to say just slide right off you. Nobody knows what you like better than you, so you should be the one who decides how to enjoy your glass.

Japanese whiskey comes in a wide variety of styles and flavors. A few are comparable to some of the best Scotch whiskies on the market, others are better diluted with soda. Each brand and each bottle is going to offer something unique to your palette. In this way, Japanese whiskey is just like any other type of whiskey. Have fun with it, experiment with new styles, and don’t let stuffy etiquette get you down.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.