I hate this question.
Not because it is a stupid question, but because it is a complicated one.
For starters, the world of whisk(e)y is just too broad for me to pick a “favorite”. I get it – most folks who ask this aren’t as into whisk(e)y as I am, and they’re genuinely curious about which is my favorite. They may be hoping to learn something, or to find a new whisk(e)y to try, or simply be engaging in conversation. If there’s enough time for an in-depth chat, I’ll try to narrow it down. Are they asking about my favorite bourbon? Or my favorite single malt Scotch? Or are they really looking for my favorite category of whisk(e)y? None of these are easy answers either, but at least segues to a conversation (or a way out if that isn’t what someone is looking for).
I liken it to asking someone what is their favorite food, although this seems easier for me to answer (pizza – duh). But if someone was asking this as they were thinking about what to make me for breakfast . . . I’d probably go with something other than pizza (not that day old, cold pizza for breakfast doesn’t bring some fond memories).
Whisk(e)y is sorta like that. For example, if I haven’t had a pour in a while, and am spending a quiet evening at home – I’d probably reach for something nuanced to ponder and contemplate. That could be an older single malt Scotch . . . or a premium blend . . . or a single barrel bourbon . . . or damn near anything not on the bottom shelf.
On the other hand, if I’m grilling in the backyard, I’m probably not looking for that same kind of ‘nuance, ponder’ dram. Or a really high proof dram either – unless I’ve got it over a few cubes (which is more likely in that scenario).
Which raises another frequently asked question: How do you drink your whisk(e)y?
That’s easier to answer for me, as I most often prefer to drink my whiskey neat, adding bits of water as I go. Some folks hear that and misunderstand. I’m not saying that I don’t like my whisk(e)y any other way. I do. I enjoy cocktails (more lately than I did a couple of years back), and while less frequent – a few fingers of high proof bourbon over a big cube, which is like drinking a half-dozen different whiskies over the course of 90 minutes as the temperature change and dilution results in twists and turns from the original pour . And based on the situation, I might prefer those over something neat.
Are there whiskies I like over others? Absolutely. If given some small, finite selection, I could probably pick one out of a group that I most often would prefer over the others. But I couldn’t even pick a favorite by category. And if I did, it would change from one day to the next.
Are there categories of whisk(e)y I like over others? Again, absolutely. With family roots deep in Kentucky, I cut my whisk(e)y teeth on bourbon. But I wouldn’t say that is my favorite – as with the recent craze over bourbon I’ve tended to spend more time exploring Scotch, Irish, and other categories.
When there flat out isn’t enough time for an in-depth conversation? If I’ve got a pour in my hand, that’s my answer (“Whatever’s in this glass!”) If I don’t, and feel like the person asking is considering buying a bottle – I’ll throw out “Buffalo Trace” or “Wild Turkey 101” because they’re readily available, solid bourbons. If I don’t have a pour and feel like the person asking is looking to go stock up and flip bottles or something nefarious (or I’m just in the mood to be a bit of a prick), I’ll give them some unobtainium answer like “Dude, I ONLY drink Compass Box The General . . . but when pressed, manage to settle for William Larue Weller”.
Cheers!
Gary