It's World Whisky Day!

Practically no one likes whisky on their first taste. It burns, your gag reflexes twitch, and it makes your eyes burn, but just like with beer, wine, and coffee, you learn to like it, and maybe even love it. Follow this guide to enjoying whisky, then celebrate Whisky Day at one of America's best distilleries. You'll be a connoisseur in no time!

Here's the breakdown on how to become a whiskey lover:

1. 
   Go buy a bottle of Bulleit Rye
2. 
   Pour yourself a half shot, drink it
3. 
   Repeat the following night
4. 
   Continue this until the bottle is empty

Congratulations, you're now a whisky drinker! So now, how do you go about ordering a whiskey at a restaurant or bar? The bartender is going to throw some terms at you. Do you want that neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water? Maybe you want to try an Old Fashion? Do you want that up or down? So many questions. 

Follow these simple tips and you'll cruise through ordering a whisky: 

• 
  "Neat" means the bartender will literally take the bottle from the shelf and pour a shot or shot and a half of whatever whisky you've chosen. 
• 
  "On the rocks" is when whiskey is poured over ice. The colder the whisky the less aroma and flavor you get from the drink, so if you like something smoother and less in-your-face, then this is the way to drink your whisky. The best way if doing this is to let the ice melt a little, with a little help by swirling it around, to dilute the whisky and make it to less cold. 
• 
  "Up" is served in a martini glass. It is either swirled around or shaken with ice and then poured into the glass. If you like your whiskey chilled, but without ice, then ask for whatever whisky you'd like and "up". For exampled: I'll have the Knob Creek, "up", please. 
• 
  "Down" is similar to on the rocks. You can get whisky cocktails down such as an Old Fashion. 
• 
  "A splash of water" helps dilute the whisky. If a whisky has a high ABV over 6o proof, then this helps the burn of the alcohol diminish, allowing the flavor of the whiskey to be more in your face rather than tears streaming down your face.

To honor World Whisky Day, go visit one of these awesome distilleries to learn more about whisky: