[#whiskyphTip] The Japanese High Ball.

There are so many ways to enjoy a good dram of whisky. While some purists and snobs claim that you should only ever drink whisky neat, I feel that limiting yourself to only one way of drinking it can actually keep you from tasting whisky's full potential.

If you're not looking for something strong at the end of your work day, or maybe if you want something refreshing on a hot summer day, or perhaps if you want something crisp and with a light kick to pair with dinner, the #highball is a great choice.

While the highball traces its roots to the US, anyone who has ever been to a Japanese bar can tell you that this drink was perfected in Japan. Most especially through the efforts of #Suntory and its perfect highball whisky, the #Kakubin (in photo).

Making a highball requires only 3 ingredients: #whisky, water and ice. But if you want to really feel the 100 years of tradition that goes into making one, here is a great Japanese Highball recipe I've found online:

1. Chill the glass by placing one large ice cube in the glass and stirring until frost appears. The use of large ice cubes is preferred as these melt slower, keeping your drink colder for longer, without too much dilution.
2. Pour out the excess water, keeping the ice.
3. Next, add 50ml of your preferred whisky to the cold glass, and stir 13 and 1/2 times, clockwise. This chills the whisky and opens it up with a few drops of cold water.
4. Top the glass off with another large ice cube, and carefully add 100ml of soda water.
5. Stir 3 and 1/2 times times clockwise to make the perfect blend of whisky and soda water.

The result is a really cool, crisp and refreshing potion.

All the flavor of the highball comes from the whisky. That's why people often recommend trying highballs with light, delicate or floral whiskies. The blend has a way of "extending" or "stretching out" the whisky's tasting notes. If you're feeling adventurous why not try it on a #peated #scotch to parse out the fruit, smoke and vegetation through the soda water? It's so versatile that the possibilities are endless. #Kanpai!🥃

Image Courtesy of @WhiskyPH

@WhiskyPH

At its core, whisky appreciation is an exercise in memory. Notes of a whisky enthusiast in the Philippines. 🥃🇵🇭