Whisky Burn Is Real, But Relax, We Now Know How To Handle It
Everyone has that one friend who vehemently insists and is pretty damn adamant about how their favourite whisky can only be enjoyed neat. For this person, including mixers (or even water or ice) to one’s drink is perceived as a form of adulteration. But now, you can tell that friend off. Firstly, according to scientists, adding some water (the portion would depend on your taste) to your tipple not only allows the spirit to become more flavourful as it helps in releasing compounds, but also ensures that you don’t suffer any whisky burn.
What is whisky burn, you ask?
When you drink whisky straight up, it triggers the VR1 receptor present in the mouth and throat which transfers a message to the brain that what is being consumed packs heat and thus, one may feel a burning sensation. These receptors are activated by the ethanol (present in all spirits). This reaction is similar to the way they are triggered by capsaicin which is contained in spicy food. VR1 receptors are generally activated at 42 degrees but ethanol lowers that threshold to 34 degrees. So when you down a shot of whisky neat, it’s possible that your body may experience a burning sensation.
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But there’s good news. We not only know the precise cause of this burn, but also know how to handle it by making a few small tweaks. Run through this list to cherish burn-free whisky evenings:
Ice The Burn
The simplest solution is always the best one. Always try to have whisky with at least a splash of water and possibly some ice instead of having it neat. This will neutralise the burn that you may inevitably experience when having whisky without any water, apart from keeping you from getting dehydrated and ensuring that your throat doesn’t feel parched either.
Sips Over Swigs
Even this one may sound like a no-brainer but most don’t know that taking smaller sips instead of chugging it all down can directly impact the extent of burn one may experience. So savour your drink with small sips and cradle a drink for some time and you’ll manage to neutralise your body’s defense mechanism without experiencing any discomfort.
Manage Your Breathing
Now this may sound a bit bizarre but it actually works if you do it right. Before taking a sip of whisky, exhale slightly but don’t let all the air out of your lungs. And after taking the sip, release the rest of the air out. This will actually flush out all the alcohol fumes from your mouth and nostrils. This is an effective way to reduce the burn experienced by whisky with minimum effort. The reason for this is that when you breathe in while taking a sip, you’re also inhaling the alcohol vapours which stimulate the mucus membranes in the nose, thus triggering a chain reaction that leads to the burn.
Binge On Snacks
Now we’re sure you’ve heard this before but didn’t know that it’s actually effective. Snacking during and prior to consuming whisky or any form of alcohol can reduce the burn experienced. This is because the fat and oil in these snacks tend to layer your mouth and throat and create a protective layer, ensuring the receptors aren’t easily triggered while consuming whisky. As if you needed a reason to reach for another chicken nugget?
A Glass Apart
You may find it silly but the glass that you use while having whisky plays a big role in how much and how quickly you wash it down. A wide-rimmed whisky glass is ideal to ensure you can savour your drink over a period of time, allowing the ice to melt and the flavours to intensify. If this were a thinner glass or shorter, you may be tempted to take a swig and may not even add any water or mixers.
