Jameson Distiller's Batch

Jameson Distiller's Batch is an Irish whiskey, and that category gives a good idea of what to expect in the glass. Irish whiskeys are usually lighter and softer than bourbon or Scotch. Expect a gentle grain-forward base with vanilla, a touch of honeyed sweetness and some orchard-fruit character. Oak spice tends to stay in the background, and smoke is rarely a feature. Jameson's own style generally leans smooth and approachable, so this bottling is worth tasting first before you decide how to use it. For a first pour, try it neat in a Glencairn. The tapered bowl concentrates the aroma, so you can pick out the grain, vanilla and any fruit before you taste. A small splash of room-temperature water, a few drops at a time, tends to loosen light, grain-driven whiskeys like this and bring out their sweeter notes. If you prefer a slower, cooler sip, pour it over one large cube in a rocks glass. A single big cube melts slowly and chills the whiskey without diluting it too fast. Irish whiskey's softness also suits mixing. In a Highball, pour two ounces over plenty of ice and top with three to four ounces of cold soda water or ginger ale, then add a lemon or lime wedge. This is probably the most natural use for a whiskey in this style. It also works in a Whiskey Sour: two ounces of whiskey, three-quarters of an ounce each of fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, shaken hard with ice. Because the whiskey is gentle, the lemon stays in front, so a little less syrup often balances better. For an Old Fashioned, stir it with a sugar cube or a teaspoon of rich syrup and two dashes of Angostura. Go light on the sugar, since lighter whiskeys can be overwhelmed by too much sweetener. A Manhattan works too, using sweet vermouth and bitters, and it will taste softer and less spicy than one made with rye. Serve it in a Glencairn when you want to nose it and in a rocks glass for ice or an Old Fashioned. Use a tall Collins or highball glass for the soda serve.