Nose, water, order
Tasting smoky whisky
Smoky whisky often overwhelms on the first sip if you drink it like any other whisky. A little water, the right order, and a deliberate first contact through the nose make getting started noticeably easier.
Why the nose decides first
Smoke aromas often feel more intense through the nose than on the palate. A short, careful first sniff at the glass, with your mouth slightly open, accustoms the nose to the sharpness before the first sip follows. Anyone who inhales deeply right away often finds the alcohol and smoke overwhelming.
A second, longer sniff after a brief pause usually already reveals noticeably more nuance than the first, because the nose has adjusted to the intensity.