RianC started a discussion
5 years ago
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To Wet or not to Whet?
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paddockjudge replied
@RianC, as far as a tactical approach applies, I employ what I call the 3 G's.. To wet my whistle, I usually prime the system with a drink of water followed by three micro- sips, ** one for the gums, one for the gullet, and one for the gut.**. This procedure tends to the wakening of my whisky plumbing system without shocking it. I'm usually fine thereafter. For long pauses between administrations, rinse and repeat.
With regard to your mention of: -------------------------------------------------------I was tempted to say more expensive whiskys but that would have been folly . . ------------------------------------------------------ .' .... one thing I've noticed over the years, price doesn't change the taste.
5 years ago 1Who liked this?
Do you like to wet your whistle? Do you like to whet your whistle? OK, apologies for the grammar orientated start (not my forte it must be said) but before continuing I thought it prudent to check the correct spelling/use of whet or wet here.
Whet = prepare for or sharpen
Wet (in drinking terms) = to make moist i.e. wet one's lips
So, while the term 'wet one's whistle' in Ye Olde English means to (literally) wet one's lips and may be the right way to write the term, I would argue that when I prepare to warm up my taste-buds (or figuratively sharpen them) by having a blend or lesser malt to start a flight or serious tasting, I am indeed whetting my lips, as it were, not wetting them. Does that make sense? If anyone hung on this far, your patience is appreciated :)
The reason for all this folly is that over the years I've often noticed, like many on here I'm sure, that our nosing and tasting senses can have good and bad days. Sometimes all I can taste is alcohol so simply put the bottle back whereas other days I'm getting so many nuances (of the same whisky) I decide it's time to get a review down or, well, enjoy a few more!
I wondered who else does this and if so, do you feel it has practical uses and/or does it enhance your enjoyment of more complex, shall we say, whiskys? (I was tempted to say more expensive whiskys but that would have been folly . . . ;) Some days I get the sense that I'm 'on point', and just grab the bottle I fancy, pour one and go enjoy. Usually though I want to test the waters a bit so will have a whistle-whetter that will a) let me know if it's worth continuing (and without wasting any 'good stuff' and b) subsequently allow me to more thoroughly enjoy the subtleties, nuances etc etc in the whisk(e)ys that follow.
So, in short, do you wet or whet?