LIKE brewing, the drinking of whisky is an art in itself.

For a blend that has been barrelled for 12 years, one can really take the time to appreciate it.

Take Grant's 12-year-old for example. Every whisky that is blended in is never less than 12 years old. It is distilled in a virgin American Oak barrel and literally charred so as to bring out a well-balanced taste.

For the whisky appreciators, here's how you know you are holding a mastered blended brand. Take it without ice. It will linger in your tongue for longer: as you take a sip, you can taste the sweetness in the tip of the tongue, when you chow it you feel the citrus taste in your gums . don't swallow yet, because you will feel the burn down your throat.

Let it linger for a while to feel the sweet-bitter taste at the back of the tongue.

Tickle a dash of water or ice, Grant's 12 years old will switch onto another great taste: it gets lighter in taste, producing a vanilla sweetness and layers of peach-skin taste.

The problem with too much water or ice is that it robs whisky of its flavour.

For a brand that has been around for generations, Grant's 12-year-old is not to be enjoyed at the bar with lemonade or appletiser.

Here's is a well-blended brand. When drunk with appreciation, every pint will be worth every penny.