How to drink Hozier’s preferred spirt, according to the founder of Ammunition Wines and Whiskey

During a warm night in Woodstock, New York, in August, I listened as Hozier belted out his chart-topping hit “Too Sweet,” in which the Irish singer-songwriter laments about the differences between him and a potential love interest.

According to Hozier, unlike this mystery person, who he has deemed “too sweet” for him, he prefers to take his “whiskey neat,” his coffee black, and his bed at three.

As I watched Hozier perform on stage at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the location of the famed 1969 Woodstock Music Festival, I was joined by Andy Wahl, the co-founder of Ammunition Wines and Whiskey, who took the opportunity to teach me about the ins and outs of whiskey, and how best to enjoy Hozier’s preferred spirit.

Although Hozier prefers his whiskey neat, I watched the concert with a whiskey sour in hand, a cocktail made of whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar. According to Wahl, the best part about whiskey, particularly those “finished” in a secondary wine cask, is the versatility of the spirit, as it can be “enjoyed in any different way: neat, ice, cocktail, but also allows for range in pairing with any type of meal,” whether it be a pre-dinner appetizer or a hearty main course.

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes when it comes to drinking whiskey, according to Ammunition’s founder, is the idea that there is a right or “wrong” way to drink the spirit.

“We are not splitting the atom, we are enjoying a nice relaxing beverage amongst friends and/or family,” Wahl joked, before noting that his most commonly touted piece of advice to whiskey novices is to “experiment with their palate.”

To become an experienced whiskey connoisseur, Wahl says all it takes is an awareness of what you like. “Be your own judge and make choices that make you a refined and experienced whiskey connoisseur,” he advised. This also means knowing that there is not one “right” way to drink whiskey.

That being said, there are some methods for enjoying and appreciating whiskey that are more effective than others, such as the way we encounter the spirit’s scent. Unlike wine, where you may stick your nose in the glass, with whiskey enjoyed neat, Wahl recommends “letting the aromas float into the nose by positioning an inch or two above the glass.” Once you’ve captured the scent, a small taste that lingers on the tongue is next.

And just because Hozier enjoys his whiskey neat doesn’t mean you have to, as the addition of an ice cube is the perfect way to make the spirit more palatable.

“While drinking neat certainly is preferred by a lot of connoisseurs these days, it isn’t a requirement,” Wahl said. Take, for example, the brand’s Ammunition Bourbon and Rye, which is 90 proof and 45 percent ABV.

According to Wahl, with this slightly higher than normal alcohol proof, pouring the whiskey over an ice cube and slowly enjoying the drink over an hour “makes it really the perfect balance of water, oils, aromas and flavors.”

However, when it comes to whiskey, there’s one pairing that Ammunition Whiskey’s founder swears by: good company. “Like any refined and delicious whiskey, Ammunition Straight Bourbon should only be paired with the best of friends, family, and colleagues,” he explained. “Whether you are drinking neat, over ice, or mixed with a splash of coke, when drinking the finest whiskies they should only be enjoyed, cherished, and paired with the people you love and respect the most.”