What is it about Scotch whisky that commands such devotion like a preacher commanding the soul of their flock? Most casual drinkers associate it with a bad night in college, the precursor to an evening — and an early morning — of regrettable decisions.

To better understand, I took my novice palate and scarce knowledge to Dornoch Castle to sign up for their whisky tasting so that I might learn the differences from a smokey Islay and a sweet Speyside, or indeed, what they are in the first place. But before I got to that, I had to learn how to properly taste the drink for maximum appreciation using one of the world’s top-rated whisky bars (rated by drinkers themselves) as my textbook.