HOW TO serve a Blue Label

Johnnie Walker prides itself on the exclusivity of all its whisky brands, but it's clear that the Blue Label holds pride of place even in the Elite League.

Introduced in 1992 "to encapsulate the essence of Victorian times", Blue Label won the gold medal for Best Blended Whisky in the World the following year and is touted by the company as being the ultimate luxury Scotch whisky.

The rarity and expense of the whiskies used in this blend ensures that supplies of Blue Label are limited, and you'll have to fork out around Rs 13,000 for a bottle in India.

But then, as master blender Ian Williams says, this isn't a drink to be had casually.

"It's meant for very, very special occasions "" sealing a really important business deal, for instance," says Williams, who was in India recently for a mentoring session.

So what, according to the master blender, is the perfect serve? First, keep a glass of water over ice at hand. The whisky should then be poured into a brandy balloon or snifter.

The bartender should swirl the Blue Label around the brandy balloon to release its perfectly balanced flavours, because this "" and here Williams turns poet-manque "" "opens up the whisky, like a beautiful flower slowly opening its petals as dawn breaks".

The glass of water over ice is then offered to the drinker, the idea being to cleanse the palate completely. This must be repeated before each sip of neat Blue Label.

"It refreshes the mouth and allows a small amount of water to combine with the whisky on the palette," says Williams. "Small amount" being the key: the rare whiskies that combine to make Blue Label are best appreciated at full strength.

Tailpiece: Given above is the classical way. But a word for all those snobs who have fixed ideas about what is definitely not permissible when it comes to whisky drinking.

"Consumers should, above all, appreciate that the way they best enjoy their whisky is the correct way," says Williams. Even if that "" yes! "" translates into adding a carbonated beverage to the precious blend.

"I'm not saying I'd actually advise anyone to drink whisky with cola," cautions Williams, "but personal enjoyment is all-important." And pressed further, the master blender admits sheepishly that he's consumed Blue Label with Coke himself on occasion "" "when I was in the mood for that combination".

So there you have it, straight from the Keeper of the Quaich's mouth. We've told you about the perfect serve, but don't let anyone browbeat or shame you into doing it that way.