Brooke has been a rum-and-Coke fan for as long as she can remember. Unlike her first adventures scuba diving (at the tender age of 13) or taking a white-knuckled helicopter ride, Brooke’s initial encounter with whiskey was relatively uneventful. A friend casually suggested swapping whiskey for her trademark rum, and the result was a noticed difference in flavor, one with less sweetness, more burn, and not much appeal to her at the time. Realizing whiskey was probably an acquired taste—one she wasn’t quite ready for—that particular bottle was shelved until a later date.

While whiskey has long been thought of as an almost exclusively male-oriented drink (women-oriented: white wine*, Cosmos), women are reaching for tumblers with the dark brown liquid like never before. Over the past several years the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has seen women account for one out of every four new memberships; in previous years, this number had been one in 10. “Whiskey has a male stereotype associated with it, but women want to try it,” Brooke says. “I think women continually break down barriers, and whiskey is just one example.”

Beth, a Manhattan- based VP at BNP Paribas Bank, was clearly used to breaking down barriers. And when she realized that while most of the powerful men she knew enjoyed whiskey, few women seemed to, she wanted to push that boundary as well. “A woman ordering whiskey is like a man ordering an Appletini,” she says. “You just don’t see it very often.” So she decided to give it another chance over drinks with the girls. With drink in hand—in a glass that doesn’t guarantee a spill with every slight move—Beth felt empowered. And, she says, “I like that it forces you to sip and enjoy.” Currently honing her tasting skills, she knows it will take time (similar to when she first started drinking wine) to hit her stride: “I don’t think I’ve found my whiskey yet,” she says, “so I don’t fully appreciate the taste.” In the name of research, her tumbler is definitely getting more use than her other barware.

Finding the perfect whiskey’s all about such trial and error. But at a time when women pride themselves on being confident and sophisticated, it can be intimidating saddling up to a bar when you’re not sure if you’re asking for a scotch, bourbon, whiskey, or whisky. Belle, a public relations exec based in New York City, agrees that she’s “overwhelmed with all the different types of whiskey” and would love to try the spirit again in the company of a knowledgeable and patient bartender. Enter Nadia. A bartender for the past five years at Vintage in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, Nadia is familiar with the ins and outs of these dark spirits and can break it down for the average novice. (She even knows when to add the “e” and when not to.)

Whiskey: Spirit distilled from grain (barley, corn, rye or wheat), aged in wooden containers, usually made of white oak. Spelled without an e by the Scots and Canadians and with an e in Ireland and the United States.
Bourbon: American whiskey made from a combination of malt, rye and—by law—at least 51% corn; aged for at least two years in charred oak barrels. Although not a requirement, most bourbon is made in Kentucky and it’s the only state allowed to put its name on the label.
Tennessee Whiskey: Recognized as a separate style by the U.S. government in 1941, it’s very similar to bourbon (51% corn) but must be produced in the state of Tennessee and goes through a unique filtering stage referred to as the Lincoln County Process —it takes approximately 10 days—which filters the liquor through sugar-maple charcoal prior to transferring it to casks for aging.
Rye Whiskey: Required to be made from at least 51% rye and stored in new, charred oak barrels for at least two years. Slightly more powerful and bitter than bourbon.
Canadian Whisky: Made in Canada from mashes composed of corn, rye, wheat, and barley malt.
Scotch Whisky: The formal name of what most call just “scotch.” Made in Scotland from a mix of grains, primarily barley, plus “small grains” (used in limited quantities) including oats.
Irish Whiskey: Similar to scotch but without the smoky quality, as it’s not exposed to smoke during roasting.
Single-malt whiskies: One whisky from a single distillery.
Blended whiskies: A mixture of two or more whiskies from two or more distilleries.

With five years of observation from the other side of the bar, Nadia feels “how you’re perceived when you drink different shit” totally factors into your bar order. She says that women who order whiskey on the rocks or shots of tequila seem to do so to either impress men or gain respect. A fair statement, considering bartenders moonlight as adjunct therapists these days. But, that being said, women typically develop a taste for the spirit as they are exposed to various types. Brooke, for instance, worked specifically on retail marketing and promotions for the Jack Daniel’s Family of Fine Whiskeys and thus found herself dusting off that old bottle of whiskey many years later. Suddenly she was acquiring that taste long-ago forgotten: “Like wine, there are many different kinds and it’s a matter of trial and error,” she says. “Some you like, others you don’t.”

In fact, when Brooke’s friend, Lisa, recently received a bottle of Knob Creek Bourbon as a gift, she called on Brooke’s expertise to lead an informative “Ladies Whiskey Tasting Night” in her current hometown of San Diego. A dozen women showed up, more than willing to check their white wine glasses at the door*, and soaked in everything from the history of whiskey to proper tasting methods. “Some were apprehensive,” Brooke says. “Some recalled ‘bad’ experiences with whiskey, but all were willing to give it another shot.”

Women & Whiskey: A Beginner’s Guide (compliments of Brooke):
Please keep in mind that whiskey, bourbon, and scotch whisky all have high proofs (80+).
• For a first-time whiskey drinker: a blended whiskey on the rocks or blended whiskey plus some sort of mixer (Coke, ginger-ale). The ice numbs the tongue and a mixer makes the taste less potent. Either way, it’s more approachable.
• For a first date: whiskey plus some sort of mixer. C’mon it’s a first date—you’ve got to pace yourself!
• For a night out with the girls: a smooth whiskey, something you can sip on (i.e. Gentleman Jack).
• For happy hour with coworkers: see “First date,” assuming you want to stay in control.

* Editors’ Note: No offense, white wine, we’re still quite smitten with you. It’s just, well, we want to see other spirits.

– Jenny Bulgrin