Heres the thing about the Irish: they arent a fussy people. The French might sniff dismissively if you use the wrong fork to eat your escargot or chuck an ice cube into your glass of Bordeaux. But if you wander into an Irish public house and ask for a glass of Irish whiskey, theyll be happy to drink with you, however you see fit to take your wee dram.

That said, there are some rules of thumb, developed over the years, that could make your enjoyment of that glass even deeper. After all, this is a drink thats been around a long time, and people have learned the best ways to enjoy it. Whiskey making has been recorded as far back as the 12th century, said Kieran Folliard , founder of Red Locks Whiskey, which is produced at the Great Northern Distillery in County Louth, Ireland. We Irish have had a lot of years to perfect this particular liquid, which has rightly earned its reputation as the worlds finest spirit.

Another fan of the beverage is Jenna Elie of Whisky A Go Girl , a U.S. citizen of Irish descent, who said, There are so many beautiful sprits and stories in Irish whiskey bottles, and they deserve a special spot on the shelf and in your glass.

If youve tried whiskey before and didnt like it, perhaps you werent trying Irish whiskey. According to Richard Davies , co-founder and CEO of County Louths Slinte Irish Whiskey , the Emerald Isle has the advantage of a superior natural resource. He said, Irish water is generally softer than water in America, which causes the whiskey to have a smoother, yet light taste, with a softer profile when compared to traditional American brands, he said.

Want to drink just like they do on the Emerald Isle? We talked to experts for their thoughts, and they told us some of the secrets to enjoying a the best possible drink of Irish whiskey.

Get the right glass

If you want to enjoy whiskey like the experts, youll need a proper whiskey glass, said Maggie Kimberl , content editor of American Whiskey magazine , who is pretty sure theres at least some Irish in her background. Shes the content editor of American Whiskey magazine . Like most whiskey professionals, I recommend the Glencairn glass , she said.

It was specially designed by industry experts to aid in the evaluation of whiskey, she said. The bulb at the bottom is the perfect size for a one- to two-ounce neat pour. And the fluted shape concentrates the aromas at the top of the glass so the drinker can pick up even the most subtle notes.