To be honest, I have been faking my whisky knowledge for two years

At one point, I made a small commitment, and now I am in too deep. One of the questions I was asked at a Glenfiddich whisky tasting caught me off guard. I answered confidently, nodded at the color like I could actually decode it, and now that person is convinced I know exactly what I’m talking about.

I am not sure what I am talking about.

Time has passed, and I have become aware of the difference between peated and unpeated. There is a particular liking of mine to highland and Speyside.

I am aware of the distinction that exists between single malt and blended, based on two products I got from Alibaba, and I realize why. But beyond that? Whisky circles have their own lingo, known as the notes on flavors, cask house, finish, etc., which I have been nodding at longer than is probably a defensible position.

My actual education began when I no longer attempted to label things properly, but instead, I simply listened to what I was really interested in hearing. That sounds obvious. It took a while.

I'm still learning. Now I learn at a slower pace because I understood that I was not as knowledgeable as I imagined.

Is there another one of you halfway along here? It is liberating to acknowledge that you are a serious enthusiast who has much to learn.