What is 2 fingers of whiskey?

Answered by Louis Krause

As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question: What is 2 fingers of ?

The term “2 fingers” is commonly used in the bar industry to specify the amount of whiskey or any other spirit to be poured. It is a way to measure the pour without the need for a measuring tool. Instead, the bartender uses their own fingers as a measurement guide.

Traditionally, the “finger pour” refers to pouring the whiskey up to the height of two fingers in a standard old fashioned glass. The idea behind this measurement is to provide a consistent and standardized pour across different establishments. By using the width of the fingers as a reference, it ensures that the pour is approximately the same for everyone.

In terms of actual volume, 2 fingers of whiskey typically equals about two ounces. However, it's important to note that the width of fingers can vary from person to person. Therefore, the exact volume may differ slightly depending on the bartender's hand size. To overcome this variability, there has been a recent effort to standardize the “finger pour” to 3/4 of an inch per finger, which would equal about one ounce per finger.

This move towards standardization is reminiscent of the historical significance of the finger pour. In the past, before the availability of precise measuring tools, bartenders would use their fingers to estimate the amount of liquor to pour. This method allowed for quick and efficient service, while still maintaining a consistent pour.

Personally, I have encountered the term “2 fingers” in many bar settings. It is a shorthand way for bartenders and customers to communicate the desired amount of whiskey to be poured. Whether it's a neat pour, on the rocks, or as part of a cocktail, the term “2 fingers” provides a common understanding of the desired serving size.

2 fingers of whiskey is a measurement technique used in the bar industry to specify the amount of whiskey to be poured. It refers to pouring the whiskey up to the height of two fingers in a standard old fashioned glass, which typically equals about two ounces. However, there has been a recent effort to standardize the finger pour to 3/4 of an inch per finger, which would result in approximately one ounce per finger. This standardization aims to provide consistency in pour sizes across different establishments.