Liquid Philosophy

The First Treasure: The Simplicity of Essence and Mind

27 March 2026

“I have just three things to teach: Simplicity, Patience, Compassion.” ~ Lao Tzu

For me to understand the Tao, is in fact the way to understand whisky. I often find the knowledge surrounding Scotch Whisky to be overwhelming. My racing and wandering mind must be calmed and redirected. I direct my neural traffic toward interoceptive awareness or internal state blocking the noise. This transforms the act from sipping a dram into a radical act of self-witnessing. 

This brings me to Sanbao which offers three core virtues that serve as the foundation for ethical living and spiritual practice. These are Simplicity, Patience, and Compassion which are essential for sustaining life. Sanbao is often referred to as the Three Treasures, a concept that emphasizes a way of living that is in harmony with the Tao by practicing restraint and empathy rather than aggression or self-importance.

I will loosely define the Sanbao as related to whisky and not veering into the multiple sects of Taoism. Keeping whisky in the forefront. We will begin with Simplicity before moving into Patience and Compassion. I will use both Jing and Jian to explore the two aspects of Simplicity. Though Jing and Jian are distinct concepts, they are deeply "similar" in their focus on essentialism. They both strip away the unnecessary to focus on the core of the spirit. 

Let's start with Jing. Jing is the essence referring to physical raw materials.  It is the "what" of the whisky. The tangible substance that holds the potential of the spirit beginning with those earthly materials. The essence of whisky lies in grain, water, and yeast which is like the uncarved block or Pu. Where Pu represents a life free from complex desires and waste starting from the purity of ingredients. The transformation of grain to dram flows collecting the essence of the spirit.  Jing is the raw, physical essence.

Jian is the simple mindset or the attitude of the drinker. This can be translated as frugality, moderation, or economy.  It is the "how" of the experience by approaching the glass without complex desires, ego, or the need for expensive status symbols. Jian is the purity of the intention, to live and to drink, free from the complexity of desires and explanation.

You can think of them as two sides of the same coin: Jing is the simplicity of the liquid, while Jian is the simplicity of the person drinking it. By practicing Jian we are truly able to appreciate the Jing within the glass. 

Yet, even with the purest ingredients and a simplified mind, the spirit is not yet complete; it requires the second treasure, Patience, to endure the long, silent transformation.

Liquid Expression of the Tao

“The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to.
It flows to low places loathed by all men. Therefore, it is like the Tao.”  ~ Lao Tzu 

Whisky is but a "liquid expression of the Tao". 

The Tao as a philosophy for drinking takes in account core concepts typically aligned based on common whisky culture and Taoist principles. The ineffable nature of the flow provides the pathway to find the “Tao of Whisky.”  This winding, sometimes less determined route will guide us into the realm of enjoying whisky. The Way being the source of all this Tao remains that starting point into which early references of "Uisge Beatha" (Water of Life) as a fundamental connector to nature. 

As I wander down this path, one thing to understand is The Tao of Whisky is a conceptual project exploring the intersection of ancient Eastern philosophy and the liquid history of Scotland and beyond. The idea of "philosophy in a glass" emphasizes direct experience over explanation, mirroring the Taoist belief that the "Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao".

The essence of my writings are to guide the lifecycle of whisky as a metaphor for the Taoist journey toward harmony. That unwavering balance of Yin and Yang allows the Tao and perceived whisky culture are the principles I hope to develop.

The journey will be ever changing as the flow of life directs us down the endless path towards our next dram. As Garth once said “Cause I’ve got friends in low places” which is where the Tao and water collect.

Tao is Whisky. Whisky is Tao.

Liquid Philosophy 

“The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The Name that can be named is the eternal Name.” ~ Lao Tzu

We are about to pour a glass of liquid philosophy. The parallel between the Tao and a fine whisky exists in that space between experience and explanation. To express a flavor profile of a 12 year old Islay or the nature of the universe, words usually get in the way.

Just as “the Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao,” the whisky described is not the whisky on your tongue.

You don’t command a whisky to be good; you wait for it to open up. You don’t force the Tao; you align with its current.

Water, grain, and fire. Simple elements, yet the result is a complex gateway to a specific moment in time.

The subjective reality internalizes the experiences brought forth by the alchemy mystery of whisky.

The palate is an uncarved block; the finish is a return to the root.

To treat whisky as Tao is to stop tasting as a critic and start being with it as a participant. The burn in the throat is a reminder of presence. The warmth in the chest is the Qi.

If the gateway is open, what are we pouring? Is it a heavy, peat-smoked cloud of unknowing or a bright, fruity note of clarity?

A sip is silent.

Tao is Whisky. Whisky is Tao.

The Journey to find the Way.

The reason to sit at the bar is the way to further create experiences during your life journey. When I say "sit at the bar", I mean sit at the bar at a drinking establishment (or restaurant). It is hard to grab a stool, sit at the bar, order a drink, and try not to become absorbed on the phone. It is much less intimidating to get a table hence creating an isolation from other patrons. You also build a barrier of distance from the inception of your drink. At the bar, you can watch your cocktail being made or your dram poured. Yes, a seat at the bar can be a scary place and create a paralysis riddled with anxiety. 

Allow yourself to yield to fears and sit at the bar for the sole purpose to engage interesting folk. Sometimes you must wait and see what happens as conversations take an awkward course. The way is woven into the small awkward chatter that could or may lead to existential moments. You deserve to be in that room along with that seat at the bar. 

Sit at the bar. Order a Whisk(e)y. Find your Grail.

The Way will be presented.