Kaushal Shah and Vikas Bhagat admit to succumbing to the growing popularity of American whiskey Jack Daniels (JD) while still in college. "Back then, I would have a lot of JD coke [a highball cocktail made by mixing JD with cola]. And, if I had JD honey [blend of JD and a unique honey liqueur], I would have it on the rocks," recalls 33-year-old Shah of Sirocco Restaurants LLP. Bhagat, however, has JD with plain cola. "I am a '90s kid. During the time I was studying in Scotland, no other whiskey in the market was as loud as American whiskey. So, we were drawn more to the latter," adds 30-year-old Bhagat, owner of Goregaon's Mannrangi restaurant.

But, only one of them continued the love affair with American whiskey. While Bhagat, still loyal to his youthful spirit, now prefers Tennessee whiskey, which is straight whiskey produced in the US state of Tennessee, and also known as bourbon whiskey, Shah likes the taste of Irish whiskey on his palette. "I drink Jameson on the rocks or with water. I've realised it's just smoother and easier on the palette than any American whiskey," Shah shares, when asked why he decided on changing teams.