Country music has always had a thing for heartbreak and whiskey, but rarely have the two been paired with as much clarity and emotional weight as Dylan Scott does in his latest single, “I Hate Whiskey.”
Released on March 28 as a sneak peek into his upcoming album Easy Does It, the song trades rowdy barroom songs for something much more subdued. Built on calm, minimalist instrumentation, “I Hate Whiskey” is a stripped-down ballad that puts Scott’s vulnerability front and center.
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From the very first line, it’s clear this isn’t your typical country drinking song. “I can shoot tequila straight when I’m out with my friends / I can unwind on a little wine, baby, yeah, I can.” But when it comes to whiskey? That’s where things get personal. Instead of numbing the pain, the drink dredges up old feelings and broken memories.
The chorus hits especially hard:
“It doesn’t burn your memory, it just lights it up / Yeah, I hate whiskey / ‘Cause it only gets me drunk / On you, on us.”
That gut-punch of a lyric captures the essence of the track, whiskey isn’t the enemy, but a painful reminder of love lost. It’s a clever, poetic twist on a familiar country trope, and Scott sells it with the sincerity of someone who’s lived every word.
The instrumentation is intentionally sparse, mostly acoustic with soft, ambient touches. There are no fireworks here, just a slow-burning ache that builds quietly beneath the surface. It’s the kind of song that feels like a 2 a.m. confession, whispered over a half-empty glass.
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“I Hate Whiskey” was penned by Taylor Phillips, Michael Ray, Jon Kraft, and Jaxson Free, and it’s one of six new tracks on Easy Does It, which drops May 30. The album marks a reflective era for Scott—who, as he shared in a recent statement, is finally finding peace in slowing down and embracing life as it comes.
In the meantime, this single proves Scott is still growing as a storyteller. It’s subtle. It’s sad. And it sticks with you.
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