Moderate Consumption

Here are some recommendations for moderated consumption of alcohol:

• Use smaller glencairn glasses. The eye is generous and wants to make sure that empty glasses don't feel lonely by filling them up. This is psychological and can be managed by using smaller glasses. In nutrition, they use "plate size/portion size" tactics to help passively train against eating disorders.
• Ralfy.com, a prominent scotch reviewer, states: quality over quantity. That is to say; the greater the flavor and experience of what's in the glass, the less of it you should need to consume. A recommended dram size would be between 15 and 25 ml depending on proof. Generally speaking; the higher the proof (more flavor, 'better' experience) the lower the quantity should be. A rule of thumb would be to try and fill to the halfway point between the bottom of a glencairn glass and the widest point of the glass bulb. Add a little less or a little more depending on the proof.
• When comparing two different drams, pour less than the recommend amount. This keeps the alcohol consumed lower and helps prevent an overloaded palate
• Take smaller sips. As the Scottish will say "take a sip no larger than a spider's arse".
• Spread the dram over a larger period of time. This not only helps you appreciate the lingering finish better, but also gives your body more time to break down the alcohol. The stomach is the first line of defense and contains enzymes to break down alcohol even before alcohol makes it into the blood stream. But its capacity is limited. Consuming alcohol slowly helps the body be able to keep up with the chemical metabolism of the alcohol. Also drink plenty of water and drink on a full stomach. This also helps reduce the rate of absorption into the blood stream.
• Don't let pursuit of new experiences over take the enjoyment of the current experience. Let the current experience reign, let time stand still, and worry about what else you need to drink another day.
• Adjust perspective. Alcohol is just one facet of life, there are many other things that bring you pleasure. For a few days out of the week, focus on a different pleasure and forgo alcohol. But always hold something in higher regard than personal pleasures, as they are often not enough to satisfy man's desires and can still lead to emptiness. Take it from Ecclesiastes, the writings of an ancient king who had everything, yet still had nothing:
  Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
  I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female servants and had other servants who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
  10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
  I refused my heart no pleasure.
  My heart took delight in all my labor,
  and this was the reward for all my toil.
  11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
  and what I had toiled to achieve,
  everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
  nothing was gained under the sun.

I will leave off with two additional data points. My father's boss had a single glass every night after work and still got liver damage causing him to have to quit drinking completely. Yet Winston Churchill, who was known to "drink like a fish" lived until 90. There are many genetic and environmental factors that weigh heavily on someone's disposition to liver damage. Like anything in life, focus on the factors you can control vs the ones you can't.

Enjoy your spirits journey, Sláinte.