Crossword Genius

Whiskey trier and a few when drunk (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

firewater

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'whiskey' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both things that one consumes for nourishment as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'trier and a few when drunk' is the wordplay.
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'when drunk' indicates an anagram (a drunken or disorderly form of the letters).
'a'+'few'='afew'
'trier' after 'afew' is 'afewtrier'.
'afewtrier' anagrammed gives 'FIREWATER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for firewater that I've seen before include "Strong spirit" , "Strong alcoholic spirits" , "whisky" , "Strong drink (two elements!)" , "Strong alcoholic drink" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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