This is a totally personal theory but doesn't whiskey kill the cells on the lining of the throat to some extent, would this not also help to ease the pain, also because alcahol has a strong dehydrating property wouldn't it also help to reduce swelling, again just a thought, I'm not quoting from Jack Daniels bumper book of familly medicine or anything
When I have a sore throat I have tried brandy, whiskey or whatever even though I'm not a big spirits drinker and it did seem to help, even though I didn't go on to get toasted, placebo maybe but whatever works right?