Posted: 12/29/2014 6:19:42 PM EDT
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So, I am not a whiskey drinker, but my brother in law is. He got a bottle of Green Spot Irish Whiskey for Xmas and I had a drink with him. He asked if I wanted ice, water, or straight. I told him I wasn't much of a whiskey drinker and so would follow his recommendation. He recommended water, and took care of it. I was very impressed with how good the Green Spot was. I am thinking of picking up a bottle. I'd like to replicate how much water he probably put in. If someone pours a finger of whiskey, do you put in just a couple drops of water? a half-finger? What's the purpose of the water (for me, it seemed to pull the elements apart so I could appreciate it)? I am guessing ice really isn't about cooling the whiskey but more about slowly adding small amounts of water. Aslo In Before 'Real Men Drink Wild Turkey Straight!'
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I used to be snobbish about such things, but now I'm of the mind that if you buy a bottle of booze, you're free to enjoy it in whatever way seems best to you; that is, there is no "proper" way to do it.
I'd suggest you experiment a little. Obtain whiskey, pour a glass, and add water until you like it. I'd suggest good water, though. Something better than municipal tap, be it spring, reverse osmosis, whatever. |
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I would say it is personal. Anything from a few drops to an equal volume might be where you find the right mix. Just have to experiment, and your tastes might change with time. I'd agree. Some folks like it cold, cold with ice, cold without ice, room temperature, whatever. I like bourbon at room temp and add a little water if it's good stuff like Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, or something nicer. Experiment with it yourself if you like, a little bit of water can really change the flavor profile for a whiskey you like. Cheaper stuff gets mixed into coffee or with a splash of coke. |
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I actually like Wild Turkey 101, with one 2" rock...Big Ass Ice Cubes Rock!
Wild Turkey is made differently, from the distiller: Wild Turkey is distilled at a lower proof. This seals in its taste, and makes it possible for us to add very little water when the bourbon comes out of the warehouse. sorry for the hijack...shot of whiskey/whisky and about a teaspoon of water if no rocks.... |
| Ask any master distiller and they will tell you to add water or ice (best if it's one big chunk). Try it at home - one glass straight, one with water and then another with a large ice cube that's melted some. Crushed doesn't work well because it melts too fast. The water really lets the flavors and aroma come out. Similar to letting a good wine "breathe" or get contact with air for a while. |
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So . . . I'm reading this thread thinking, "WTF? Who would want to water down good scotch with any amount of water?!?"
And since I'm sipping on some Johnny Walker Black at this very moment, I thought I'd grab the bottle of water I was drinking when I got home (five minutes ago!) and dribble a couple drops into about a finger's worth to see for myself. Well, I can't speak to distilled water, but I am surprised to report a much more broad, less harsh(?) flavor from just 3 drops of ordinary, bottled water! Interesting, to say the least. Can't say I'll always use it, but I do stand corrected. 
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So, I am not a whiskey drinker, but my brother in law is. He got a bottle of Green Spot Irish Whiskey for Xmas and I had a drink with him. He asked if I wanted ice, water, or straight. I told him I wasn't much of a whiskey drinker and so would follow his recommendation. He recommended water, and took care of it. I was very impressed with how good the Green Spot was. I am thinking of picking up a bottle. I'd like to replicate how much water he probably put in. If someone pours a finger of whiskey, do you put in just a couple drops of water? a half-finger? What's the purpose of the water (for me, it seemed to pull the elements apart so I could appreciate it)? I am guessing ice really isn't about cooling the whiskey but more about slowly adding small amounts of water. Aslo In Before 'Real Men Drink Wild Turkey Straight!' Whatever works for you. Start with having it neat and then add a couple of drops of water at a time to suit how you like it. As mentioned above, adding water can open up the nose and the taste, allowing the more subtle elements to become more prominent. Ideally you would try to get the whisk(e)y close to 40% alcohol when adding water. Over 40% the alcohol bite can start to overpower flavours, although this will vary from individual to individual depending on the sensitivity of their taste and olfactory senses. With Green Spot being 40% (IIRC) you probably would not need to add very much water at all. Ice is a big no-no in terms of whisk(e)y drinking for most people. Ice will kill the flavours of the whisk(e)y so I would personally avoid ice, but again, it is a matter of personal preference. Enjoy. 
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Quoted: Indeed. The point of drinking whiskey is to enjoy it. Quoted: Quoted: I would say it is personal. Anything from a few drops to an equal volume might be where you find the right mix. Just have to experiment, and your tastes might change with time. Indeed. The point of drinking whiskey is to enjoy it. |
| Put as much water in it as you like. Your palate your rules. These guys in GD who say any more than 3 drops makes you a pussy probably don't know shit about whiskey. Watch YouTube videos of real Scots reviewing scotch and some of them put up to a tablespoon of water in their glasses. Sometimes adding water dulls the alcohol burn so you can pick up more flavors in the spirit. |
I think I'll have a wee nip of Jameson Crested Ten. 
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I usually add a few drops of tap water to whatever burbon or whisky that I may be drinking at the time.
I can hear it now. "For the love of all that is holy DONT USE TAP WATER!" Well, my water is hard as fuck, and I like the additional "flavor" it brings to my glass. 
Also, its always available, and I haven't ruined a glass of whiskey with it yet. 
I'm with the "Don't add city water!" guys, though. My water comes from a well, and it isn't chlorinated and flourided all to hell like a municipal source.
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Why? Isn't "enjoyment" the point of drinking it? Quoted:
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This thread is full of FAIL and AIDS. Drink it neat or not at all. Why? Isn't "enjoyment" the point of drinking it? Real men make faces when they shoot their whiskey, and they fucking like it, Nancy. 
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Why? Isn't "enjoyment" the point of drinking it? Quoted:
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This thread is full of FAIL and AIDS. Drink it neat or not at all. Why? Isn't "enjoyment" the point of drinking it? It is like putting A1 on a fine steak. Sure, there is probably someone who likes it that way. It doesn't make it any less wrong. |
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One thing to consider is that whisky/whiskey has a good bit higher alcohol level when it comes out of the cask than it does when it gets to the bottle. To reduce it to bottle strength they add.....water. I say, add more water if makes it more enjoyable, don't if it doesn't.
If adding water ruins it, only buy and drink cask strength.
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It is like putting A1 on a fine steak. Sure, there is probably someone who likes it that way. It doesn't make it any less wrong. Quoted:
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This thread is full of FAIL and AIDS. Drink it neat or not at all. Why? Isn't "enjoyment" the point of drinking it? It is like putting A1 on a fine steak. Sure, there is probably someone who likes it that way. It doesn't make it any less wrong. Talk to the guys making the whiskey. They'll tell you to add some water to truly enjoy the flavor of the spirit. Give it a try. |
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Talk to the guys making the whiskey. They'll tell you to add some water to truly enjoy the flavor of the spirit. Give it a try. Quoted:
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This thread is full of FAIL and AIDS. Drink it neat or not at all. Why? Isn't "enjoyment" the point of drinking it? It is like putting A1 on a fine steak. Sure, there is probably someone who likes it that way. It doesn't make it any less wrong. Talk to the guys making the whiskey. They'll tell you to add some water to truly enjoy the flavor of the spirit. Give it a try. You need to drink better whiskey |
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You need to drink better whiskey Quoted:
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This thread is full of FAIL and AIDS. Drink it neat or not at all. Why? Isn't "enjoyment" the point of drinking it? It is like putting A1 on a fine steak. Sure, there is probably someone who likes it that way. It doesn't make it any less wrong. Talk to the guys making the whiskey. They'll tell you to add some water to truly enjoy the flavor of the spirit. Give it a try. You need to drink better whiskey 
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I believe the master distiller at Laphroiag actually recommends adding a few drops of water to open up the flavor. I like it neat, but it's still very good with a bit of water.
Using ice not only waters whisk(e)y down way too much, but drinking it colder actually numbs your tongue somewhat so that you can't taste it as well. |
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I've been drinking the Weller Antique 107 proof and I find that a splash of water tones down the fire a little and makes it more pleasant to drink. The flavors also seems to come out more with a little water. I just finished off a bottle of that tonight. I always add a few cubes of ice and a little water to it. IMO really good for the price. |