Posted: 10/8/2009 5:49:51 PM EDT
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I have some friends who enjoy the taste of good whiskey, but I could never get into it. I usually enjoy craft beers, but when it comes to liquors i've found the alcohol taste completely overwhelms my tastebuds and drowns out the flavor of the actual spirit.
Recently I read online that adding a tiny amount of water, as little as a few mL, significantly reduces the alcohol taste without watering down the whiskey taste. I tried this myself, adding .25oz of water to 1.75oz of whiskey, and I found that it did indeed reduce the alcohol taste enough that I could actually enjoy the flavor of the spirit without tasting only the alcohol. Is adding a tiny bit of water an acceptable way to drink whiskey if i'm looking to enjoy the flavor, or is it considered wimpy or wasteful? |
| Most say that it is the only way to go. A lot of Master Distillers actually bottle their stuff in anticipation of the end user adding water (or ice). I have converted many non-whiskey drinkers by putting the drink on ice (try to use store bought clear ice). Allow the ice to melt and the flavors open up. I attend WhiskeyFest every year in NY. Every single table offers ice or bottled water to add to the drink. As you get into it, you may wish to start tasting with and without, to see what flavors the water actually releases. |
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I use ice myself. First few sips taste good...but bite hard. Once the ice melts, you get more flavor and less bite.
And it's all I can do not to slap my BILs when they mix with ginger ale. If they weren't providing me with all I want to drink at the same time I would ;) I'm a whore for some Maker's...what can I say. |
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Quoted:
I use ice myself. First few sips taste good...but bite hard. Once the ice melts, you get more flavor and less bite. And it's all I can do not to slap my BILs when they mix with ginger ale. If they weren't providing me with all I want to drink at the same time I would ;) I'm a whore for some Maker's...what can I say. ICE! The horror, the horror ... 
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To me, the Irish whiskeys don't need it. Jameson, Red Bird, Knappogue Castle, Bushmills all taste fine by themselves. But Jack Daniels definitely needs a bit of water to tone down the bite. Bourbon is another spirit that I don't feel needs the water. But I went over to my friends house, and he mixed us up some Booker's and ice, which I thought was extremely mellow. Depends on your taste, I guess. Although I don't suggest adding water to 21 year old Bowmore whisky. If you do, a representative from the Bowmore distillery will personally fly to where you live, and punch you in the dick. That is the rumor anyway. 
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mine usually comes in a jar with a peach in it. Not all whiskeys/whisky is created equal. Ingredients/impurities cause different flavors/burns/taste. recommend trying a quality one. (just because it is high priced does not make it quality) You can also try the (slowly getting into the pool method) by Mixing ( Heathen) with some 7 up/sprite (just a little) to start. Can also "riming" the glass with a lemon. Over time slowly do away with the "crutches" and drink straight. If still don't like it, then play with the mix, and the hell with what people say. I know some snobs that can't tell Jim Beam from Maker's from George Dickel. ( I just keep some fancy bottles at house and refill with cheaper stuff, and when they drink at parties they all say I always have the good stuff). SNOBS!!!!! |
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Just do your shot like a man and chase it after. I'm trying to sip it and enjoy the taste, not take shots and get wasted. Anyways, tonight i've been drinking Crown Royal, and it's the first whiskey i've actually enjoyed, thanks to drinking it this way. Next time I might try some Maker's Mark, Jack Daniel's or Johnny Walker (only other Whiskey where i've actually been able to taste much flavor beneath the alcohol, at least until now). What else is good in the <$30 range? |
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Quoted: Quoted: Just do your shot like a man and chase it after. I'm trying to sip it and enjoy the taste, not take shots and get wasted. Anyways, tonight i've been drinking Crown Royal, and it's the first whiskey i've actually enjoyed, thanks to drinking it this way. Next time I might try some Maker's Mark, Jack Daniel's or Johnny Walker (only other Whiskey where i've actually been able to taste much flavor beneath the alcohol, at least until now). What else is good in the <$30 range? that could be the reason try this for advice: www.greatbourbon.com Of course this for Bourbon |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Just do your shot like a man and chase it after. I'm trying to sip it and enjoy the taste, not take shots and get wasted. Anyways, tonight i've been drinking Crown Royal, and it's the first whiskey i've actually enjoyed, thanks to drinking it this way. Next time I might try some Maker's Mark, Jack Daniel's or Johnny Walker (only other Whiskey where i've actually been able to taste much flavor beneath the alcohol, at least until now). What else is good in the <$30 range? Eagle Rare 10 year |
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short answer: yes, a splash of cool (not cold) water is a very appropriate way to bring out the flavor complexities in a good whiskey or whisky. just like salt brings out the flavor in beef, and wine polymerizes with the proteins in steak, cool water can actually enhance the experience (depending upon your taste). just avoid ice. remember, cold is the enemy of flavor.
no, your man card will not be revoked. trust me. i do this for a living. |
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Quoted:
I use ice myself. First few sips taste good...but bite hard. Once the ice melts, you get more flavor and less bite. And it's all I can do not to slap my BILs when they mix with ginger ale. If they weren't providing me with all I want to drink at the same time I would ;) I'm a whore for some Maker's...what can I say. While I do not consider myself a "whore" for MM I agree with the rest of your post... I put two ice cubes in when I pour myself a couple fingers. MM has a peppery taste to it that is smoother once cut with a little melted ice. I never understood that when I was younger and didn't drink. Now I get it. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Just do your shot like a man and chase it after. I'm trying to sip it and enjoy the taste, not take shots and get wasted. Anyways, tonight i've been drinking Crown Royal, and it's the first whiskey i've actually enjoyed, thanks to drinking it this way. Next time I might try some Maker's Mark, Jack Daniel's or Johnny Walker (only other Whiskey where i've actually been able to taste much flavor beneath the alcohol, at least until now). What else is good in the <$30 range? I got a bottle of Woodford Reserve for 29 about 15 minutes ago 
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Some people use a few ice cubes (me), some people a little water.  Ice cubes do the same thing, but also make the beverage cooler.Room temperature is ideal for spirit tasting. I use distilled water that sits on my cabinet. To add, a lot of scotch aficionados use a small amount of water to bring out the flavor. I've done it for a few years and I've been able to taste things I normally wouldn't be able to. |