I will add, drinking Lowland scotch is like drinking piss.
Never drink scotch on the rocks or with an ice ball. It shows you're a novice, and likely a gigantic wuss. If the scotch is too strong, just give it literally a single drop or two of water. It changes the entire makeup of your pour.
Many master distillers add just a bit of water to open the whiskey up, even at lower proofs. It's a real thing, and it does make a difference.
I do this for sure on the high test bourbon. It makes a huge difference. Need to try again with single malt.
I've never cared for the results of adding a few drops. Barely dents the alcohol, but is like a sledge hammer on the subtle flavors.
WHY ADD WATER TO WHISKEY? The main problem with adding ice to whiskey is not that water is inherently bad for whiskey – it’s that the quantity water isn’t perfectly measured. Just a tiny drop of water can change the way your whiskey tastes, and a drop too many can ruin the flavor entirely.
When you add water to your whiskey, you are changing the flavor on a molecular level. This is literally a science, meaning it’s important to start with the tiniest of drops. The amount of water you need to add depends entirely on the whiskey you’re drinking, because each bottling has such unique properties. Molecules in different kinds of whiskeys will be at different levels of solubility, meaning that adding a small drop of water will pull different flavors out of the whiskey.
People who drink hot whiskey, for instance, will bring out more oils. This can create a bitter flavor, or even bring out grassy notes. Drops of water can neutralize that change in flavor. Changes also occur when you add ice to whiskey. Fewer molecules will evaporate from the top of your glass, owing to the lower temperature. Drops of water can rebalance that, making a flavor seem less intense even at a lower temperature.
WHY ADD WATER TO WHISKEY? The main problem with adding ice to whiskey is not that water is inherently bad for whiskey – it’s that the quantity water isn’t perfectly measured. Just a tiny drop of water can change the way your whiskey tastes, and a drop too many can ruin the flavor entirely.
When you add water to your whiskey, you are changing the flavor on a molecular level. This is literally a science, meaning it’s important to start with the tiniest of drops. The amount of water you need to add depends entirely on the whiskey you’re drinking, because each bottling has such unique properties. Molecules in different kinds of whiskeys will be at different levels of solubility, meaning that adding a small drop of water will pull different flavors out of the whiskey.
People who drink hot whiskey, for instance, will bring out more oils. This can create a bitter flavor, or even bring out grassy notes. Drops of water can neutralize that change in flavor. Changes also occur when you add ice to whiskey. Fewer molecules will evaporate from the top of your glass, owing to the lower temperature. Drops of water can rebalance that, making a flavor seem less intense even at a lower temperature.
This is getting way too precious. Adding water dilutes flavor.
WHY ADD WATER TO WHISKEY? The main problem with adding ice to whiskey is not that water is inherently bad for whiskey – it’s that the quantity water isn’t perfectly measured. Just a tiny drop of water can change the way your whiskey tastes, and a drop too many can ruin the flavor entirely.
When you add water to your whiskey, you are changing the flavor on a molecular level. This is literally a science, meaning it’s important to start with the tiniest of drops. The amount of water you need to add depends entirely on the whiskey you’re drinking, because each bottling has such unique properties. Molecules in different kinds of whiskeys will be at different levels of solubility, meaning that adding a small drop of water will pull different flavors out of the whiskey.
People who drink hot whiskey, for instance, will bring out more oils. This can create a bitter flavor, or even bring out grassy notes. Drops of water can neutralize that change in flavor. Changes also occur when you add ice to whiskey. Fewer molecules will evaporate from the top of your glass, owing to the lower temperature. Drops of water can rebalance that, making a flavor seem less intense even at a lower temperature.
This is getting way too precious. Adding water dilutes flavor.
I’m drinkig Lagavulin 16 as I type. It’s 86 proof. Doesn’t need water. Ardbeg 10 is 92 proof. A drop of two of water helps that one as it’s above 90 proof. That’s the cut off to add or not add IMO. And even then it’s just a few drops.
WHY ADD WATER TO WHISKEY? The main problem with adding ice to whiskey is not that water is inherently bad for whiskey – it’s that the quantity water isn’t perfectly measured. Just a tiny drop of water can change the way your whiskey tastes, and a drop too many can ruin the flavor entirely.
When you add water to your whiskey, you are changing the flavor on a molecular level. This is literally a science, meaning it’s important to start with the tiniest of drops. The amount of water you need to add depends entirely on the whiskey you’re drinking, because each bottling has such unique properties. Molecules in different kinds of whiskeys will be at different levels of solubility, meaning that adding a small drop of water will pull different flavors out of the whiskey.
People who drink hot whiskey, for instance, will bring out more oils. This can create a bitter flavor, or even bring out grassy notes. Drops of water can neutralize that change in flavor. Changes also occur when you add ice to whiskey. Fewer molecules will evaporate from the top of your glass, owing to the lower temperature. Drops of water can rebalance that, making a flavor seem less intense even at a lower temperature.
This is getting way too precious. Adding water dilutes flavor.
I’m drinkig Lagavulin 16 as I type. It’s 86 proof. Doesn’t need water. Ardbeg 10 is 92 proof. A drop of two of water helps that one as it’s above 90 proof. That’s the cut off to add or not add IMO. And even then it’s just a few drops.
Rules and science are great guidelines in the beginning, drink it how you like
WHY ADD WATER TO WHISKEY? The main problem with adding ice to whiskey is not that water is inherently bad for whiskey – it’s that the quantity water isn’t perfectly measured. Just a tiny drop of water can change the way your whiskey tastes, and a drop too many can ruin the flavor entirely.
When you add water to your whiskey, you are changing the flavor on a molecular level. This is literally a science, meaning it’s important to start with the tiniest of drops. The amount of water you need to add depends entirely on the whiskey you’re drinking, because each bottling has such unique properties. Molecules in different kinds of whiskeys will be at different levels of solubility, meaning that adding a small drop of water will pull different flavors out of the whiskey.
People who drink hot whiskey, for instance, will bring out more oils. This can create a bitter flavor, or even bring out grassy notes. Drops of water can neutralize that change in flavor. Changes also occur when you add ice to whiskey. Fewer molecules will evaporate from the top of your glass, owing to the lower temperature. Drops of water can rebalance that, making a flavor seem less intense even at a lower temperature.
This is getting way too precious. Adding water dilutes flavor.
I’m drinkig Lagavulin 16 as I type. It’s 86 proof. Doesn’t need water. Ardbeg 10 is 92 proof. A drop of two of water helps that one as it’s above 90 proof. That’s the cut off to add or not add IMO. And even then it’s just a few drops.
Rules and science are great guidelines in the beginning, drink it how you like
Which is what I do. But generally the higher the proof the more it can hold up to a little water.
I made a manhattan tonight earlier with old grandad 117. Maybe the best one I’ve made. Higher proof holds together in the shaker and tastes god damned delicious.
WHY ADD WATER TO WHISKEY? The main problem with adding ice to whiskey is not that water is inherently bad for whiskey – it’s that the quantity water isn’t perfectly measured. Just a tiny drop of water can change the way your whiskey tastes, and a drop too many can ruin the flavor entirely.
When you add water to your whiskey, you are changing the flavor on a molecular level. This is literally a science, meaning it’s important to start with the tiniest of drops. The amount of water you need to add depends entirely on the whiskey you’re drinking, because each bottling has such unique properties. Molecules in different kinds of whiskeys will be at different levels of solubility, meaning that adding a small drop of water will pull different flavors out of the whiskey.
People who drink hot whiskey, for instance, will bring out more oils. This can create a bitter flavor, or even bring out grassy notes. Drops of water can neutralize that change in flavor. Changes also occur when you add ice to whiskey. Fewer molecules will evaporate from the top of your glass, owing to the lower temperature. Drops of water can rebalance that, making a flavor seem less intense even at a lower temperature.
This is getting way too precious. Adding water dilutes flavor.
You add a single drop of water to get different solubility oils to the surface. If you think that it tastes different because of dilution then you need to understand you don't belong in these conversations so you don't embarrass yourself in front of people you know in real life. Stick to just drinking it.
WHY ADD WATER TO WHISKEY? The main problem with adding ice to whiskey is not that water is inherently bad for whiskey – it’s that the quantity water isn’t perfectly measured. Just a tiny drop of water can change the way your whiskey tastes, and a drop too many can ruin the flavor entirely.
When you add water to your whiskey, you are changing the flavor on a molecular level. This is literally a science, meaning it’s important to start with the tiniest of drops. The amount of water you need to add depends entirely on the whiskey you’re drinking, because each bottling has such unique properties. Molecules in different kinds of whiskeys will be at different levels of solubility, meaning that adding a small drop of water will pull different flavors out of the whiskey.
People who drink hot whiskey, for instance, will bring out more oils. This can create a bitter flavor, or even bring out grassy notes. Drops of water can neutralize that change in flavor. Changes also occur when you add ice to whiskey. Fewer molecules will evaporate from the top of your glass, owing to the lower temperature. Drops of water can rebalance that, making a flavor seem less intense even at a lower temperature.
This is getting way too precious. Adding water dilutes flavor.
You add a single snowflake to get different solubility oils to the surface. If you think that it tastes different because of dilution then you need to understand you don't belong in these conversations so you don't embarrass yourself in front of people you know in real life. Stick to just drinking it.
Highlands but Speyside is a close 2nd for me. I also really like the Lagavulin. Just the right amount of peat and smoke without tasting like liquid charcoal.
I don’t think anybody could actually enjoy drinking scotch. Enjoy the feeling, etc, but it tastes like shit. Nobody can tell me it actually tastes good and they enjoy it.
If you don't like alcohol it's because you've diluted it.
Ever since posting this picture here I have been getting tons of ads for bulk ethanol. And who says targeted advertising doesn't work?
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https://www.sipdark.com/blogs/sipdark-blog/how-and-why-you-should-use-a-whiskey-water-dropper
WHY ADD WATER TO WHISKEY?
The main problem with adding ice to whiskey is not that water is inherently bad for whiskey – it’s that the quantity water isn’t perfectly measured. Just a tiny drop of water can change the way your whiskey tastes, and a drop too many can ruin the flavor entirely.
When you add water to your whiskey, you are changing the flavor on a molecular level. This is literally a science, meaning it’s important to start with the tiniest of drops. The amount of water you need to add depends entirely on the whiskey you’re drinking, because each bottling has such unique properties. Molecules in different kinds of whiskeys will be at different levels of solubility, meaning that adding a small drop of water will pull different flavors out of the whiskey.
People who drink hot whiskey, for instance, will bring out more oils. This can create a bitter flavor, or even bring out grassy notes. Drops of water can neutralize that change in flavor. Changes also occur when you add ice to whiskey. Fewer molecules will evaporate from the top of your glass, owing to the lower temperature. Drops of water can rebalance that, making a flavor seem less intense even at a lower temperature.
I made a manhattan tonight earlier with old grandad 117. Maybe the best one I’ve made. Higher proof holds together in the shaker and tastes god damned delicious.
However did learn one of the biggest emerging markets for single malt Scotch is Taiwan.
Not too bad for a 90+ proof