Single Malt Scotch: with or without water?

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: silverpig
I don't put water in my scotch unless it's cask strength... *shrug*

Read the first hit on Google, eh?

Huh?

 

[PricklyPete]

A dab (literally a drop) of water is appropriate if you do not like it straight. First try it straight by sipping it and keeping it on your tongue for a minimum of 15 seconds. If you don't like it that way, put a drop of water in and try it again.

Generally I prefer most good scotch straight...but I always try it both ways just to see how I like the particular scotch each way.

I'm currently working through a 21 y/o bottle of Glengoyne...I really like it a lot. Very smooth and clean vs. peaty/smokey. The 21 y/o is significantly better than the 17 y/o after tasting both of them.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Water in scotch...travesty.

Master tasters and master distillers would disagree.

I understand that, and I disagree with them. Anything added cuts the natural flavor, and that's a travesty.

That's cool, whatever you like. It's to enjoy. I've had some that tastes like I'm sucking on peat.

Yeah, Laphroaig comes to mind for that.

Anyway, I always add water. If I wanted the alcohol to overwhelm the more subtle flavors, I'd have opted for cheap vodka. To each his own, I cant stand when snobs go nuts over adding water to scotch. Hell, everyone I've met from the damn place does it.

The older the scotch/whiskey, the less alcohol is actually in the drink. A drop of water breaks up the "oiliness" of the Scotch and brings out some different (not necessarily better) flavors. Any more than a drop starts diluting it for me. As I said before...I like to try it both ways...straight and with a touch of water...and see what I like better before I do any serious drinking of a bottle.

 

[Alyx]

So where does one learn to drink whiskey? I still can hardly handle the stuff, did most of you like it first time or gained a taste? I've been trying to learn to drink it, and I've made a lot of progress but not able to enjoy it straight (without a cigar for a chaser). My roommate on the other hand doesn't drink at all and has loved all whiskey I've had him try...


(now Gin is another story, I love the stuff)

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Alyx
So where does one learn to drink whiskey? I still can hardly handle the stuff, did most of you like it first time or gained a taste? I've been trying to learn to drink it, and I've made a lot of progress but not able to enjoy it straight (without a cigar for a chaser). My roommate on the other hand doesn't drink at all and has loved all whiskey I've had him try...


(now Gin is another story, I love the stuff)

Go here....

http://www.waldhaus-am-see.ch/was/home/

Besides St. Moritz being amazing beautiful both in the winter and the summer, this hotel with a prominent position on the lake as a little gem inside. It contains a small whiskey bar that is in the Guinness Book of World records for the most variations of whiskey with over 2500 different kinds. It isn't cheap...but it is a great place to go with a bunch of friends each buying a round (and taste testing a number along the way). I've been there several times now and really have found a lot of great whiskey's that I like.