Question for the Scotch and Bourbon connoisseurs....

[excane]

Do you prefer it neat or with a drop of water?

I have always drank scotch and bourbon straight up but recently tried to see what the fuss is all about when people told me a splash of spring water really brings out the flavor and aroma....I ain't feeling it. I still prefer it straight.

What says you?

[fitbass3p]

There are some brands that I feel taste better neat, and some that taste better splashed with water. Nothing ever has to be so black and white

There are some very "complicated" scotches that I don't think you can fully decipher until you've had them both ways, though.

[JimB52]

I prefer blended whiskeys with a splash of soda.
Single malts and high quality spirits i drink neat.

[excane]

Originally Posted by fitbass3p

There are some brands that I feel taste better neat, and some that taste better splashed with water. Nothing ever has to be so black and white

There are some very "complicated" scotches that I don't think you can fully decipher until you've had them both ways, though.

Lagavulin and Laphroaig come to mind....are these a few you're referring to? The Islay malts are an acquired taste for sure.

Originally Posted by JimB52

I prefer blended whiskeys with a splash of soda.
Single malts and high quality spirits i drink neat.

I really, really dislike blended scotches of any kind so it's always single malts for me.

[JimB52]

I guess that's a good reason to add a splash to the blends.

[Baryonyx]

Some work best without, some go well with water. I tend to use water from my filtration tap (for winemaking) made into ice cubes.

[XtreO]

The whiskey I drink is usually consumed with the intention of getting wasted, and is most often mixed with sparkling water and drop of lemon or some lemonflavoured sugar soda. However the few times I've had whiskey for the purpose of drinking because it's so tasty, I've added a few drops of water. Some guy told me it was good, and when I tried it, it really was.

[jumbosilverette]

Neat. I've yet to try the water method. My reasoning is that if the distiller didn't do it, why should I? If it's a blend, I'd be less likely to add water as that would make the individual components less definable. And I guess I wouldn't tamper with a single malt, unless I just didn't care for it.

[fitbass3p]

Originally Posted by jumbosilverette

My reasoning is that if the distiller didn't do it, why should I?

For almost all major brands of scotch that make it to the US, this statement is incorrect. Some processing happens after it is removed from the cask in order to ensure consistency of quality. Also, scotch doesn't magically come out of the cask at 40, or 43% alcohol...

[katri]

Originally Posted by JimB52

I prefer blended whiskeys with a splash of soda.
Single malts and high quality spirits i drink neat.

This guy is right.

[katri]

What scotch are you drinking??

[edbutler3]

When drinking single malt scotch I often add a couple drops of water because the experts say that it "opens up" the flavor and the aromas. However, I'm afraid my palate is not sensitive enough to really notice the supposed benefits. In fact, the only times I've noticed much of a change, it was a negative effect of making the whiskey seem "watered down", probably because I slipped and added more than a couple drops.

My advice would be to try it both ways yourself and see if you can tell a difference. Start with it neat, taste it that way, then add a few drops of water and try it again. The next time I'm in the mood for scotch, I may have to compare two glasses -- one with the water and the other neat -- and see if I can detect the difference. I guess that's the only way to be sure.

[Jared Lash]

At home, I drink it neat.

But lately at bars/clubs/restaurants I get rusty nails.

Then again, I like scotch a lot but I'm far from a snob/connoisseur.

[mothmonsterman]

It really depends on the scotch.

Often times with bourbon I go the highball route with soda water
I'll have to try the few splashes method.

[Stanley Design]

I drink them both straight.

You don't buy music unmastered and choose what the levels are yourself. You trust that the person who made it found the mix that represents what they wanted it to be.

It goes the same for whiskey, they cut it down as much as they like and I drink it.

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by Stanley Design

You don't buy music unmastered and choose what the levels are yourself. You trust that the person who made it found the mix that represents what they wanted it to be.

Have you heard Vapor Trails?

[lousybassplayer]

I have always prefered my single malts neat at room temp and my bourbon over a little ice. That being said, the official nosing and tasting guide from Balvenie distillery that I got witha bottle said the proper way to taste was with a small amount of water. In many high end scotch bars they are actually importing water from the various distilleries to match with its respective scotch. Seems out there for me.

[Jefenator]

I started on Scotch with water. Then I tried ordering some good stuff & my bartender buddy refused to water it down. That shamed me so good, I've been mostly "neat" since. But now you've got me thinking. I might experiment with a splash or ice, see how I like it.

When I'm camping in the desert, smoking a cigar, watching the sun set, I think I'll stick to neat, from the hip flask.

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by lousybassplayer

In many high end scotch bars they are actually importing water from the various distilleries to match with its respective scotch. Seems out there for me.

yes, this is not uncommon practice, perhaps a little easier in the UK where it's closer to some of the Scottish distilleries. If you try the water, you will notice it has a specific taste, be it peat, lavender, whatever!

[Godbody]

I usually enjoy my scotch amd whiskeys on the rocks


DISCLAIMER: the following statement is from a man who gladly drinks Old Thompson and Guckenheimer, and thinks Kessler is pretty good swill.