Cigar Weekly

Mad Dawg · 01-09-2019, 05:47 PM

I had always heard that a touch - as in a few drops - of good water would "open up" the flavors of a good whisky. Since I'm mostly a bourbon guy and I actually like my bourbon neat, I never tried adding water to my whisky.

Until tonight.

I begin to understand.

Being ever an experimentalist, I poured a wee dram of the Balvenie Triple Cask I brought back from my last London trip. Swirl-sniff-swirl-sniff...savored the aromas before taking a sip...rolled it around in my mouth to coat my tongue, inhaled through my mouth then exhaled through my nose, really reaching for the flavor nuances before swallowing.

Then I added a half-dozen drops of clean well water (excellent, no chlorine), swirled to mix well, and repeated. Aromas and flavors both intensified. New essences in the mix...subtle spice notes that I had not gotten before while the earthy, honeyed notes deepened, the changes in the nose especially prominent.

As I type this out, I can hear jazznut laughing. "Took ya long enough, ya idjit!

" Yep...no denying that.

Clearly, more experiments are called for.

jazznut · 01-10-2019, 05:34 AM

Adding water to whisky can be a good thing, as I explained in THIS article a while back.

It all depends on the whisky and on one's preferences at the moment of tasting.

Glad you're enjoying that Balvenie, Doug.

gumby · 01-10-2019, 06:41 PM

Welcome to Scotches! It’s a whole new world.

BigJohn · 01-11-2019, 06:47 AM

love that article! Look for it to be shared out on Twitter tonight, Facebook and instagram next week...

01-09-2019, 05:47 PM	#1
Mad Dawg Administrator Herf Dog Herf God Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 34,199	Scotch whisky epiphany I had always heard that a touch - as in a few drops - of good water would "open up" the flavors of a good whisky. Since I'm mostly a bourbon guy and I actually like my bourbon neat, I never tried adding water to my whisky. Until tonight. I begin to understand. Being ever an experimentalist, I poured a wee dram of the Balvenie Triple Cask I brought back from my last London trip. Swirl-sniff-swirl-sniff...savored the aromas before taking a sip...rolled it around in my mouth to coat my tongue, inhaled through my mouth then exhaled through my nose, really reaching for the flavor nuances before swallowing. Then I added a half-dozen drops of clean well water (excellent, no chlorine), swirled to mix well, and repeated. Aromas and flavors both intensified. New essences in the mix...subtle spice notes that I had not gotten before while the earthy, honeyed notes deepened, the changes in the nose especially prominent. As I type this out, I can hear jazznut laughing. "Took ya long enough, ya idjit! " Yep...no denying that. Clearly, more experiments are called for. __________________ Gone, But Never Forgotten. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ That which does not kill me....has made a grave tactical error.

01-10-2019, 05:34 AM	#2
jazznut Managing Editor Emeritus Herf God Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 26,082	Adding water to whisky can be a good thing, as I explained in THIS article a while back. It all depends on the whisky and on one's preferences at the moment of tasting. Glad you're enjoying that Balvenie, Doug. __________________ My whisky adventure began at the age of nine. Good things DO take time!

01-10-2019, 06:41 PM	#3
gumby Contributing Editor MOM November 2012 Emeritus Honorary MOM November 2021 Herf God Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 47,284	Welcome to Scotches! It’s a whole new world. __________________ I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

01-11-2019, 06:47 AM	#4
BigJohn Chief Geek, @cigarweekly Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta (north burbs - Woodsto Posts: 14,174	love that article! Look for it to be shared out on Twitter tonight, Facebook and instagram next week... __________________ Government breaks our legs, then hands us a pair of crutches and says, "You see? If it wasn't for us you wouldn't be able to walk.".... Aren't we so lucky!? Need a website? Get one from a BOTL - > PM me! *"I swear by my life, and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."* Help support the CigarWeekly webhost (me!) > Shop online? Start HERE: direct to Amazon.com Protect your computer from VIRUSES > Get Avast!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For all of our CW Scotch whisky fans...	jazznut	I'll Drink to That!	11	04-22-2008 09:12 PM
new to scotch and whisky	smokin7	I'll Drink to That!	5	01-22-2004 05:59 PM
Scotch Whisky	ilgallo	I'll Drink to That!	2	01-21-2002 08:14 AM