Learning to drink whiskey.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I started with the Jack & Coke route, then over time reduced the amount of Coke. Now I drink it straight on the rocks, I have the ice balls at home and like that approach. I like it at least chilled from the ice, neat at room temperature makes it harsh in my opinion. I’m also not much on adding water to a whiskey neat.

I typically drink bourbon, the usual suspects are Woodford, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses small batch, Elijah Craig small batch, and Whistlepig if I want to splurge. I’m a little ignorant of scotch, I need to try more options and learn more about it. A Scotch tour of Scotland is on my bucket list.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Then you haven't tried Woodford Reserve out of the freezer.

I do need to get something for myself for Christmas.

[Superman]

A splash of water does indeed unlock the flavors of a whisky.

[RWebb]

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-06423-5

see - chemistry is important

[MBAtarga]

I was at the American Craft Council show about 2 years ago here in Atlanta.
There was a large booth set up by Macallan and offering tastings. I drink The Macallan (12 yr usually) fairly regularly - that is - I don't run out! Anyway, they had these glass eye droppers with small bottles of distilled water that allowed one to do a tasting neat, and then another tasting with just 2 or 3 drops of distilled water. It really did make a difference. Later that day - the show was about over - and I dropped by the booth again - and asked one of the young gals if I could perhaps liberate them of an eye dropper and glass. It's since been added to my bar tool supply.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

I was at the American Craft Council show about 2 years ago here in Atlanta.
There was a large booth set up by Macallan and offering tastings. I drink The Macallan (12 yr usually) fairly regularly - that is - I don't run out! Anyway, they had these glass eye droppers with small bottles of distilled water that allowed one to do a tasting neat, and then another tasting with just 2 or 3 drops of distilled water. It really did make a difference. Later that day - the show was about over - and I dropped by the booth again - and asked one of the young gals if I could perhaps liberate them of an eye dropper and glass. It's since been added to my bar tool supply.

That’s funny, I did a whiskey and scotch tasting party at a test pilot friend of mine’s house several years ago. He’s a big Scotch guy and had been stationed in Scotland. He did the exact same thing with the dropper and distilled water.

[Racerbvd]

We brew our own.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Byron’s making the shine!

[SCadaddle]

Once upon a time in my college days, I:

1) Gave up bourbon and coke completely as it burned too much coming out of my nose....and

2) Gave up drinking scotch (even though it WAS the only bottle of liquor in the house that my roommates would NOT touch) the same night I gave up eating fried pickles.

Don't miss any of it one bit.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Just pull the cork, put the bottle to your lips, tilt it up, and take a huge swallow!

What? You don't want that warm ass glow? You don't want to feel like you're brilliant?

Sheesh! Afterwards, be sure to take your Porsche on a fast canyon run.

Yeah! Be a MAN! Be THE man!

My Maserati does 185 now i dont drive

[NY65912]

A few years ago I took a class on whiskey at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC.

They has reps from the big liquor distributors as speakers. They all said that a little water added opened up the flavor of the spirits. We sampled about 30 different brands of whiskeys and indeed adding the water helped the flavor pop. They said the taste is hidden by the burn. BTW of all the whiskeys sampled I kept going back to bourbon. When I drink an unmixed bourbon I always add water.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by vash

YouTube. Cute Scottish bartender explained perfectly the merits of adding water. It calms down the harsh booziness and you can taste it - the differences.

Picked up a local bourbon.

Caramel, leather, tobacco...I can taste it.

Not a fan of Scotch but I'd watch the video of the cute Scottish bartender.

You know, if you posted it.

[vash]

Originally Posted by javadog

Not a fan of Scotch but I'd watch the video of the cute Scottish bartender.

You know, if you posted it.

ipads are not embed friendly..but here, since i am at work.

[javadog]

I need to move to Scotland.

[arcsine]

For me if its a single malt, then a Glencairn glass and a couple stones right out of the freezer.
For bourbon, a splash of water or a single ice cube. Same for cask strength single malts. A friend was able to get some glacial ice which was even more lovely (and pretentious) but it is our way.

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by vash

ipads are not embed friendly..but here, since i am at work.

To embed from an ipad: use the .com rather than the ap. Once on the site set to dekstop mode. Then you can get the embed code by using the share button like on a pc.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by javadog

I need to move to Scotland.

did ya get hooked by the nose ring?

[javadog]

No, she doesn’t wear that in all of her videos, so I can maintain the illusion. She also apparently now lives in Melbourne Australia, so I may have to go back there for a visit.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by arcsine

For me if its a single malt, then a Glencairn glass and a couple stones right out of the freezer.
For bourbon, a splash of water or a single ice cube. Same for cask strength single malts. A friend was able to get some glacial ice which was even more lovely (and pretentious) but it is our way.

Well, if you think adding small quantities of water makes a difference- wait till the glass wanking starts.....

Pictured above is the Reidel whisky glass, and you can see its quite different from the traditional tumbler- which are usually offered by the makers as well when they offer branded glasses. At risk of guffaws, glasses make a huge difference to your whiskys. My personal fave tho is the cheap standard ISO wine tasting glass. I prefer these to the expensive Riedels.

If you this is wankery, I do understand, however its easily tested. Into your favourite tumbler style glass, pour yourself a favourite whisky, add water, ice whatever to taste.

Taste. Pause. Reflect.

Pour the contents of your glass into a Reidel whisky glass or ISO glass. Repeat.

I think you will be surprised.

Wait till we start on wine glasses.....

[vash]

Originally Posted by javadog

No, she doesn’t wear that in all of her videos, so I can maintain the illusion. She also apparently now lives in Melbourne Australia, so I may have to go back there for a visit.

Haha. She is adorable. Her mannerisms are intoxicating. I love her vids.