Quote:
Originally Posted by Jims5543
Friends do not let friends freeze whiskey / scotch so it cannot be tasted.
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I am trying to help a good guy here, Bryon is good people, I used to be a iced Whiskey drinker then started to explore aged whiskeys and scotch and understood the need to tone down the ice and taste the whiskey / scotch.
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Oh, I'm right with you Jim. I was taught by my father to drink the likes of Scotch and Cognac neat. Warming the glass in your hand, especially with Cognac in a balloon glass, helps to intensify the aromas. I find with some whisk(e)y a drop or two (literally) of water can also help pick out some of the aromas and mask others. When I'm serious about sampling something for the first time, I'll add water drop by drop resting the glass in between. Time also changes the character, so a neat glass alongside a second glass with the water added helps. I can happily spend an hour on a single tasting.
Ice will mute the experience significantly. It's the equivalent of listening to a concert orchestra when you're wearing hearing protectors.
In the interests of trying to help Byron it's fair enough, definitely try it WITHOUT the ice. Take your time, don't rush it, and give the spirit the opportunity to open up in the glass over at least half an hour or so.