Thread: A splash of water in your single malt ?

Same - I add a few drops of water. When I am at a bar, I prefer to do it myself, as the bartender tends to add too much.

When I worked in a bar, if someone asked for a Scotch, I'd make a point of asking them how they wanted it. For ice, I'd show them the amount of ice before pouring the scotch and check that it was the right amount for their tastes. For those who said with water, I put some of our filtered water from the soda gun into a small ceramic jug that we used for those who asked for milk on the side with their cup of coffee. That way the drinker could add as much or as little water to their scotch as they wished, and not have to instruct me as to how much they wanted.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I think with Scotch, it's easiest to start with a Highland.....Old Pultney...

Old Pultney -- GREAT stuff... almost has a sweetness to it. I wouldn't add any water to this one, it's just fine neat.

Some of the stronger single malts -- for example Laphroaig (Islay) -- are greatly influenced by a couple drops of water. Some guys said "thimble"... I'd agree that's a good measurement.

Also, for blends, I like them on the rocks. Fill the glass with ice and pour JW Black liberally. That's my "every day" setup (no, I don't have it every day).

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Any ideas of a smooth entry level Scotch that I could drink with a splash of water and enjoy sipping? Maybe an Irish whiskey would work better for me?

Thanks guys. Sorry if I derailed this a bit.

Chris L

Chris,
I find water tends to do more for blends than single malts because it seems to allow the different flavors be more individually distinguishable. So it's easier to discover what flavors you like/dislike and can then choose better in the future.

Your entry level scotches are mostly blends. If you begin to like them then you can move up to single malts and more complex blends. So for starters, I would suggest Dewars' or cutty sark as good jumping off points.


Cheers and best of luck!

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Any ideas of a smooth entry level Scotch that I could drink with a splash of water and enjoy sipping? Maybe an Irish whiskey would work better for me?

Thanks guys. Sorry if I derailed this a bit.

Chris L

Try and get your hands on a bottle of Dalwhinnie....I believe it to be the door that will open the world of SMS to you

Originally Posted by Oglethorpe

Old Pultney -- GREAT stuff... almost has a sweetness to it. I wouldn't add any water to this one, it's just fine neat.

To me it has a salty taste, maybe from the salt air of the location where its made or maybe from the barrels - sometimes they are soaked in seawater or have been reclaimed after being washed up from ships (mostly sherry casks)

Originally Posted by Oglethorpe

Some of the stronger single malts -- for example Laphroaig (Islay) -- are greatly influenced by a couple drops of water. Some guys said "thimble"... I'd agree that's a good measurement.

At the risk of contradicting myself, sometimes a tiny drop of water holds the fire back a bit, enough for the full flavour to come out

Originally Posted by Oglethorpe

Also, for blends, I like them on the rocks. Fill the glass with ice and pour JW Black liberally. That's my "every day" setup (no, I don't have it every day).

If you ever saw what goes into Bells you'd be horrified and cry sacrilege.
I've been to the Blair Athol distillery (where I was introduced to Caol Ila by the tour guide)
About 80% of their production goes into Bells and they show what other whiskys go into it as well.. (that's the point at which you cry). If you are ever lucky enough to go there, Edradour is only round the corner and is Scotland's smallest distillery - they produce the House of Lords blend which is only found there and at the House of Lords. A very pretty place to visit.

Originally Posted by Sly712

Try and get your hands on a bottle of Dalwhinnie....I believe it to be the door that will open the world of SMS to you

The highest distillery, they mature their casks outside and for longer due to the cold climate. When the weather gets too bad they pull barriers across the road as it becomes impassable. This is actually my favourite whisky even though I tend towards the stronger peaty Islay ones.

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Any ideas of a smooth entry level Scotch that I could drink with a splash of water and enjoy sipping? Maybe an Irish whiskey would work better for me?

Thanks guys. Sorry if I derailed this a bit.

Chris L

You might want to try The Macallan 12yr., it is a nice single malt that is not too expensive as far as single malts go. The Macallan 10 yr. is also a nice one to try. The cost for the 12yr. in my area is around $40.00. There is a good site that has a lot of information called the Scotch Hunter Scotch Hunter : A Guide To Single Malt Scotch : The Best Single Malt Scotch Site : Single Malt Scotch Tasting Notes : Scotch Nosing and Tasting Tips : Our Favorite Single Malt Scotch? They have a tasting section that I find helpful when I want to try something new.

As far as adding a splash of water, it depends on the scotch. I generally prefer it neat or with one or two small ice cubes. If the single malt is too smokey for my taste, I will add a splash of water or a little more ice.

At home, I drink single malt with a bit of water. I think it smooths the flavor, how ever, I do not like warm scotch.

Blended, I drink with coke or on the rocks. I quite like a long drink if I'm out or watching the telly some times and coke works out for that. Otherwise I drink like a fish.

I have to say though, I do like my whiskey on the rocks. I know people say it dulls the flovor, but I would argue it just highlights different flavors. I would like some of those proper granite rocks, that would be cool.

Seems to me like a highly personal and spirit-dependent thing. I tend to like scotch just the way it comes from the bottle (although having said that I should point out that I steer clear of the more peet-laden single malts). Highland though... straight all the way for me. For Bourbon on the other hand I find that a single ice cube really brings out the flavor in a way that is hard to describe.

I guess it requires experimentation. Tough work you know but it simply has to be done!

For a cask strength whiskey, I add a splash of water. Otherwise its neat for me.