Thread: A splash of water in your single malt ?

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.