ATTN: whisky (or whiskey) drinkers.

[Kai]

Whats the best ratio for mixing whiskywater?

I've been doing it about 1:1, but I haven't increased it because I don't want to dilute it too much.

[Suu]

May I ask why you are making whiskey water? Typically it would be a "splash" of water over a shot of whiskey. I can't just tell you how much a splash it, it's just...well, it's about that much, but it's more than a dash.

[Payne]

Yeah, a decent splash. Or one or two little glugs.

NO MORE.

Also needs to be only slightly below room temp, don't put ice anywhere near that shit.

RINSE AND REPEAT UNTIL YOU GET ALL IRISH/SCOTTISH AT THE IMPERIALIST OPPRESSORS!

I HAVE SPOKEN

[Payne]

Alternatively, drink it neat if it's one of those plain bottles that just have WHISKEY written on them. This way also leads to Holiness^TM

[Cain]

I've never done it, but if I did, it would be significantly less than 1:1 ratio.  Like, maybe 4 parts whiskey to one part water, at the most.

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Yeah, a decent splash. Or one or two little glugs.

NO MORE.

Also needs to be only slightly below room temp, don't put ice anywhere near that shit.

RINSE AND REPEAT UNTIL YOU GET ALL IRISH/SCOTTISH AT THE IMPERIALIST OPPRESSORS!

I HAVE SPOKEN

This is the only proper way to drink whiskey.

Alternatively, drink it neat if it's one of those plain bottles that just have WHISKEY written on them. This way also leads to Holiness^TM

This is also true. Extra Holiness for whiskey that comes in plastic bottles.

[Triple Zero]

My brother, who travelled far to the lands of Scotland and Ireland to learn many secrets about Whiskey, told me that some whiskeys may need about a teaspoon of water in it to "unlock the flavour" or something.

You know what may also be a nice idea, to get a plain whiskey and a glass of water. Then you can just take a sip and dilute it in your mouth to the preferred strength?

[East Coast Hustle]

Never more than a little splash.

If it's good single malt, never any at all.

[Suu]

Never more than a little splash.

If it's good single malt, never any at all.

This.

[Payne]

Never more than a little splash.

If it's good single malt, never any at all.

This.

Well it depends on who you ask, in many whiskeys (even the good ones) a splash of water is needed to open up the full taste of it.

However too much water is a mortal sin, and it is better to have none at all than too much.

[Suu]

I would only recommend a drop or two of cold water to open a whiskey. But no ice, ever.

[Kai]

May I ask why you are making whiskey water? Typically it would be a "splash" of water over a shot of whiskey. I can't just tell you how much a splash it, it's just...well, it's about that much, but it's more than a dash.

Making whiskey water because I can't taste the flavors if I take it straight, the alcohol burn is just too strong, and I've noticed the experience is much improved when I add water.

So thank you all. I shall ne'er add more than a splash, and never ice. I've been putting in cool, not cold, water. From the tap, because the tap water is excellent up here.

[East Coast Hustle]

Of course, these "rules" are really just guidelines. Ultimately you should feel free to experiment and find out what makes it most enjoyable for you.

[Kai]

Of course, these "rules" are really just guidelines. Ultimately you should feel free to experiment and find out what makes it most enjoyable for you.

Yeah, that's my take on it too. For example, most people would say serve beer ice cold, but I only do that for lagers these days (and I seldom drink lagers; most North American lagers are shit). Ales, especially dark ales like porters and stouts, I like to cool down to 50 degrees, but not much colder. Too cold, and the flavors are dulled, and if I can't taste them what's the point of drinking a rich stout?

[East Coast Hustle]

Reminds me of that old joke (that's not really a joke):


You know why the Brits like their beer warm?



Because the same people that make their cars make their refrigerators.




By the way, there are several excellent american lagers (though they may not be available where you are). Sessions is awesome, and New Belgium brewery out of Colorado (they make fat tire) makes a kickass lager as well. It's taken an unreasonably long time for lagers to make inroads in the american microbrew market but it's finally happening.