Water or No Water?

[scotchirish]

Anyone who never adds water . .. ever? Am enjoying Ardbeg Oogie right now (without water).

[James T]

I very rarely add water, even to a cask strength whisky and if ido it is only a few drops. Personally i feel it dilutes more flavour and character than it releases but some young cask strength whiskies need a drop or two just to tame the alcohol a little.

[Alexppp]

I never add water to anything at 40 or 43% ABV - however, higher than that it depends on the whisky. There's a lot of trial and error involved. For example, I find the Balblair 2002 (at 46% ABV) is best enjoyed with a few drops of water and letting it rest for 10 minutes or so. The Glenlivet Nadurra also works better with water for me.

I could go on but it's a case-by-case thing in my opinion. Try adding a few drops of water to your Ardbeg and see how it changes on the nose first before deciding whether to add more or not. You may well decide it works better neat but water often is important at unlocking hidden flavours.

The amount of water also depends - personally I only like a few drops when I do use it. It may be an extreme case but I hear George Grant likes his Glenfarclas 21 year-old at a ratio of 50/50 more or less!

[Big Mac]

i may add a drop of water to cask strength whisky that is 55% plus just depends on the whisky, some can take it better than others.

[Kray]

I almost never add water. As others perhaps a drop to young cask strength whisky.

[opelfruit]

No water for me....ever. I like mine "as it comes" - don't even add it to 60% + bad boys, because I'm a bloke and I'm well 'ard.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[Mr C]

[jcarrick]

No water for me, i fell you loose more than you gain adding water.

[Quaich1]

We've perused this topic in the past on the Forum. I generally do not add water to a dram and almost never to an older expression. When I do, it's only a few drops. I used to deploy a special dropper for the job and later used a fork dipped in water and then the water flicked in the scotch. Equally important to me however is the type of water that is used and what type of container it has been stored in if a bottled water. Here in Canada, the chlorine level in tap water would in my opinion taint the taste of the scotch. Also, bottled waters in certain types of plastic containers tend to yield an "off taste" to the scotch, again based upon what is available in the shops here. The spring water that works best for me is called Fiji water and comes from that South Pacific Island. It is a brand which is sold almost everywhere here in Canada and was recommended to me by a real scotch expert and connoisseur. Over the years, a number of other scotch aficionados have mentioned this brand of bottled water. More info:
http://www.fijiwater.com/
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[scotchirish]

[sorren]

I'm no fan of adding water either, I only ever add when at a tasting just to see any differences, I'm well ard too

[opelfruit]

[5-12-1908]

I must admit, I sometimes add a little filter water from my tap. Around a desert spoon full....ok, ok, its much bigger than a normal short.

But it doesnt change the taste for me because I can actually taste it better.

But then I'm a connoisseur.....or a pig and happily have it both ways (no innuendos or cheek please)

[sorren]

O no your not I'much ardererererrr than yaw ..
I drink it neat straight from the bottle after biting the bottle neck off ..
And I don't even use the water to clean the bottle first.. and just so you know I never clean my glass either ..

[opelfruit]