# Scotch/Bourbon/Whiskey drinkers: Are you supposed to add a drop of water to the drink? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 22, 2011, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173 "2011-09-22T06:59:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/21 "2011-09-22T12:54:43Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > You only drink whisky with ice if you want to numb all taste and smell receptors. …and confine all those aromas to the bottom of the glass so they can’t escape and make their way up into your nose. > [@Floater](#): > > You add as much (or little) water as is needed drop by drop. Some people use a teaspoon to measure, but a bartender once taught me to use a drinking straw as a pipette. It works perfectly. My personal rule of thumb is “somewhere just below 40% alcohol in the glass”. But I always add the water in small splashes until it tastes right for me and my current mood. A standard whisky usually needs just a small splash to a standard dram, the cask strengths are normally cut so much that I can see that they’ve been significantly diluted. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/22 "2011-09-22T15:08:58Z")
I spent a few months working up at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Scotland near Oban, and that’s where I learned to appreciate Scotch whiskey. Before then, I was not a whiskey drinker at all. Anyhow, I was taught to take it with just a tiny splash of water (maybe a few drops), so that habit’s become kind of engrained in me. Usually, what I’ll do is ask for whiskey with a glass of water on the side, if I’m ordering at a bar, so I can add the water myself. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/23 "2011-09-22T15:13:36Z")
Water absolutely opens the drink up, and changes the taste of the Scotch. When ordering in a bar, I’ll often ask that they put a single small ice cube into it. ---
**Author:** ![Astral\_Rejection](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@Astral\_Rejection](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astral_Rejection)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/24 "2011-09-22T15:13:44Z")
I’m reiterating a bit of what others said, but there are two answers, depending on your answer to this question: Are you drinking for pleasure, or appreciation? If the answer is pleasure, drink it anyway you like. Ice, water, straight, mixed… you can’t go wrong. It’s what you like! You’re drinking for you, so you’re the expert here. If you’re looking for appreciation, a few drops of water is where to start. Water “opens up” the whisky… many of the flavors are trapped, so to speak, and water breaks down the “trap” and releases aroma and flavor. This is true of every whisky, at every level. If you gave a bottle handy, pour a glass and sniff it. Then drop in a few drops of water and sniff it again. You’ll be amazed at the difference. (Pro-tip, by the way: don’t swirl your scotch. The alcohol will evaporate quicker and overpower the nose and flavor) How much water? Depends on the drink. Cask strength might need more water than regular scotch. Start small and add more. If you stick with it, you’ll start to develop some good instincts on how much water to add to make it tasty for you! ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/25 "2011-09-22T15:19:08Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I spent a few months working up at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Scotland near Oban, and that’s where I learned to appreciate Scotch whiskey. Before then, I was not a whiskey drinker at all. Anyhow, I was taught to take it with just a tiny splash of water (maybe a few drops), so that habit’s become kind of engrained in me. Usually, what I’ll do is ask for whiskey with a glass of water on the side, if I’m ordering at a bar, so I can add the water myself. Nitpick: I doubt they’d have served scotch whiskey in Oban… whisky possibly (without the “e”) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/26 "2011-09-22T15:22:02Z")
I usually roll with about a couple of teaspoons to start, bourbon or scotch. Whether or not I add more depends on the proof and the intensity of the spirit. Something like say… Maker’s Mark is 80 proof and relatively mild, needing less water compared to say… Noah’s Mill at 100 or so proof and more intense. Dilution lessens the intensity, allowing your tongue and nose to “concentrate” a little better on what it’s getting, instead of just being overwhelmed by really strong whiskey flavors and aromas. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/27 "2011-09-22T15:28:45Z")
> [@Wallenstein](#): > > Nitpick: I doubt they’d have served scotch whiskey in Oban… whisky possibly (without the “e”) 😉 Dammit, I did mean _whisky_. I knew that. :smack: ETA: But, in my defense, I was talking about whiskey in general for my other whiskey references. Seems kind of silly in a discussion about whiskey to have to talk about “whisky” and “whiskey,” depending on where it hails from. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/28 "2011-09-22T16:18:13Z")
Whatever floats your boat. Personally, water in any form or volume does not improve the taste of the single malts, even cask strength, or the two whiskeys I drink. I’ve tried it and respect the opinions and preferences of those that employ it, but I absolutely only take mine neat. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/29 "2011-09-22T16:28:39Z")
There really is a difference, IMO, between single malts without a bit of water and with the water. I’ve gone to several whiskey tastings and they have always recommended to add a bit of water. I do it anyways because I’m still not totally used to the burn (which also numbs you and makes it harder to taste). ---
**Author:** ![Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky_the_Wonder_Spirit)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/30 "2011-09-22T16:31:53Z")
I’m not a serious whiskey drinker - I like drinking my whiskey or bourbon with ice. When I’m not mixing it in with ginger ale. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/31 "2011-09-22T16:35:16Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Water absolutely opens the drink up, and changes the taste of the Scotch. When ordering in a bar, I’ll often ask that they put a single small ice cube into it. I drink my single-malts neat pretty often, but sometimes I switch it up and do this. A single small icecube won’t chill your drink nearly enough to numb tastebuds, and I like the way the flavor changes as the water/scotch ratio changes. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/32 "2011-09-22T16:54:11Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I know that there is at least one Islay scotch that recommends adding a very small bit of water. IIRC, the advice was on a little foldout attached to the bottle neck. I am drawing a blank on the name tho. Laphroaig? I have a bottle of Laphroaig [Triple Wood](http://www.laphroaig.com/whiskies/triple-wood.aspx) right here, and it says on the bottle: “Please note that since Laphroaig Triple Wood is non-chill filtered it may go cloudy in the glass when water is added. This is perfectly normal for a non-chill filtered whisky”. So clearly the distillers are amenable to water being added. See also the tasting notes on Laphroaig’s own website: > [@](#): > > PALATE: With no water, a large initial burst of peat belies the slight lack on the nose but is gentled on the tongue by the creamier flavours of vanilla and fruit with just a suggestion of sherry sweetness. With a trace of water the peat reek is gentled, allowing the more complex flavours of citrus fruits and spices to come through. A slight tang comes from the European Oak balancing the creamier American White Oak. I never used to add water to Scotch, having being told by a snobby relative that it was sacrilege. Then I decided I’d see for myself, and found it greatly improved the flavour in many cases. Now I’ll add up to about a third water (plain tap water), but generally less. And never ice! (But again, that’s just my taste, YMaltMV) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/33 "2011-09-22T17:05:47Z")
I like boubons, ryes, and some single malts. There is an iron clad rule regarding how one consume’s a drink: “an alcoholic beverage is meant to be enjoyed, anything you add to it to increase your enjoment is acceptable.” Please note there are no waivers to this policy. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/34 "2011-09-22T17:07:09Z")
Yet another vote for the cromulence of adding a small nip of water, this on the advice of our local distillery (England’s only one, which I live within a determined walk of). I don’t always follow his advice, but the observations above about the positive impact are quite true. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/35 "2011-09-22T17:07:30Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > I never used to add water to Scotch, having being told by a snobby relative that it was sacrilege. Not a very well-informed snob, is he? I confess, I’ve always felt a little self-conscious and snobbish at most bars asking for a whisky, neat with “just a splash of water,” which is part of the reason I order the water on the side. (Also, to control the exact amount of water I want.) ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/36 "2011-09-22T17:20:16Z")
I was always skeptical that adding water could “open up” a whiskey beyond reducing the burn on the tongue. But it seems that science supports the idea; [more happens than just dilution](http://blog.khymos.org/2007/06/03/new-perspectives-on-whisky-and-water/). > [@](#): > > But studies have shown that when an aqueous solution contains more than 20% ethanol, the ethanol molecules aggregate to form micelles, just like the long chain esters do. These micelles can also trap flavour compounds. Unlike the micelles formed by the long chain esters however, the ethanol micelles break up when diluting the whisky, thus releaseing the entrapped flavour compounds. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/37 "2011-09-22T18:15:36Z")
That’s why I chew every sip. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/38 "2011-09-22T18:48:19Z")
I was always a “water in single malt? Are you HIGH?!” gal, but then a couple of years ago, at the Longs Peak Scottish Festival, I asked one of the vendors at one of scotch tents what was up with that. He took me and my SO aside, and let both of us taste three or four different small sips of various single malts, first without a few drops of water and then with a few. I was pretty amazed at the difference - for some of them, the water opened up the flavor quite a bit, for others, not so much, and for some, the flavor change was not to my liking. So, when I have a scotch with which I’m unfamiliar, I’ll experiment. The ones with which I am familiar, I already know whether or not I like to add water. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/39 "2011-09-22T19:51:44Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Laphroaig? Yeah, that is it. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173/40 "2011-09-22T20:24:38Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Not a very well-informed snob, is he? No, but he’s far from alone. I think it might stem from a macho “real men don’t water down their liquor” mentality… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-bourbon-whiskey-drinkers-are-you-supposed-to-add-a-drop-of-water-to-the-drink/597173.md?page=3)