# What's the enjoyment of drinking strong spirits? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [November 26, 2021, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990 "2021-11-26T21:32:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/1 "2021-11-26T21:32:15Z")
As someone who only drinks seldomly (and generally only things like a bit of grape wine or fruit schnapps), I have seen videos of people downing a shot of this or that liquor, such as super-strong _gaoliang_ (Chinese,) often grimacing in pain (“_ugh, that **burns** _”) and am trying to understand the reason behind it. If you want to get alcohol into your system, why not do it by drinking a beverage that tastes or feels a lot more pleasant, such as wine, beer, etc.? The people I watched in those videos seemed to enjoy their shots no more than someone taking their medicine. Is it about getting as much alcohol into the body in as short a time as possible? ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/2 "2021-11-26T21:53:34Z")
In those cases, it’s as much about the process as the effect. A shared experience. Oftentimes, there’s a contest involved, something like an unspoken wager (not usually for stakes) that the drinker can’t handle it. In either case, the drinker is expected to show that while it was hard, they could indeed handle it. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/3 "2021-11-26T22:17:37Z")
I enjoy a good whisky or a rum and some really good tequilas too. But there are some cheaper spirits that are horrific. And while I do like tequila, I cannot think of many worse things that the cheap style tequila shots you get in most bars and pubs. But @GreysonCarlisle is right - it’s about the shared experience. Bonding with your friends or colleagues on a night out. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/4 "2021-11-26T22:25:45Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > If you want to get alcohol into your system, why not do it by drinking a beverage that tastes or feels a lot more pleasant, such as wine, beer, etc.? Liquor’s faster. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/5 "2021-11-26T22:27:19Z")
I agree about the scenario described for that specific experience of “toughing it out” with shots. But in general, as I’ve stated on this board before, it seems to me that one can acquire the ability to enjoy the taste of strong spirits. When I was young I could only really experience the burn, and the alcohol, even with finer spirits. I expect it is the same for many younger people, and those less experienced with hard liquor (the OP). But, as I aged, I found that I got past the “only burn” experience and can now enjoy the flavors when drinking hard liquors. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/6 "2021-11-26T22:31:33Z")
And there’s also genuine sharing. Say that you have a favorite bourbon, but your buddy has never tried it. You might order a couple. Now your buddy doesn’t necessarily know what to expect. It’s a bourbon, sure, but is it mild or strong, will it be hot or cool, will it hit hard or gently? He might grimace a bit after downing it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/7 "2021-11-26T22:37:27Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The people I watched in those videos seemed to enjoy their shots no more than someone taking their medicine. And, like medicine, they’re taking it for the effect and not the taste. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/8 "2021-11-26T22:43:41Z")
Depends on what you mean by super-strong. People doing shots of Everclear, or 151 back in the day when it existed, is just stupid. It’s a game to show how tough you are, and you get wasted. And I did it too back in the day, It was fun at the time, but seeing where the fun came from in hindsight, is hard to find. I have done maybe 10 shots in the last ten years. Each one was not exactly my choice, but a friend was celebrating something, and ordered a round of shots, so I participated. Those where all soft shots like a sundrop, up to a shot of Jack as I recall. On the other hand I do like a good sippin’ whiskey. I have a couple barrel/cask strength Whiskeys from 110-127 or so proof. The do taste good to me that way. They have density and complexity of flavor that isn’t there in the normal bottle. But I wouldn’t shoot those ever, I am drinking for the whole taste of a sip. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/9 "2021-11-27T00:30:44Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Liquor’s faster. Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. Ogden Nash(?) ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/10 "2021-11-27T01:35:23Z")
> Wine is fine, but whiskey’s quicker > Suicide is slow with liquor Ozzy ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/11 "2021-11-27T02:27:02Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > it seems to me that one can acquire the ability to enjoy the taste of strong spirits It seems a lot of people have the ability to enjoy the taste and smell of strong spirits. There is a whole industry dedicated to producing them. Personally, I never felt the need to force down shots of or chug the Louis XIII. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/12 "2021-11-27T14:03:20Z")
I enjoy a flight of really good tequilas, comparing different distilleries or different styles from a single distillery. I also enjoy sipping very cold vodka. The chilly burn is pleasant, similar to extreme capsicum burn. Plus you get fucked up. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/13 "2021-11-27T14:38:56Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I enjoy a flight of really good tequilas, comparing different distilleries or different styles from a single distillery. Never had a flight of tequilas, but I’ve done this often for single malts, and I am really missing the chance to visit distilleries. Even though Scotland at this time of year is cold and dark. I have never understood the idea of drinking something which is not enjoyable. Doing shots seems to be a fast way of getting drunk, and the flavor doesn’t matter. Might also be fewer calories than wine or beer. I know some people enjoy [Baijiu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baijiu) and I even enjoy [Jägermeister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A4germeister), but it does need to be chilled. Everybody has their likes and dislikes. Speaking of which, I should open a bottle of scotch. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/14 "2021-11-27T15:19:00Z")
I don’t do shots, mostly because i hate being drunk. But i do sometimes enjoy strong spirits. I have several single malt scotches in the cupboard, and I enjoy pouring a shot into a brandy snifter and slowly enjoying it over the course of an hour or so. Yes, there’s an alcohol bite. But there are all sorts of other interesting volatiles, and they are pleasant. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/15 "2021-11-27T16:04:19Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. Ogden Nash(?) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oVBIp3q3cms/maxresdefault.jpg "Candy Is Dandy But Liquor Is Quicker!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVBIp3q3cms) ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/16 "2021-11-27T17:10:35Z")
I always wondered about the scenes in Western movies where the trail-dusty cowboys head to the bar and declare they are thirsty and toss down some shots. I doesn’t seem like a shot of rotgut would do much for thirst. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/17 "2021-11-27T17:42:45Z")
Heh. I forgot that was in the movie. But Ogden Nash said it first. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/18 "2021-11-27T20:50:07Z")
I don’t do shots, but spirits with a mixer I drink when I don’t want to fill up with liquid. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/19 "2021-11-28T02:18:47Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > > [@Velocity](#): > > > > If you want to get alcohol into your system, why not do it by drinking a beverage that tastes or feels a lot more pleasant, such as wine, beer, etc.? > > Liquor’s faster. yup. generally speaking, the harsher the alcohol the quicker it does the job. not totally true but generally true. everclear is harsher than liquor which is harsher than fortified wine which is harsher than beer and wine. Also not everyone can drink a gallon of beer. ---
**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:** [November 28, 2021, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990/20 "2021-11-28T02:41:30Z")
While there is some truth to that, of course, I wouldn’t say it’s only for the effect and not the taste. I quite like the taste of a lot of hard alcohol – that one reason I never really drank vodka – because that didn’t taste like anything. But whiskeys of all sorts, gins, tequilas, etc. I really enjoy, but, yes, the effect of relaxation from the alcohol is definitely a component of enjoying them. Whereas with beers, I would happily drink a non-alcoholic beer with exactly the same taste as an alcoholic one purely for the flavor (and there are a number of non-alcoholic beers I enjoy these days, because I love the flavor of malt and hops, and brewers have gotten so much better. I get [almost] all the flavor of beer at like a third or quarter of the calories.) I wish I could say the same of spirits, but even if there were a non-alcoholic Scotch that perfectly replicates the flavor of a nice Bunnahabhain, at the amounts drunk, it doesn’t really make sense, and that alcoholic bite kind of slows you down to enjoy the flavor (and is necessary to pass on many of the flavors.) Non-alcoholic quaffing drinks make sense to me; non-alcoholic sipping drinks not as much. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-enjoyment-of-drinking-strong-spirits/954990.md?page=2)