The Wine & Whisky Thread

[guy]

It always amazes me how adding a drop or two of water (no more) to a half decent whisk(e)y can bring out its flavour.

I only add water to stronger whisky (if I find it a bit "harsh" on first tasting), it can open up different flavours, but if overdone just makes the drink bland.
Your post made me look it up, this is quite interesting (although I don't believe the solubility bit - surely insoluble material would make the whisky hazy/fall out of the solution?)
I'm sure Grant will have a good idea what is going on

https://blog.scotchwhiskyexperience....ter-to-whisky/

[guy]

Just had a thought, could it be that weakening the alcohol gives your taste buds a chance to "recognise" what is going on?

[struth]

It always amazes me how adding a drop or two of water (no more) to a half decent whisk(e)y can bring out its flavour.

yeah depends on the whisky and strength etc but its all about the ethanol molecule. its odd and one end is hydrascopic(is that the word?)(attracts water)and other hydraphobic.(repels water). anyway ethanol in large concentrations stay away from surface, and block molecules like guaiacol from reaching surface, air and your taste buds get hit with ethanol only. i think ethanol kind of turns and rises attracting the taste molecules to the air and you when the % is dropped.
Summat like that anyway lol..
Whisky that hasnt been chill filtered is usually bottles at 46% and above or it will go hazy if any water is added(you might even find floaters in it lol). Nothing wrong with it, it is just floc, and some flavours too. if you leave some ncf whisky out overnight it might(if not cask strength) go a sort of opaque colour.
Cask strength whiskies need diluting really as the alcohol is going to all be at top og glass pointing the wrong way, so add water until you start tasting whisky and not all ethanol(and dont get prissy if it clouds over.) there is no real right ammount, just what you like, and use bottled water.(you dont want chlorine etc in it)

[guy]

Ahhh - hadn't really thought of ethanol molecule being polar.
OH end will be hydrophilic (water loving - "H" bonding with water)
CH3 end will be hydrophobic (water hating)
Easiest to think of it being akin to tiny little magnets - oppositely charged ends will stick or clump together (Like how soaps/emulsifiers work, hydrophobic end of molecule sticks to oils etc)

[rmcin626]

Nearly always add a splash of water to whisky

[struth]

Nearly always add a splash of water to whisky

yup i mostly do too. varies from literally a few drops from a pipette to a largish splash lol

[struth]

Sherry Bomb

[Mr.Ian]

Think i have a guest from sweden over at Easter. He likes whisky. I dont. Thought it would be good to get a bottle in for him, something a bit different without spending a fortune. Not too difficult to get hold of. Any suggestions

[struth]

Think i have a guest from sweden over at Easter. He likes whisky. I dont. Thought it would be good to get a bottle in for him, something a bit different without spending a fortune. Not too difficult to get hold of. Any suggestions

Mackmyra are a Swedish whisky company. you can get their wares online. but probably better with a Scotch malt. Swedes like lightish stuff i believe so maybe Glen Grant. Their cheapest is a 10 yr old, but the 12 is much better but still reasonable at about 40 ish. If you feel richer then their 18 yr old will set you back 120 quid but is super stuff and a nice box too.

[Mr.Ian]

Scottish or english for sure