Adding water to your single malt

[Skyfall]

Just curious....

Do you prefer to add water to your single malt?

Why or Why not?

If yes, how much do you prefer?

[Skyfall]

I'm a no, I prefer the taste and nose pure and not diluted.

[Hypersomniac]

I usually don't, but I will occasionally add an ice cube to my cask strength scotch.

[thecapo]

No water! Two ice cubes only! Why take a perfectly good CC and add a filter on it. Same concept. A good single malt or blend should be sipped not gulped and chilled not watered down.

Only my opinion.

Now a very nice cognac should be warmed by a flame to the glass.

[theholmesmob]

I voted no to adding water, but that's not to say that I would not add an ice cube or a wee skerrick of water on occassion......

[Ginseng]

I put a splash (about a teaspoon) per ounce. Blasphemy? I find this releases a more nuanced and accessible nose.

Wilkey

[Larsy]

I usually gravitate toward a few drops of water.

When I get something new Ill try it plain and then try it with some water to see which I like more.

But in the end Its your whiskey, drink it however you want!

[paulF]

I put a splash (about a teaspoon) per ounce. Blasphemy? I find this releases a more nuanced and accessible nose.

Wilkey

Same here and no blasphemy at all as a tiny splash of water does soften the spirit a bit and opens up the bouquet of aromas.

Adding Ice on the other hand would harm the drink since it will get too cold and your taste buds will get a bit numbed and ice will melt and dilute the drink with too much water.

Its worth noting that some bottles that are way too smooth(at least to my mind) would get too bland with even the slightest amount of water such as Johnny Bleu label.

[shlomo]

Never.

Need water to dilute the flavours? Pick another, milder, scotch!

[Louich]

I never add water or ice cubes to my single malt. I rarely add a very very small amount to my cask strenght dram to open them up a bit more it is not a obligation.

[LLC]

Typically not but if I did it would be a few drops to open it up a bit.

[HarveyBoulevard]

No water! Two ice cubes only! Why take a perfectly good CC and add a filter on it. Same concept. A good single malt or blend should be sipped not gulped and chilled not watered down.

Only my opinion.

Now a very nice cognac should be warmed by a flame to the glass.

How do you not add water when you add ice?

[HarveyBoulevard]

In all seriousness (as I am kidding of course with my above comment), I do tend to add a couple of drops of water for the same reasons Ginseng and paulF stated earlier.

Not to dilute...to open the bouquet...

[Ken Gargett]

i know, from speaking to a few master distillers, that they find it most acceptable and most, if not all, do it. possibly not always but it is not the blasphemy some think.

that said, i never do. i add a cube or two of ice. as they melt, similar effect but i find it allows me the opportunity to initially get the flavour/impact of an undiluted spirit and then later, a slightly different one as the melted ice releases more flavours.

[TiminBC]

The issue with is ice is that cools the scotch and a colder liquid numbs your taste buds. I said no but a little distilled water with a cask strength whiskey is likely fine. I almost always only drink my whisky with a glass.

If you like it with water or ice then fine as after all it is your whiskey and your taste.

[dangolf18]

A few drops for me (of its a good scotch). Of course I'll try it neat first. Adding anymore than a quarter or a teaspoon is ridiculous IMO.

[Habana Mike]

I tend to taste/sniff the Scotch undiluted and then add a couple of drops (perhaps a bit more for Cask strength).

It opens up the bouquet and flavor profile.

Never ice with single malts though I do with blended.

As the Scots say, a wee bit of water is fine, just don't drown the whisky.

[Rye]

I used to add a couple drops or a single cube, but I quit that years ago. I much prefer the un-diluted flavours and have grown to love even a cask strength in it's pure and neat form.

[TM-US]

I voted no, but depending on the whiskey, I will add a drop or two of water. The water can open up the flavor. Ice? No way. It cools the drink and mutes the flavors.

[Ginseng]

Same here and no blasphemy at all as a tiny splash of water does soften the spirit a bit and opens up the bouquet of aromas.

Adding Ice on the other would harm the drink since it will get too cold and your taste buds will get a bit a bit numbed and ice will melt and dilute the drink with too much water.

Its worth noting that some bottles that are way too smooth(at least to my mind) would get too blacnd with even the slightest amount of water such as Johnny Bleu label.

I fully agree. Another example is Collingwood, a Canadian whisky I picked up at duty free. A very mild whisky. Just the merest hint of moisture and it turns utterly insipid.

Wilkey

[lancerv43]

I voted water. No more than a teaspoon. I am just starting to really enjoy whiskey though so maybe that will change maybe it won't. Time will tell.

[str8dog]

I like mine just below room temp with a drop of water, so what I do is drop in a filtered water ice cube and stir it with my finger for about 10 seconds, then pull the ice out and set it aside for a little replay when the dram is done.

[sharks]

Generally no, although on the odd occasion I will add a drop to the cask strength stuff!

[Stogieninja]

Absolutely depends on the scotch. Lagavulin? No. Oban? Yes.

[investandprosper]

i know, from speaking to a few master distillers, that they find it most acceptable and most, if not all, do it. possibly not always but it is not the blasphemy some think.

that said, i never do. i add a cube or two of ice. as they melt, similar effect but i find it allows me the opportunity to initially get the flavour/impact of an undiluted spirit and then later, a slightly different one as the melted ice releases more flavours.

This.