When I first began to take spirits seriously, I assumed that anyone serious about whiskey only drank whiskey neat. And because I very much wished to be taken seriously, I drank all my whiskey neat. The result? I drank a lot of whiskey, but didn’t enjoy myself nearly as much as I could have.
Any whiskey worth drinking is part of a long and refined tradition, produced by a master distiller and aged in barrels, at considerable expense, for many years. And sure, drinking whiskey neat (or with just a little bit of water) is far and away the best way to appreciate a whiskey’s aromas, its nuances and subtleties, its complexity. But that doesn’t mean that every time you pour yourself a glass it needs to become a ritual of careful nosing, small sips and deep thoughts. Most whiskey just doesn’t warrant that kind of investigation–not every novel is Moby Dick
In all that’s been said and written about alcohol, too little has been about of the pleasure of drinking itself. Most commentary falls into one of two camps: revelry in intoxication, or treatises on gustation and olfaction. Occasionally my experience fits into one of those camps. Drinking with friends until the wee hours, unconcerned about the inevitable hangover, or sitting ponderously and sipping, trying to decode what’s in the glass in front of me. But most days, after work or after dinner, I just want a drink. Something I can enjoy while relaxing, or watching a movie, or reading a book, or having a conversation. Something I can sip and appreciate, but not have to think about it or worry about getting sauced. That’s why most nights you’ll find me with a whiskey and water. I get the flavor of whiskey, but with the ABV of a glass of wine. A couple pours last a couple hours, no pondering required and nobody’s worse for the wear in the morning.
Save your best bottles to really savor, but don’t be embarrassed to dilute your good ones. I usually end up with about 3 parts water to 1 part whiskey, but it’s not like I’m carefully measuring. That’s what I do all day at work.
Elijah Craig 12 or Buffalo Trace are great bourbon options, and Rittenhouse 100 proof or Bulliet Rye are good rye whiskey choices. My current favorite, though, is Old Weller Antique 107 bourbon. It’s quite good and usually available for under $25. And since the 107 refers to its proof, the water isn’t only practical, it’s prudent.
About our Bartender – Michael Bowers is the Head Bartender at the Modern Hotel and Bar in Boise, Idaho. His patrons know him for the uncanny precision with which he tends his bar. Michael’s cocktails have been noted by, among others, Food and Wine, Sunset Magazine, GQ, and the New York Times. See more in The Drink archive.
So about getting one of those glasses……
So about getting one of those glasses……
They were, believe it or not, a Secret Santa gift this year (our group of pals decided to do a big secret santa instead of exchanging gifts between each person/couple/etc… ).
Pretty damn good Secret Santa.
Highly recommend Bulliet Rye because of its great price point. To anyone just getting into whiskey, I suggest starting with bourbon then making your way to either rye or scotch. I only say that because rye and scotch can sometimes be overwhelming for some individuals.
I almost always drink my whiskey neat. Sometimes when I am drinking from an expensive label I will use a couple dashes of water. I don’t know if I would recommend 3 parts to 1. That seems like a lot of water. Then again, I’m the hardcore whiskey snob.
I’d agree with Andrew. 3 to 1 water seems really, really excessive.
if you must dilute, I’d go 1 to 3. Or, splurge on a large rocks tray and use one big cube per heavy pour of bourbon. Wait 15 minutes for it to melt a bit and enjoy.
In addition to Bulleit and Bulleit Rye, I’d also recommend Eagle Rare. It’s from the same distillery as Buffalo Trace, a bit smoother and a bit cheaper. It’s a great starter or regular night bottle.
Good suggestions all round, esp the ice cube rec. Maybe he meant 1 to 3? Can’t imagine you taste much of anything at 3 to 1 water.
Currently enjoying Glenlivet Nadurra, which is my favorite scotch. It was a recent splurge. Bulliet is great. I enjoy all their offerings and definitely recommend the rye. Can’t beat it for the price. I also highly recommend Watkins Select for a good bourbon less than $20. It can be had at Total Wine in my neck of the woods (Atlanta).
I typically drink my Nadurra with two small ice cubes or one large ice cube due to the ABV being in excess of 50%. Other whiskeys I use one conventional ice cube and let it melt before I sip. The purpose of fine whiskey is to enjoy! Don’t rush it. Let the flavors fill your mouth and then swallow. Sip slowly. Enjoy the moment. If you happen to have a pipe or cigar, it is a great accompaniment for highland, lowland and speyside. I tend to avoid if drinking an islay scotch due to the peat, smoke and pepper inherent in the liquor.
I absolutely meant 1 whiskey to 3 water. Ultimately, I’m talking about a mixed drink here. I think that the problem here is that we’re taking about two different things. On one hand you have a mixed drink (i.e. whiskey and water) and on the other hand you have the best way to enjoy the whiskey itself (i.e. whiskey neat or with a small amount of water). Look at it through another lens: a gin a tonic at 1 part gin to 3 parts tonic is a great way to enjoy a drink. It’s not the best way to enjoy the subtleties of the gin. Does that mean that the gin and tonic drinker is missing the point? Maybe, if you’re a gin snob. But for the person looking for a lot of refreshment with a little flavor thrown in, it’s perfect. I really love drinking good whiskey neat, but the point is that neat isn’t the only way to enjoy it.
If you have a bottle of something expensive (for me $50+), I think you owe it to yourself to try it neat, then with a few drops of water, and really try to experience it first. After that, and with any cheaper bottles, do whatever you want (ice cube, cocktail, more water) short of making it into a whiskey & coke- you might as well just use a <$10 bourbon for that since you won't be able to taste the difference.
Absolutely love Rittenhouse Rye and Buffalo Trace is my one of my top bang-for-the-buck bourbons. Due to its near universal acclaim I got one of my friends a bottle of EC12 for her birthday but haven't been able to try it yet.
There's a scotch thread and bourbon thread on the forums if anyone wants to learn/discuss more:
http://threads.dappered.com/showthread.php/7586-Official-Bourbon-Rye-Thread
http://threads.dappered.com/showthread.php/8387-Official-Scotch-Thread
It almost seems like some folks read the title and then scrolled down to the bottom to comment without reading the article. I feel like OBMB (official bartender michael bowers) made the point quite clear in the first couple paragraphs.
How does the Bulleit Rye compare to the Rittenhouse?
Yep. I am an avid Scotch drinker and always take a sip neat and then add just a drop or two of water to open it up.
Although, I have been known on a hot summer’s eve (or morn, to be perfectly honest) to sip a scotch and soda made from some cheap blend like Black Label. I agree with the premise that drinking should be enjoyable and you don’t always need to break out the 30 year single malt while catching up on Mad Men (though, there is something sexy about that particular combination).
A girlfriend of mine bought me the Nadurra a while back and I didn’t care for it. When you get a chance, I highly recommend the Glenlivet 18 Rare Vintage.
And some unsolicited advice from a scotch snob… use a chilled glass and add two drops of water. If you really need to drink it cold use whiskey rocks… but ice in a single malt is just wrong. 😉
Similar. I’d say Bulliet has a more spicier flavor.
Or maybe they just want to state their own opinion as well? Who cares? It’s promoting discussions about whiskey! Can’t go wrong with that!
I find it odd that there’s all these Scotch Snobs and not one of you has said
Get a journal, measure your scotch and drink it different and take notes on how it taste per drop(s) of water.
Eg. Drink 1 oz neat, then 1 drop of water, then 2 drops and so forth.
I unfortunately cannot pick up the subtle flavours of anything and I’ve been drinking neat for a while, just started down the water drop path to see if it changes it much. So far Tallisker, Obun with just a bit of water I find improved a lot.
Oh yeah, stemless wine glasses are great scotch glasses as well 🙂
I’m with Michael on this one. If I’m not going to be solely focused on the drink, my favorite way to enjoy a leisurely bourbon is about 2-3oz of Buffalo Trace in a glass with 3 ice cubes from my ice maker (yes, I know I could do better). I’m probably down to about 2:1 or 3:1 water:bourbon by the time the cubes have fully melted (drinking more bourbon/less water at the beginning). The drink is cool, not cold (think white wine drinking temperature) and wonderfully easy sipping.
“Most commentary falls into one of two camps: revelry in intoxication, or treatises on gustation and olfaction.”
for an official bartender, you’re a helluva writer.
if you are having trouble, highly recommend looking up a flavor wheel to help in assisting you.
Hey Joe, what type of water are you using in your ‘whiskey and water’?
Thanks but no thanks. I have rocks, but even after being the freezer they just don’t get cold enough. And nadurra is higher abv thus the need to dilute slightly. Just my personal preference. You have yours and I have mine.
Rittenhouse can be a touch rougher too, IMO. Both very good, but since trying Bulleit, I haven’t bought another bottle of Rittenhouse.
That said, Sazerac Rye, if you can find it, is my favorite!
Rittenhouse can be a touch rougher too, IMO. Both very good, but since trying Bulleit, I haven’t bought another bottle of Rittenhouse.
That said, Sazerac Rye, if you can find it, is my favorite! Ever try it?
Copy-cat! LOL – Why do these mis-posts not actually delete when the delete button is pressed?
Not sure if anyone will read this, since it’s a day old however I want to try whiskey, scotch, and whatever else. I am however on a very tight budget at the moment I picked up a bottle of Evan Williams and tried sipping it neat, then sipping it with a few drops of water, then with a lot of water, I did 2:1 unlike this posts 3:1 ratio. I didn’t really enjoy it any of the ways, or at least not in the way where I would find it enjoyable to sip while just sitting around relaxing which is ultimately what I am looking for.
I’m a little worried that it’s a lost cause for me because I do not have any sense of smell (never have) and so many articles mention the aromas and slight hints of things that I don’t think I am able to pick up. It just seemed like a lot of burn from alcohol, and not a lot of taste of anything. Adding a lot of water just made it seem like bad tasting water to me. Do you have any ideas, suggestions, or guidance for me continuing down this path or is it just a lost cause?
ISO: dat glass
Definitely. 3 parts water to 1 part whisky is FAR too much, in my opinion. I just do about 3 or 4 drops and it opens up the aromas and flavors locked in the alcohol.