For all you whiskey drinkers

[Big Dave]

What's the deal with adding water to drink whiskey? I've been drinking Irish whiskey for some time now, and I don't understand the deal with the water? Do you need to add water? or does it really mater? I usually drink it straight, so this water thing is new to me. Thanks guys.

[Nick]

I usually add a tiny bit of water. I find it brings out the flavor better. And it makes it last a little longer ;)

[ByDand]

Either or. If it is cask strength, I had just a little. If not cask strength then I add none. Does remind me of a joke by the late and great Tommy Cooper. He said, "I was in a pub one night drinking my Scotch and a man walked up to me and said, "Do you always drink your Scotch neat?" I replied "No, somtimes I don't wear a tie and my shirt tail is out!"" Oh well I guess you really have to hear it from Tommy!

[Livingston]

I've usually had whiskey with coke but with WHISKY a wee bit of spring water brings out more of the flavors. Although, I usually have mine neat with a glass of water on the side.

[Graham]

Nick is correct, especially with single malts, however, I tend to mostly drink them straight, nothing added.

It's personal taste really, no rules.

On an overnight ferry recently the barman said they had rules NOT to serve whisky on it's own, only mixed with coke.
I told him that was vulgar but he wouldn't budge.

thankfully I happened to have a flask in my sporran

[Colin]

I have spoken to a few bartenders (locally and in the UK) and they have all advised that single malt should have a touch of water added to bring out the flavour and aroma. I have found this to be quite true (as per my own personal tastes). However I still have friends that prefer it straight or with ice. To each their own.

I don't know if the same would apply to a blend or an Irish whisky though.

The only whisky I would ever add any kind of "soda" to is Canadian rye whiskey. I practically grew up making "Manitoba Martinis" (rye and 7-up) for my grandmother. I still have one if I am at the curling rink watching a game.

[Sherry]

...
On an overnight ferry recently the barman said they had rules NOT to serve whisky on it's own, only mixed with coke.
I told him that was vulgar but he wouldn't budge.

thankfully I happened to have a flask in my sporran

Ugh! Maybe the rule was there to keep the sales of whisky down as they had a limited supply? That's the only reason of which I can think.

The distillers themselves say to add a bit of water to the whisky; but the ideal water to add to the whisky is the same local water that was added to it before it was bottled, & how many can get the local water? Hardly anyone would be my guess.

Most of the ppl I know who drink whisky drink it neat.