whisky review 12 - water in whisky

[NitroDSP]

Good stuff Ralfy! I have been drinking scotch for a few years, but i can only afford to enjoy cheaper scotches

I usually drink very small glasses with a bit of water, but i never stir it or let it sit to long. I do this because it makes my cheaper scotch smoother. I am sure you notices to way a spirit ripples when water is added... the pockets of water (the ripples) sort of cushion my pallet and give most cheaper young scotch a less processed taste, imo. what are your thoughts? sacrilege?

[kryptos7799]

please excuse my ignorance since this is new to me. So are there whiskeys that once out of the cast the company puts other flavors into the whiskey to add taste and color? Or is that more for blended whiskeys? Also general question, Bourbon is whiskey from Kentucky and Scotch is Whiskey from Scotland? Thanks!

[ralfystuff]

@kryptos7799

there is only spirit and cask which flavours Scotch whisky, but brown dye can be added.

[schwarzblatt]

The HP 12 I recently purchased is a pleasant 43%ABV and seemed to open up nicely with just a few droplets of water.

[Thr14l1ty]

you just differentiate the water given to sherry-cask and bourbon-cask whisky. Now my question is: i've got a Bunnahabain Scotch Islay Single Malt Whisky here, it is directly from the cask (bought in a shop called "Vom Fass" (english called: from the cask)) . It aged 9 years in an old oak barrel. So which amount of water would you nominate to put in it? (it is not the "new" one, has got 40%vol.) Thanks for the answer, i love your reviews ;)

[ralfystuff]

@Thr14l1ty

as all whiskies are different, you will have to add a little water, several times, tasting as you go till you get the perfect ratio.

[sikajaperkele]

There´s a Finnish single malt called Teerenpeli.

[thehoosierfortheUK]

@ralfystuff I've got a buddy who likes Johnny Walker ( usually red label) and mineral water; I believe it's like 2/4 Johnny Walker and the other 2/4 mineral water. What do you say about Johnny Walker and Coca-Cola? Is it good or you don't really recommend that?

[ralfystuff]

@thehoosierfortheUK

If I had a flu virus and a felt terrible, I might drink a JW & coke ! ... otherwise no, ... never !

[ralfystuff]

@RachelFuryRocks

clean, fresh tap water is fine, but not too much chlorine !

[fodera6]

@ralfystuff Good to know. I've always been a bit hesitant to use tap water no matter its qualities. I've read about some real crazies paying for stem water from the distillery but unless you live in Scotland, it seems a bit ridiculous. Carry on!

[2010peters]

I wish my cupboard was stocked like yours!! Who needs food when ya got whisky!!! MMMMMM!!!lol What kind of water do you use? French Evian? Scottish highland springs ?

[2010peters]

I wish my cupboard was stocked like yours!! Who needs food when ya got whisky!!! MMMMMM!!!lol

[YoungPulteney]

According to Gerry Tosh, whisky ambassador of Highland Park, they never add caramel. At least he says so in the clip "How to do a Tasting".

[ralfystuff]

@YoungPulteney

So why not state it clearly on the label ?

[YoungPulteney]

@ralfystuff I wonder, too. This is why I used sentence constructions like "According to" and "At least he says so" and didn't write "Highland Park does not use caramel". Meaning: he didn't really convinced me. But I'm just a rookie...

[ralfystuff]

@YoungPulteney

A rookie learn fast and furious !

[JohanKJohansson1]

@ralfystuff

Hi Ralfy, i just bought a Ardbeg Uigeadail and i wondered how much water you would recommend adding to a glass of, lets say 6 ml?

[ralfystuff]

@JohanKJohansson1

add a few drops of water, then more as required till you get the full flavour thats best for you.

[TheChrisYo]

Do you only add water to single malt's then? Leave the blended whisky's alone?

[ralfystuff]

@TheChrisYo

... most blended Scotch's are at 40% vol: so only a drop of water needed (if at all).

Malts due to intensity, complexity and occasionally higher strength need varying amount of water and how much it's all down to personal experience.

.... Practice makes (near) perfect.

[fuckyou334]

Im jalous, this guy have more bottles than me, just kidd

[pjdaviesuk]

Hi ralfy love the videos. I was just wondering what water you use. Some say only to use mineral water but is tap water ok or not? Thanks.

[ralfystuff]

@pjdaviesuk

... tap water is just fine if you have a clean, untainted supply. Non-mineralised water is 'softer' and better for releasing whisky complexity.

[SpartanJohns]

your preferances start to change...very well put.

great info. thank you

[t1hero]

The reason you cant top up a drowned dram is that the aromas are gone. The aromas are alcohol soulable, when adding water they become gas. This is also why some say cask strength is better since lots of the aromas gets ejected into the factory when they dilute.

[hyefi]

Big question Ralfy should you add water before covering the scotch and do the:

[age of scotch = minutes] wait

or just cover the scotch without water and wait the appropriate time, nose it then add water and taste. Your input is vital at this time as I have two cask strength society bottles waiting for me at home.

[ralfystuff]

... add a little water, then leave the spirit to develop in the glass, ... after a reasonable time, check the nose and taste then add some more water if necessary.

... and enjoy every drop !

[hyefi]

thank you for the advice. I tried the first today which is from Balmenach. A 9yo bottled at 60.8% ABV, what a kicker to say the least! It is a bourbon cask so due to that and the high ABV I added a fair amount of water and it could take it. Turned out to be a good single malt! Round two tomorrow!

Also, I'm really enjoying the reviews and tutorials, keep up the great work!

[Vaynesti]

This is very educational, great videos! Thank you for taking the time to explain and present all this, again very educational and instructive.

Thank you!

[jarydf]

Thank you this is great information, well presented.

[bumbacutthoat]

i drowned my dram:(

[ralfystuff]

.... yesterdays disasters

... lead to tomorrows achievements.

... I have drowned drams!! but not too many!

[terrypk1]

LOVE YOU RALFY. thanks for your guide. just bought the Alberlour.

GOOD STUFF CAN"T WAIT.

[butephoto]

Say no to water! There's enough in it already!

;)

Good work, Ralf.

[heartwork1]

Thanks mate. its good you have cleared that up.

[IloveAlexisBledel689]

Thank you very much for the video, I was scared to pour water in my single malts and ruin all the subtleties.