Category: The Sip

Water in your Whiskey?

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

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Do you put water in your whiskey? We whiskey drinkers are a strange lot. We drink whiskey and (think) we know things. Some of us mix our whiskey in cocktails; Manhattan or Old Fashion anyone? Or how about a bourbon and cola or whiskey with a spritz of soda? And of course, there’s always whiskey over ice (crushed, cubed, clear sphere, etc.) There are people in every camp, and many of us have strong opinions of how our favored spirit should be enjoyed.

TRADITION

In Scotland the traditional way to enjoy whisky is with a little water. Although I have never been, I’ve read nearly all the distilleries have plenty of water available in their tasting rooms. And I’ve not driven Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail either, but I imagine water is available in tasting rooms on the trail as well. In fact, in one segment from the documentary “NEAT: The Story of Bourbon“, Freddie Johnson from Buffalo Trace introduces the use of water as he conducts a tasting session.

“Water is your friend.”
– Freddie Johnson

from NEAT: The Story of Bourbon

Generally I’m not a “water in your whiskey” kind of guy although water has made it into some of the higher proof bourbons I’ve enjoyed. I’ve added water to Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch and Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B520, and early in my adventure to Old Forester 1920 (my first high proof bourbon). You see, I usually prefer my bourbon neat, no matter the proof. Therefore I’m in no position to say whether one should, or should not add water to an evening pour. While I believe there is a place for water in whiskey, nobody least of all some random whiskey writer, has the right to tell anyone how to drink their spirits. How one enjoys their whiskey is a personal choice.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

I began this article like many I write — with research. I wanted to discover how (and hopefully why) water affects whiskey. To begin, most if not all distilleries are located on or near reliable water sources: creeks, rivers and in Scotland, even Loches (lakes). And there is a reason for this.

Whiskey, and bourbon in particular can be as much as 60% water. Distillers use the water from their source as they prepare the mash and for other purposes as they make their distillate. They also use their water to proof down their products prior to bottling. Proofing down a whiskey not only stretches availability, but the addition of water helps achieve desired aroma and flavor profiles.

Photo by B K on Unsplash

I learned of several studies regarding these water sources. In Scotland, much of the water is quite soft, allowing sweetness and the subtleties of smoky peat to come forward. Still, there are many distilleries making fine scotches from water with a greater mineral content. And of course, there’s Kentucky’s famed limestone and calcium enriched water. Mineral enriched “hard” water is said to nurture yeast helping it to grow during fermentation.

Some experimenters have gone so far as to test water from these various sources to discover how each affects the pour. High concentrations of alcohol can and do overpower certain flavors preventing them from being discerned. Adding water lowers the alcohol by volume (ABV) and makes aromas and flavors come forward. Then there are in depth experiments in which the dilution of whisky to just 20% ABV have been studied. And molecular science studies by Björn C. G. Karlsson and Ran Friedman (2017) uncovered the fact that water helps release flavors allowing them to “float” to the surface.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Since we know science and and our own experiences say water really does help to open whiskey up, one might ask, “Why don’t distillers just make all their whiskeys low proof offerings?”

  • First and most importantly, bourbons by legal definition, must be bottled at no lower than 40% ABV (80 proof).
  • Second, dilution of whiskey increases packaging and distribution costs.
  • Third, lower proof bottlings remove the option for consumers like you and me to derive our own perfect proof levels.
  • Fourth, bottling whiskey at higher ABV concentrations typically reduces aroma and flavor deterioration.
  • Fifth, many people (like me) love high proof whiskey.
WHAT KIND OF WATER SHOULD BE USED?

My studies have uncovered any water can be added to whiskey, even the water one drinks every day whether it be bottled or tap. And with a little searching, one can purchase Scottish spring and American Limestone water specifically bottled to be added to whiskey.

Some people go so far as to say the water one regularly drinks is fine. However and ideally, the water should be purified and shouldn’t add any flavor on its own. Personally, I believe distilled water to be a good and inexpensive choice. It’s readily available, filtered and pure (and it’s what I use).

Studies are fine but in the end, the greatest opportunity for someone to discover how his or her whiskey is affected by water rests with the individual doing the drinking. So knowing water can enhance aromas and flavors, let’s head back to the bar, pub and into our own homes. There we can dabble with dribbles at our own pace.

ADDING WATER

How does one know the right amount of water to add? While there is no exact amount or wrong way to add water, let me offer an example we’ve all experienced. After a long summer dry spell, a few splatters of rain hitting the ground have a way of opening up natural aromas. Those first rain drops bring about petrichor: the pleasant aroma of mixed earth, grass and fresh air. But in the same way, a little more rain quickly washes away all those sensations. It’s the same with whiskey. A small amount of water can help some whiskies bloom; too much water can dilute faint aromas and flavors.

I begin my water testing with a neat pour of something high proof, usually 60% ABV or more. After evaluating my neat pour of high proof whiskey, I’ll wait a day or two and with those observations, thinking about how water might affect the whiskey.

MY WATER EVALUATIONS

When ready to test, I pour a controlled amount – about an ounce and a half of into a Glencairn. Being conservative, I add just two drops of distilled water. Two drops doesn’t change the proof of the pour by much. Then, I’ll compare the aroma of the altered whiskey with my neat pour notes:

  • What aromas can I smell?
  • Are they more or less pronounced?
  • Are there other aromas in the watered pour?
  • Which of the original aromas have faded and what new ones can be found?

Then, it’s on to the palate …

  • What flavors can I taste?
  • Are they more or less pronounced?
  • Did some of the old flavors get washed away by the water?
  • Which new flavors can be sensed in the watered pour?

After the sample pour notes are recorded and the dram is finished, I’ll make another 1.5 ounce pour only this time, four drops of distilled water will be added. Then another set of aroma and flavor comparisons are made. On occasion, I’ve even completed a third set of trials with additional water. By employing the scientific method, I’ve discovered how much water (if any) will be needed to give me the perfect pour.

You can read my interpretations on the affects of water in my reviews of Booker’s 2018-02 Backyard BBQ, Booker’s 2018-03 Kentucky Chew, Booker’s 2019-03 Country Ham, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A119, and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve as well as for the three whiskeys I mentioned earlier.

TO THE MATH

Remember when I mentioned a few drops of water won’t drastically affect the proof of an altered pour? Using my example of a one an a half ounce pour and two drops of water (about 0.0043 fl. oz.) and calculations using a whiskey of 120 proof, the proof of the altered pour works out to be about 119.65 – Not too different from the bottle proof. The formula for this calculation is:

Water in your Whiskey

I’ve put together a Watered Whiskey Calculator for people who want to know the proof of their pours when adding water. The worksheet can also be used to calculate the amount of water needed to proof down a whiskey to a desired amount.

For example, if one wanted to put two whiskies of differing proofs on a level playing field, the calculator will help determine the amount of water needed to make balanced comparisons. Find the worksheet here or in the ‘Resources and Tools’ widget at the bottom or to the upper right of this text.

SUMMARY

In my experience, water truly affects the aromas and flavors of the whiskey I’ve enjoyed. And I must note, I prefer my whiskey at room temperature and not chilled. For me, I’ve found the aromas and flavors in cold whiskey are quite muted. Aromas and flavors bloom as whiskey warms. Therefore, I’ve not experimented with ice, though many say, the melting ice helps improve the experience.

But if there is a lesson here, it’s don’t shy away from water. As Freddie Johnson in ‘NEAT: The Story of Bourbon‘ says, “Water is your friend.” Add a few drops now and again, I think you’ll be surprised how much your whiskey can change.

So now I turn it over to you. How much water do you add to your pour? How do you enjoy your whiskey?

Click the ..LEAVE A REPLY.. button in the field below to enter your thoughts.

Water in your Whiskey?
written by Brian Dawson

Whiskey for the Ages editor

Back to …

The Sip – Whiskey Articles
Whiskey Reviews

Featured image by Robert Anderson on Unsplash

REFERENCE

Karlsson Björn C.G. and Friedman, Ran
2017. Dilution of Whisky – The Molecular Perspective. Scientific Reports 7(1):1-9.

(PDF) Dilution of whisky – The molecular perspective

Sentimental Favorite Whiskies

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

We all have sentimental favorite whiskies. Those “must have” bottles we cannot live without. The ones with back-ups (and even back-ups of back-ups). Some may even be secret indulgences. You know the ones, whiskies only you can love.

SENTIMENTAL FAVORITE WHISKIES

So, what makes a favorite? Maybe it’s a first bourbon, or bottles which tug at past experiences and fond memories. Or the first whiskey with which you connected – its aromas and flavors leapt from the glass – begging you to smell and savor each one. And then there’s the bottle for an evening’s nightcap – after trying something new.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Years ago, I subcontracted for a software company and was asked to talk at a business event in Louisville, Kentucky. At the close of each day’s events, our hosts had scheduled meet and greet networking sessions.

To highlight Kentucky’s greatest export, the event promoters arranged a pseudo bourbon “tour” in a hotel breakout room. There, samplings from Brown-Forman, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Jim Beam, and Maker’s Mark were poured by distillery emissaries. I knew little about bourbon, but to be sure, I partook and my fascination began.

Today, after all these years and many purchases and pours, I’ve come up with ten bottles which are always open in my bunker. Certainly there are others, but these are in some sort of irregular rotation. I’ll share them with you below.

FIRST WHISKIES

In those early days of this great adventure, Four Roses and Maker’s Mark made quite an impression. Caramelly brown sugar and nice bourbon spice – What more needs to be said. There is always an open bottle of Four Roses Small Batch in my bunker. This bourbon is readily available in here in Idaho where I live, so as each $35 bottle nears empty, it’s easy to grab another.

Sentimental Favorite Whiskies

Over the years, my palate has matured and I’ve moved on from basic Maker’s. My bunker now houses a recent Maker’s Mark Cask Strength release at $60. In addition, I also have several wonderful bottles of Idaho State Liquor Division (ISLD) picks (think Store Pick Whiskey) produced by Maker’s Mark. They are next level takes on the popular Maker’s 46 Stave Selection process.

VALUE WHISKIES

As with most of us in the early days of our bourbon educations, I stayed under the $40 mark. An early standout for me was Eagle Rare. And even today, I believe it is near impossible to find a better value for the money. At about $35 (in Idaho), Eagle Rare offers great aroma and flavor, and it’s a 10 year old bourbon. There’s always an open bottle on the shelf and as it is now becoming a bit challenging to find, I’m always on the lookout for a back up (or two).

Sentimental Favorite Whiskies

Another bargain bourbon I enjoy is Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond. While I’m certain it has its detractors and will never win any awards, I think it’s a nice pour. And for me it’s just good enough for an evening’s last dram when I want just a wee bit more. Best of all it’s often on sale for $15.95 (or less). Being a Bottled-in-Bond 100 proof bourbon it’s a no-brainer for it to be a staple on my shelf.

HIGH PROOF WHISKIES
Sentimental Favorite Whiskies

As I’ve previously blogged, Adam, my local Liquor Store Manager coached me along this whiskey trek. He turned me on to my first high proof bourbon, Old Forester 1920. My palate was maturing and he had been suggesting I might be ready for some heat. At $60 and 115 Proof, 1920 was both the most expensive and the highest proof whiskey I’d had to that point. But oh-my what a bourbon. Aroma and flavor and finish. I always have a bottle on my shelf.

With the additional proof, I’d found my mother lode: big, bold, high proof bourbons which are earthy, sweet and full of oak – and I wanted more. Five of my top six all time bourbons fall in this group. There is no single bourbon here, these are batched offerings – Stagg Jr ($50), Elijah Craig Barrel Proof ($60) and Booker’s ($85).

Each year, Buffalo Trace releases two batches of Stagg Jr. (Spring and Fall), Heaven Hill three batches of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (January, May and September), and Jim Beam, 3-4 batches of Booker’s (about every 3-4 months). All releases are different, and all above 125 proof (some even exceed 130 proof). Mmmm … bold, high proof, earthy, sweet and full of oak … my favorite. There’s always an open expression from each distillery on my ready to go shelf.

RARE WHISKEY
Sentimental Favorite Whiskies

Early on Adam also told me about the ISLD Lottery which is open to the Idaho public. At regular intervals, the state offers the opportunity for its patrons to purchase rare and hard to find whiskeys at MSRP. One of my early lottery entries yielded a bottle of Weller Antique 107. While there may be better bourbons, an open bottle of Weller Antique graces the shelve allowing me to revel in my first lottery win. At about $50, this bourbon is increasingly difficult to secure, so I seldom pass when I get the chance to buy.

SECRET INDULGENT WHISKEY

And my secret indulgence? A bourbon from DryFly Distilling out of Spokane, WA. I am a fly fisherman, so I feel OBLIGATED to try their offerings. I began with DryFly Straight Wheat, then the DryFly Straight Triticale, and a DryFly Wheat finished in Huckleberry Port barrels. My favorite is DryFly Bourbon 101. At about $40 (often less on sale), I always have a bottle on hand.

YOUR TURN

So, there’s my list, in all its ragged glory. I know some of you will like a few of the ones I’ve listed and others will question my palate – and I’m good with that. It’s MY list!

So now it’s your turn. What are your sentimental favorite whiskies?

Click the ..LEAVE A REPLY.. button in the field below to enter your favorite “must haves”.

Sentimental Favorite Whiskies written by Brian Dawson

Whiskey for the Ages editor

Back to …

The Sip – Whiskey Articles
Whiskey Reviews

Start your Own Infinity Bottle Project

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

After reading the lead-in to this post, some of you may be thinking, what is an Infinity Bottle Project, and just maybe, do I need to start one? Well curious friend, read on …

Or tap to hear our Infinity Bottle Projects Podcast.

Infinity Bottle Project

On New Year’s Eve, 2020 Hannah and I enjoyed a bourbon which ticked nearly all my boxes. It was deep, had dark fruits on the nose, and a whole lumber yard of seasoned old oak. The palate was similar to the nose, but with far more depth with an added bit of dark toffee sweetness. This bourbon had plenty of proof (120+) but it wasn’t hot in the mouth, yet I knew the alcohol was there. And the fruit and wood sensed on the nose and in my mouth lingered on the finish long after the sip was downed. Best of all, this pour smelled and tasted old.

There’s not another bottle like this in the world; the whiskey inside exists only in our bunker, and next time we pour it will likely taste much different. What is this magical elixir you might ask? It’s our own Whiskey for the Ages Neck Pour High Proof Solera Bourbon blend!

INFINITY BOTTLE PROJECTS

I first heard of Infinity Bottle Projects shortly after publishing our What Bottles do You Have Open? post back in March 2020. A business acquaintance following our blog noted the open bottles in the post, and asked, “How does your Infinity Bottle look?” Until the query, I’d never encountered such a thing. (Thank you Greg.)

With a little research, Hannah and I decided an Infinity Bottle Project would be fun and maybe even a little rewarding. Maybe the experiment would evolve into a living history of our bourbon conquests … encapsulated in a single bottle. And, as additions were made and samples taken, we could share the project with our subscribers and followers. Think about it – Who wouldn’t want to blend their own whiskey?

So, I joined a couple of on-line Infinity Bottle Project social groups to get a better grasp of what infinity bottles are all about. I soon learned how some spirit producers use the old Solera process to age rum, sherry and whiskey for stability and how infinity bottles have adapted the principle.

INFINITY BOTTLE BASICS

Surprisingly, I discovered blending a personal bottle is simple and pretty much up to the project owner. There are no rules for infinity projects, just a few basics and some simple guidelines most experimenters follow:

▪Basic #1: When building an Infinity Bottle Project, it’s your bottle. Do what you want.
▪Basic #2: Unless the project is scrapped, the bottle shouldn’t go empty. It’s not an infinity bottle if it is restarted from empty.
▪Basic #3: There are no rules when working on an Infinity Bottle Project.

Beyond these three basics , I learned an Infinity Bottle Project …

Infinity Bottle Project

… is a marathon, not a sprint. Many Infinity Bottles are years old and may contain donations from hundreds of whiskeys.
… may include multiple bottles in various stages of fill. Some scientists have a rye, a Scotch and a bourbon Infinity Bottle going at the same time.
… has consistently portioned additions, with 1.5-2 ounces being typical. Blenders may add first pours, or the last dram or two from a favorite bottle.
… donation pour is seldom duplicated.
… blender doesn’t worry about contribution mashbills.  If a whiskey is enjoyed, it gets added to the bottle.
… gets additions which are up to the blender. (Basic #1.)

INFINITY BOTTLE CAUTIONS

In addition to these guidelines, many experimenters offer the following cautions:

  • Strong flavors will dominate. Be careful of mixing ryes, peaty Scotches or flavored whiskeys in the bottle.
  • Add only favorite whiskeys to the mix. It is unlikely a good pour will come from a blend of whiskeys which don’t smell or taste right to the person doing the blending.
  • The whiskey in an Infinity Bottle tastes the way it does on the day it’s poured. New additions create new whiskey.
  • Drink from the bottle in rotation with other pours. Regular sips can help the blender decide what to add next.
  • Or, wait until the bottle is full before taking the first pour. Then drink from the bottle to make room for new additions. There’s something to be said for the surprise of a new pour.
  • Share infinity bottle pours with discretion. Certain friends simply won’t appreciate your efforts – you know the ones.
  • Be prepared for nay-sayers. Some will say it is a waste of good whiskey (and folly as well) to believe anyone can create a spirit which is better than what is already produced. But keep in mind, many Scotches and Japanese whiskies are blended as are ALL small batch bourbons.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Occasionally after a random pour, sometimes for a taste, or maybe to make room for the next addition, the creation will be delicious … It’s both the best AND worst moment of having an Infinity Bottle Project. Consider the options:

  • The Infinity Bottle Project’s purpose has been realized … You have become a Master Blender! Savor the moment, boast to your friends, and keep tasting and blending.
  • Some bottles get really good, then later after a pour and a couple new additions those fantastic aromas and flavors are gone. It only takes a few entries to significantly change aromas and flavors. Don’t fret – add another favorite.
  • If it’s really good, consider bottling a sample and gifting it to a friend.
  • Drink the bottle down, leaving a pour or two and begin filling it again.
  • Start a second bottle with a donation pour, then finish the bottle.
  • Keep track of additions to allow for consistent and custom blends.
  • Use readily available whiskeys and record them upon entry. Good record-keeping can help with future Infinity Bottle repetition. 
  • Don’t let the bottle empty … It’s not an infinity bottle if it empties.

Some projects start out flat and then become monsters. Be mindful of the cautions noted above … If the project gets away consider the following:

  • After a sample a pour or two, add something simple to tone the whiskey down.
  • Low proof entries can lower the heat. Rye adds spice and softness comes with wheated whiskeys. And fruity, sweet, and/or spicy pours can help add balance.
  • Sometimes it can be nice to get a bit of a shock. Even big production distilleries can and do produce misses.  (We’ve all bought a bad whiskey or two haven’t we?)

BE CAREFUL OF STRONG FLAVORS … unless a peaty, cinnamon enhanced, peach-flavored, oaky-alcohol bomb is wanted!

HOW DOES ONE BEGIN AN INFINITY BOTTLE PROJECT?

Of course every project goal will be different, but Hannah and I chose to start our Infinity Bottle Project because of our tasting discrepancies and experiences…

Those of you who have been reading us for a while, know we review some pretty high proof bourbons. (I like the heat.) In the past, I’d take the first bottle pours. After we compared our review notes, we found the aromas and flavors we jotted down were completely different. But later, when we enjoyed future pours from the reviewed bottles, our thoughts on nose, palate and finish were quite similar. We had discovered the “Neck Pour” phenomenon.

To counter the sensation, and have better consistency in our 100 proof and greater bourbon reviews, we decided to take those first pours and use them in our Infinity Bottle Project. We would then document our progress and refine our entries as our bottle began to fill.

NOTE: After three years in (and seven filled bottles), we now only add bourbons over 120 proof.

Infinity Bottle Project

For our original container, we selected a tall cylindrical bottle which held a last dram or two of Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel.  We eventually transferred our growing blend to an empty non-descript, labeless bottle.

Over the next several months, each time we opened a new bourbon over 100 proof, the first 1.5 ounce was donated to our bottle. Occasionally some spillage would happen but after each entry, the bottle was always swirled to mix the blend before being put back on the shelf. To keep track of the additions (and eventual pours) I drafted an Excel tracking sheet to monitor the evolving mash bill and the changing proof level of the blend.
(Find the free Whiskey for the Ages Infinity Bottle Worksheet download in the “Tools” section of the side bar. Use it to track your own blend as well as see the bourbons in our mix.)

HOW DOES INFINTY WHISKEY TASTE?

Naturally, I can only relay what our Infinity Bottle Project whiskey is like as of its last tasting (surely yours will be different). Click Brian’s Infinity Bottle Review or Hannah’s Infinity Bottle Review for our first comprehensive thoughts on our blend.
(From time-to-time and after future samplings, tasting notes will be updated. Access each update in our respective review libraries.)

Infinity Bottle Projects can be a fun addition to your whiskey journey and are living histories of spirit drinking exploits. Along the way, one’s palate will mature, and so will the project. Enjoy your infinite journey!

Now tap to hear our Infinity Bottle Projects Podcast.

Cheers!

Written by Brian Dawson

Whiskey for the Ages Editor

Back to …

The Sip – Whiskey Articles
Whiskey Reviews

RESOURCES*:

▪FaceBook Group: Infinity Bottle Experiment – A group dedicated to Infinity or Solera bottles.

Infinity Bottle Project

▪Reddit: r/InfinityBottle – A community dedicated to the discussion, creation and maintenance of Infinity Bottles.

Infinity Bottle Project

▪Bottle Label: Bottle Your Brand https://www.bottleyourbrand.com/ – A site for the custom creation of one-off Infinity Bottle Project labels.

Infinity Bottle Project

Tracking App: https://www.theinfinitybottle.com/

Infinity Bottle Project

*NOTE – The resources listed above do not sponsor WhiskeyfortheAges.com. Whiskey for the Ages is not compensated for their mention in this post. Please use at your discretion.