Should you put water in a malt whisky or not?

Question

I was bought up to believe that malt whisky should not be ruined by adding water. My mate reckons adding water is actually the correct way. Is there a right and wrong way so to speak?

Answer 1

Depends on how much. A little bit of water (a teaspoon or two in a glass) will "open out" the flavour and can actually make the whisky tastier. I find its better to add water to the south Islay malts, it works very well opening up the peatiness.

With the smoother malts from Speyside, especially the really smoothe ones water can make them a little bit insipid.

Any malt will be spoiled if you add too much water. I think this is where the "no water in malt" comes from: to many people a "whisky and water" is around 50:50 water:whisky. At that level of dilution you will get rid of most of the character of the malt and might as well save your money and go for a cheap blend.

Answer 2

Adding water to a malt whisky is like peeing in the shower - the height of ignorance and bad taste!

Answer 3

HOW SHOULD ONE DRINK SCOTCH & WHISKY?
"In whatever way gives you enjoyment and pleasure. This depends entirely on your individual taste and on the occasion. Scotch Whisky is a versatile drink, superb in its own right and a fine mixer in any company. It is frequently served on its own or with a little water, but it can also be a refreshing ‘long’ drink with ice and a mixer. Scotch Whisky itself presents a whole range of flavours which can be extended by the addition of soda or mineral water, lemonade, ginger ale or other mixers. Increasingly, blended Scotch is being appreciated as a drink which can be served during a meal in place of wines while single malts are growing in popularity as aperitifs and after dinner drinks."

Personally I like a little ice to cool it down some (don't care for warm drinks in the summer here in Vegas). Otherwise it depends on the Scotch. Johnny Walker Green and certain Islays need a bit of spring water to me, but that is just me.

Answer 4

It's up to you and what you like. Some whisky experts advocate adding a few drops of water to bring out the flavours of the malt, but don't drown it by adding too much.

Try it and see what you like, don't feel you have to abide by other people's likes or dislikes.

Answer 5

You can add anywhere from a few drops to half the volume per your taste. Most prefer a few drops. A few drops of water will break the phenolics chemical bonds and release more of the aromatics to your nose. The smell of the scotch is as important as the taste. It will also lessen the harshness of the higher phnolic scotches..Laphroig for one. The bottom line is that its entirely to your taste. Don't ever add ice. The ice numbs your tastebuds.

Answer 6

Fred used to have a scotch and threat,for myself i would not put anything in malt whiskey apart from another one,i suppose the next question on here is who-is Fred

Answer 7

No not in Malt Whisky,as it is not a blended Whisky. If you wish to add water or a mixer,then use blended!

Answer 8

The only water that should be added to malt, is water from the spring that it was made from.

Answer 9

Some straight malts need no water at all, some do. Some drinkers, ditto, ditto. Depends on your personal taste. Get on with it, there's no law either way.

Answer 10

Your friend is correct a tiny splash of water opens it up allowing the rich flavours of the scotch to surface, kind of like letting a wine breath. I guess you could say a good whiskey needs a small sip itself.