Do you prefer to take it neat or with ice?
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Do you prefer to take it neat or with ice?
You, my friend, have just opened a can of worms. I believe there are topics covering this if you search. I enjoy to "taste" my bourbon rather than to "drink" it. I feel that I can get many more flavors, in nose and palate, if it is at room temperature. Some of the higher proof ones I will dilute slightly to bring out more flavors, sometimes. If I am enjoying a healthy pour, of say Wild Turkey 101, with my dinner, I will generally throw a few ice cubes in it.
So, I guess neat is my preference for enjoying my bourbons.
I used to drop a cube or two in to soften the burn a bit, but now only drink it neat. I made the switch a while back and feel I get better sensory perceptions (taste, smell, and mouthfeel) neat.
Same here, I used to drink exclusively on the rocks, but since reading this group, finding out about better bourbons, etc., I now almost always drink it neat. The only exception might be at a party/gathering where I'm not paying close attention to the subtleties of the drink.
-Kevin
At any temperature that is conducive to human beings.
At first I enjoyed my bourbon on ice, and I still enjoy it that way on a sunny summer afternoon, but soon after I started appreciating good whiskey I began drinking it mostly neat. I still prefer my bourbon slightly cooler than room temp; call it cellar temp-around 65 degrees. But since I don't have a cellar big enough for my wine and my bourbon, I usually end up drinking it at room temperature most of the year.
Both ways.Quote:
Originally Posted by thecrackup
Tim
Ice,neat, fresh out of the freezer. Its all good and depends on my mood.
Usually neat.
Sometimes with a little water, especially if it is a high-proofer.
Rarely over ice.
Occasionally in a mixed drink, usually a manhattan or a whiskey sour.
Sometimes with water back (i.e., water on the side).
Sometimes with a beer back.
Bartenders love it when someone orders "Wild Turkey, neat, with a beer back." It makes them, and you, feel manly. Be warned that if you don't also call the beer (i.e., name a brand) you will get their "well" draft, whatever it is. Maybe it will be PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) and you will feel so manly you won't be able to stand it.
What Chuck said applies to me exactly, except sometimes my beer is "front". :) I like the beer before the whiskey that is, sometimes just half a glass is enough. Other times a true back of beer is appreciated. It depends on mood, what I've been eating, etc. At Bettye Jo's recently there were some excellent beers and they went well with the whiskey, I found, but as always, moderation is necessary.
Gary