Ice . . . is nice

[Richnimrod]

Short answer:

I like it either way; depending upon what I'm pouring, and my mood. Some pours seem to benefit (at least occasionally) from a cube. Some never do. I would say I drink my Bourbon neat about 60-70% of the time, once in a while with a little water, and about 20% of the time over a cube. Only very rarely do I use more than a single cube; and then it's only when I'm doing a 'jumbo' pour.

[JPBoston]

I've tried many bourbons with ice, including fairly high proofers like OGD 114 and KC120, but I just can't get into it. All I ever taste is a watered down variation of what I poured, and usually an enhanced ethanol flavor.

I wish I did like it over ice... the movies, print ads, and slick commercials make it looks delicious that way. But for some reason, it just aint for me.

I will say, I've had a few pours over ice that STARTED OFF nice, I think OF100 got a more buttery flavor IIRC... but before the one cube had melted, too much water entered the equation and I got the general tasting notes I mentioned above.

[393foureyedfox]

I've tried many bourbons with ice, including fairly high proofers like OGD 114 and KC120, but I just can't get into it. All I ever taste is a watered down variation of what I poured, and usually an enhanced ethanol flavor.

I wish I did like it over ice... the movies, print ads, and slick commercials make it looks delicious that way. But for some reason, it just aint for me.

I will say, I've had a few pours over ice that STARTED OFF nice, I think OF100 got a more buttery flavor IIRC... but before the one cube had melted, too much water entered the equation and I got the general tasting notes I mentioned above.

[hn4bourbon]

indeed...................

[deathevocation]

Mostly drink straight. Ice is only added if I'm mixing some whiskey with lemonade and perhaps, Triple Sec, in summer.

[portwood]

Normally, a cube or two to cool it a little (temperature) and release some of the flavors. Maybe 10% of the time neat. Always neat the first time that I try something. Rarely in a cocktail, unless it is the only way that I can drink a particular brand. However, if I don't like it, I can usually find someone who does so I just give it to someone who would like to try it.

I may add a little more ice (like the distilled bagged type) to higher proof bourbons (e.g., OGD 114 or a BP). Not that I don't enjoy neat but I prefer to bring the proof down a little while not diluting the flavor too much. I enjoy the flavor and would prefer a little lower proof (90 to 100) if I can enjoy a little larger pour without skunking myself.

[whiskeyobsessive]

From what I understand, he may not actually be contradicting himself, but it should probably have read release some of the aromas: we are often told that there are a number of flavor-bearing compounds in bourbon that are not very soluble in water. Once water/ice is added, these come out of solution (as they are no longer soluble in the higher water percentage) and are easier to smell. But clearly, if you keep adding water you will just dilute the whole thing. This post has a couple graphics that suggest this may have some root in reality.

[WhiskyRI]

Depends on the time of year and the particular whiskey. In the summer I've come to really love a double OFBIB on a king-cube. The ice melts slowly, the extra proof prevents it from becoming too watery and the coolness is welcome in the heat. Plus it's so cheap that you can bring a bottle to someone's house and leave it behind without any compunction. Other times of year, and with other bourbons I typically enjoy neat or with a small splash of water. When hooch crosses a certain price/rarity threshold I'm more careful about how I enjoy it. For example I don't pour my WLW or PVW20 on the rocks with a big splash of water. I could of course, it's my whiskey, but I'm not certifiably insane, or at least I haven't been certified yet.

[Smithford]

I found my way to the bourbon world via single malt scotch, so the habit of drinking neat persisted until very recently. Just in the past year or so, I've been discovering the pleasures of bourbon on ice. It's especially nice at the end of a hot day.

One bit of snobbery I can't let go of - the ice has to be made from distilled water. No tap water in my bourbon, please.

Oddly, I still can't bring myself to enjoy single malts on ice. Something about the flavor doesn't work as well.

[ebo]

I rarely ever use ice. I might add water here and there, but I just prefer my whisk(e)y neat at room temp.

[MyOldKyDram]

Yeah, even in the dead of summer I usually drink it neat. I do have some of those spherical molds though for when the mood does hit.

[mbroo5880i]

On the one hand you're saying ice dilutes the flavor, thus you don't use too much of it not to dilute it too much, OTOH it releases flavor. Maybe its too early in the morning and I haven't had my first coffee but I don't get it!?!? Which is it?

Haha....who knows how much I had to drink when I posted this.

I think what I was trying to say is that I typically add a cube for a normal pour just to chill it a little. I notice with some bourbons this also enhances the flavor experience. For example, I enjoy EC12 more with a cube of ice than without. However, it doesn't seem like the change (tweak) in flavor is solely related to dilution.

I think what whiskeyobsessive suggests is what I may be noticing. I believe aroma has a very suggestive impact on flavor.

[smokinjoe]

I failed to mention earlier that I do enjoy a few whiskey chilled. I always have an HH BIB 6 yr in the beer fridge for just such occasions. Old Forester Signature is another that works well when chilled.

[HighHorse]

I like to have my first of a new bourbon neat and decide then if I'll want the next and future pours of that particular bottle neat or with ice.

I agree that ice compliments some pours .. namely OGD114 and many of the barrel proof high rye Four Roses. The more floral FR I prefer neat with water back and maybe add one or two ice cubes. Some bourbons .. higher proof Willetts and the like can be opened up with a cube or two for me.

We got two ETL private barrels in this week and they were just enough proof to be very good. Ice would have wasted it ... as is the case with EC12 and others.

Most PVW's are too precocious for me to add ice ... maybe one cube .. no more.

I guess the deciding factor .. as many of you are saying .. ice is nice if it compliments or adds .. and doesn't detract .. from the flavor

[snifred]

I tend to drink neat most of the time, but I will put some water in some high proofers sometimes (GTS, WLW). Really depends on the day - sometimes I'll taste it neat and if it's not working for me that day, I'll add a little bit of water. Sometimes in the summer I'll use one or two cubes if I'm in the mood for bourbon but not in the mood for the warming effect of it. I don't drink anything on the rocks though, as what I like about bourbon is the smell and the taste. If the alcohol is there without tasting the way I want, I'd rather not have it at all.

I do find that the friends I've introduced to "good" bourbon usually feel like they have to drink it neat, but end up liking it that way. If they've had bottom shelf stuff and had to put it on the rocks or with water, they tend to think that's the only way they'll like it. It just usually ends up being that the quality of the bourbon is the reason for needing ice and not their palate.

The person, their palate that day, the temperature in the room, the temp outside, the bourbon in question, all make a difference. Basically I think it just depends on too many factors to give an easy answer.

[Vosgar]

A couple of years ago fishnbowljoe and I were invited by a liquor store to taste samples of WSR they'd been sent to pick from for their next private bottling. The sample I thought was head and shoulders above the rest wasn't one the store had chosen. The guy said a majority of their customers would be adding water or ice to the bourbon so they had to pick accordingly and asked me to try my choice with a little water. Completely destroyed it, going from good to crap with just a few drops of water. I'm curious if any of you ice guys have had similar experiences.

[theglobalguy]

A couple of years ago fishnbowljoe and I were invited by a liquor store to taste samples of WSR they'd been sent to pick from for their next private bottling. The sample I thought was head and shoulders above the rest wasn't one the store had chosen. The guy said a majority of their customers would be adding water or ice to the bourbon so they had to pick accordingly and asked me to try my choice with a little water. Completely destroyed it, going from good to crap with just a few drops of water. I'm curious if any of you ice guys have had similar experiences.

Absolutely. The ice maker in my freezer makes really small cubes. So for some brands/products i know from trial and error (OF and BT as an example) that regardless of proof, i need to take it real easy on the ice. Maybe 1 small cube to chill it a bit and knock the edge off, anything more than that and i may as well pour it out. Others, regardless of proof seem to hold up better to it.

[HighHorse]

. Completely destroyed it, going from good to crap with just a few drops of water. I'm curious if any of you ice guys have had similar experiences.

I think the wheated offerings are more likely to collapse with water or ice.

[squire]

This is part of what makes store selected single barrel offerings interesting, the merchant also has to be mindful of how his customers will use the product.

[TLH-Mike]

I like it cold(ER) so I always put in ice. I find that the ice does open up just about any bourbon I'm drinking and make it more favorable....

[mbroo5880i]

This is part of what makes store selected single barrel offerings interesting, the merchant also has to be mindful of how his customers will use the product.

So true! My guess is that most customers are not extreme bourbonites like members of this forum. I know a lot of bourbon drinkers and most don't drink it neat. Just had a little Four Roses SmB with one small cube and then Four Roses SB with one small cube. I am pretty happy. I might just have another...with a cube, of course.

[jonhalter]

Everything gets tasted neat first. Id say 90% of the rest gets a cube or 2. FL is hot and muggy. I like a cool drink.

[bingstein]

Everything gets tasted neat first. Id say 90% of the rest gets a cube or 2. FL is hot and muggy. I like a cool drink.

Yeah this bout sums it up and succinctly to boot

[TheNovaMan]

I tend to put ice in low quality bourbon, but I take good bourbon neat. If I'm really hot AND not in the mood for a beer (which is a rare combination), I'll add several cubes to some low quality bourbon... but I can count on one hand the number of times that has happened.

[393foureyedfox]

I find that the ice does open up just about any bourbon I'm drinking and make it more favorable....

i find it exactly opposite of this.

but, what i like about this forum is that most of the people dont slam others for their tastes/preferences. if you have something/someway that you like, thats all that matters!