Ice . . . is nice

[JimmyLikesRye]

I like to stir a little ice into the bourbon to cool it down, and then *remove* the ice to prevent further dilution. I think this gives the best of both approaches. And I'll start with a chilled glass to improve the result.

[humchan2k]

I like to stir a little ice into the bourbon to cool it down, and then *remove* the ice to prevent further dilution. I think this gives the best of both approaches. And I'll start with a chilled glass to improve the result.

I like the way you think, JimmyLikesRye.

[DrBob]

I seem to prefer my bourbon diluted to about 33-36% ABV and use ice to dilute. I use a dilution calculator and Ice cubes with known volumes to get into that range.

For example ECBP @67% makes my pour 1oz with a 1 oz cube (34% ABV)

WTRB @54% makes my pour 2 oz with a 1 oz cube (36% ABV)

EWSB @43% makes my pour 2 oz with a 0.5 oz cube (34% ABV)

Granted I am drinking it while the ice melts, so I start out near full proof and end up more watered than ~35% but its what I like

[mhatzung]

A couple of nights ago, we were having dinner at a restaurant. I ordered a KC neat. When the drink came, it was on ice and not wanting to be snobbish, I told the waitress it was okay. The first couple of swallows, the Knob was very tasty and I was enjoying it. As the ice melted, it began to loose its flavors and I felt like I was just drinking watered down alcohol.

The waitress came back with a very generous pour on the house, neat this time. She said she had ordered the KC the first time just as I had said it, 'neat'. When she quizzed the bartender, she told the waitress she thought neat meant without fruit! I guess being relatively new to bourbon, I just didn't realize Knob Creek is normally served with oranges and lemons. She was just actually filling in because of an illness of the regular bartender.

Anyway, back on thread, I ended up adding just a bit of water to the neat Knob to match the beginning of the rocks drink and totally enjoyed it.

I think I need to try one of those big ice cubes I read about on this forum all the time. I assume it chills it without melting fast.

[mhatzung]

A couple of nights ago, we were having dinner at a restaurant. I ordered a KC neat. When the drink came, it was on ice and not wanting to be snobbish, I told the waitress it was okay. The first couple of swallows, the Knob was very tasty and I was enjoying it. As the ice melted, it began to loose its flavors I felt like I was just drinking watered down alcohol. The waitress came back with a very generous pour on the house, neat. She said she had ordered the KC the first time just as I said it, 'neat'. When she quizzed the bartender, she told the waitress she thought neat meant without fruit! I guess being relatively new to bourbon, I just didn't realize Knob Creek is normally served with oranges and lemons. She was actually just filling in because of an illness of the regular bartender.

Anyway, back on thread, I ended up adding just a bit of water to the neat Knob to match the beginning of the rocks drink and totally enjoyed it.

I think I need to try one of those big ice cubes I read about on this forum all the time. I assume it chills it without melting fast.