Barrel Proof Straight Whiskey: Air & Water

[GeeTen]

6 hours ago, Clueby said:

What I heard was: 

 

 

Hey, I understood every word . . . Makes perfect sense to me!   Now where's that bottle of 2015 WLW???   

 

[Harry in WashDC]

23 hours ago, Whiskeythink.com said:

Water amount is strictly subjective, & differs for each whiskey. Experimentation is key. Small amounts so not to drown it. And as Richnimrod says, small sips. Plus chew it. Gulps are for Fireball, if one must.

(I haven't finished reading the thread, but this caught my eye, and I had to comment - big surprise, eh?).

 

Experimentation is the key, indeed.  I've even found that my mood can have an effect on HOW MUCH water I add to bourbon I feel like drinking.  The 2014 GTS (Thanks, Joe P., I am STILL beholden) comes to mind.  Some nights I can sip it neat if I take small sips (like Rich) but on other nights (not very often, though), I must have a few drops of water.  The 4R CS/BP/whatever store picks almost always require water for me.  However, it took quite a bit of sipping to realize I always wanted a little water in them (unlike the GTS).

 

Haven't yet started making notes on cards or on the bottles, but as the memory slows down . . . 

[Paddy]

^^^I'm with you Harry, I think the 4R BP's really 'shine' with a few drops (some more than others). 

 

They all have a sweet spot.  Our job is to find it! 

[Harry in WashDC]

7 hours ago, t-ball said:

Newbie question.  I am assuming tap water is not the way to go because of chemicals and God only knows what else is in there. Never had bourbon with water.  Willing to try .  Do I use distilled or spring water ? 

There are some old threads on "what water . . .?"  Here's the middle of one - https://www.straightbourbon.com/community/topic/24106-how-to-tone-down-too-sweet/#comment-503112

 

Well water works fine.  Some city water has sufficient fluoride and other chemicals to slightly alter the flavor although letting it sit on the counter for an hour so so may be enough to make the change insignificant.  Distilled or still bottled (Deer Park) or some unsparkling mineral waters are preferred by others.  There's even a water, discussed in a thread I couldn't find quickly (well, "Hinterland" is on, and I'm a little distracted), bottled in Kentucky that promotes itself as being the water bourbon is made from or some such.

 

I'd suggest an experiment - over several days, pour a measured amount of bourbon in a glass and then taste it each night and then add a different type of, but  the same amount of, water each night and make notes on the difference.

 

From experience, I'd also suggest you make notes because you'll never remember everything you tasted, smelled, and felt.  Also, try not to eat weird foods while doing this.

 

Repeat every month or so.  About the third year, you'll know what works when.  AND, while you are doing this, enjoy the journey.

Edited December 2, 2016 by Harry in WashDC
SPELLING ERRORS OMG!!

[Harry in WashDC]

57 minutes ago, Paddy said:

^^^I'm with you Harry, I think the 4R BP's really 'shine' with a few drops (some more than others). 

 

They all have a sweet spot.  Our job is to find it! 

Tonight, the OBSK with an ice cube, melted, takes it down to about 102 proof IIRC.  I don't remember the age, but when "Hinterland" is over, I'll get a second one and try to remember to check.  EDIT - 10 yrs, 29 days; 52.6% ABV which means probably 98 or so proof w/the small cube (from an ice maker that's pretty consistent, and I've previously measured them).

Edited December 2, 2016 by Harry in WashDC