How do you drink it?

[idpa2000]

I like my bourbon in a short tumbler with one or two large ice cubes. I like to listen while the bourbon has its way with the cubes. After about a minute the cubes "POP". Then after about three minutes the bourbon is suffiecently cooled and ready for my indulgence. Scotch is a different story. I only drink Scotch about two or three times a year when at my brother's house. He always has good scotch. A scotch drink is always neat in a short tumbler. Scotch as well as bourbon should never be over indulged. I break this rule too often but always return for more.

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

Hi Bob,

OGD 114 sometimes burns my throat, but when that happens cutting it doesn't help much, even when cutting it fifty fifty. Right this minute it doesn't require any water at all. Wonderful!

Booker's? Cut Booker's? To my palate Booker's never needs water. Never. Stagg, though, I almost always have to cut to around 100 proof. A few ounces into the evening and I can drink it straight.

Ed

[PFC]

Well, when I just want to relax I use my Glencairn-glass adding only a very small icecube. I like it a bit cool, it gets that ultimate dessert-like quality that I can't get enough of. If I try different bourbons at the same time I use tulip-shaped tasting glasses adding only small amounts of water. Ice tends to kill the nose quite a bit.

In the fantastic book "The Book of Bourbon - And Other Fine American Whiskeys" by Gary Regan and Mardee Haidin Regan (1995) they ask the distiller masters how they prefer their bourbon. Only Jimmy Russel said he sometimes preferred it neat. The majority liked it on the rocks with or without a splash of water. David Backus of George Dickel wanted it on ice cut 50/50 with water. To me that sounds extremely diluted, I mean, whats left of the whiskey? Anyway, drink it the way you like it, the pro's do.

[reg]

in a shot glass, but only 3/4 full.

[AVB]

What he said.

I like mine neat, in a brandy snifter. The only time I add a splash of water is for the high proof stuff over about 110.

Joe

[BrbnBorderline]

Neat, neat, and neat. Usually with an ice water back.

[fogfrog]

Well, what if you are having a not-so-great bourbon? Such as Old Grand Dad 86, regular Evan Williams, or regular Old Forester. To me, bourbons like that beg for a few ice cubes.

Not so great? Hey, I think Evan Williams is GREAT!

[fogfrog]

OK Ratcheer, that being said, ... yes, some of these are GREAT with Sprite!

[fogfrog]

BUT, I am drinking AAA 10YO with Sprite now and to tell you the truth, the sprite tastes a lot better with Wild Turkey!

[Ambernecter]

Usually with Dr. Pepper but on the odd special occasion I'l have it with cough mixture!

[GoodDrinkin]

Count me as one of those wierdos that like the Reidel glassware. I haven't had the opportunity to try the bourbon glasses, but I do like the single malt scotch ones. To me they do a better job of giving you the prooper aroma without the alcohol burn. Maybe my nose is wierd, but when drinking neat bourbon in an old fashioned glass I get to much alcohol in the scent.

I drink most high end bourbons neat. On occaision, like with Bookers, I will use one ice cube. If I'm drinking socially at a party I'll go with a bigger glass and plenty of ice. Cheaper bourbons, or when at a football tailgate, usually go with Coke or Sprite.

[Nebraska]

This was one of the early threads I read after joining the board. I wanted to get an appreciation of what the right way was to drink bourbon, since before I had only been drinking VG 90 in a glass full of cubes and water. I still like it that way from time to time. Especially when it's warm out on the patio.

Currently I have found that I like to try new pours neat in what equates to a jigger glass, then after a sip or two add one cube (thanks one cube only). I like what this does. I feel like I get the full spectrum on what I'm tasting. Starting out room temperature, then adding a cube, which slowly starts to cool and dilute the mixture. Water at varying degrees from the cube as it melts seems like it aids me in recognizing flavors I couldn't find as well, I think because in most cases, proof gets in the way of my taste buds.

I do know one thing for sure, I tried a few variations on the way to get to this point and I know as time goes on I'll try many more. I'm still working on a favorite glass or style of glass. As with anything, half the fun is the trip getting there.

It would be interesting to revive this thread every year or two and see if age or other factors have had any influence on people's preferences.

Mark/Nebraska

[Geekboy]

I love old fashioneds. I'm finding that the more of them I drink the less bitters and sugar I am adding and am finely getting to where I am getting closer to appreciating more of the taste of the whiskey.

I think the old fashioned cocktail is the best tasting liquid on the planet period. I hope one day I can go all 'neat.'

[GoodDrinkin]

I too like the old fashioned, but with a caveat. I like them made in the way described by David Wondrich in his Esquire Drinks book. Sugar, bitters, soda water, whiskey. No muddled fruit.

I also find that old fashioneds work best with hearty bourbons or rye. I like Makers Mark, but it makes a weak old fashioned to me. Wild Turkey on the other hand makes a fine old fashioned!

[pepcycle]

Soda water may be a bastardization of this cocktail as is the muddled fruit.

Try it without it.

[BourbonSteve]

neat in a highball glass. Often one cube of ice goes in first. It just does something to the drink, it's not CUBES of ice that get all melted over time and it's not cut with water. Just one cube and the rest neat, try it you'll like it.

[mrt]

I usually drink neat, especially when I try a bourbon for the first time. However, I can prefer on the rocks or even a mix. with tonic water, depending on my mood. Mint julep is also very good alternative.

BTW, bourbon and tonic water mix on the rocks garnished with a slice of lime really tastes very well :yum: a bit sour, fresh, cool,...

[GoodDrinkin]

Soda water may be a bastardization of this cocktail as is the muddled fruit.

Try it without it.

I've used both. I only use enough water to dissolve the sugar. I don't taste a discernable difference. I suppose if you used more than and ounce or so it would be noticable. I usually use regular water since I don't often have an open bottle of soda.

[Whiskey River]

I enjoy bourbon best neat. Although, I do cut Bookers with enough water, to bring it down to 110 PF. To hot to taste at 126 PF, for me.