Tuesday, January 18, 2011

To ice or not to ice?

One of the most commonly asked question on drinking scotch is whether to add ice to the drink?  Well, most connoisseurs of scotch will agree that it is best to drink scotch neat (nothing else added), or with a dash of water (to "open" up the flavors), and advise against adding ice to the mix.  Why?  There are two main reasons:
  1. Adding ice will "freeze" the scotch aroma and flavors, dulling the taste of the drink.
  2. As the ice melts, the water will dilute the scotch, and with it, its true flavor.
Personally, I prefer to drink my scotch at room temperature, as I feel that only at this temperature does the full flavor and aroma of the scotch truly reveals itself. 

However, it is also true that scotch is an acquired taste.  For most beginners, drinking scotch neat may simply be too harsh and over-powering.  This is fairly common, and there is no shame in adding one or two ice cubes in this case to help smooth the drinking process and make it more enjoyable. 

If you find yourself drinking your scotch with ice cubes, do consider enjoying it without ice.  It may be rough the first few tries, but I believe that once you get past that initial stage, you will be getting more out of your scotch and enjoying it a lot better.

40 comments:

  1. Replies
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  2. i marvel at your passion for scotches. keep it up

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  3. When you add ice how many ice cubes do you generally put? 1 or two?

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  4. Ice! After awhile, the ice makes it cool, (cool things down a bit ;), and also not in the actual cup, but probably in the freezer for a bit? Thats what my culture does

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  5. I've always preferred my fine liquor straight, and sipped at room temperature. To mix things up I add ice to my drink. Good discussion. I'll be back for more.

    anon-o-mayse.blogspot.com
    following and supporting.

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  6. Zen - no correct answer, all depends on your comfort zone. You want to strive towards zero ice...so the less ice you put, the better.

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  7. deff only 1 if ever use a icecube

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  8. Agreed, neat is the way to go 'mate

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  9. does it matter how big the cube(s) are? just wondering..

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  10. as always stupendous info. nicely done. keep me updated man, i'm looking forward to your next post.

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  11. I am not a huge fan of Scotch, but I haven't had it much, so I'm still acquire le taste.

    snaztoday.blogspot.com

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  12. I dont mind the taste of scotch, but when I do have some I need ice to help me out with drinking it, soon I'll be a grizzled vet

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  13. I don't care I'm icing that ishhhh I like my ish cold brah nawmsayin'

    brotosterone.blogspot.com

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  14. I'll be honest witcha, I fucking love this blog. Always very interesting. Keep it coming!

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  15. i'll have to try it without ice sometime.

    commented/clicked/followed. hit me back brah.

    flexbrah.blogspot.com

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  16. What about chilling it before drinking? This shouldn't dilute the taste

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  17. interesting blog brah check out mine

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  18. i usually like to sprinkle cocaine on my scotch before i drink.

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  19. So much dignity. Following.

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. No ice... Ever! That's my vote but a few drops of water improves every (fine) whiskey in my opinion.

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