Ice Vs Water Vs Soda: The Conundrum Of The Indian Whisky Connoisseur
Across Indian whisky drinking cultures, connoisseurs who are well-versed in the complex tasting notes of the spirit do end up encountering one conundrum: whether to serve whisky with ice, water or soda. Each one has a different effect on the flavours and complexities of the spirit, right from how many of its flavours and aromas open up with the addition of each mixer to how far they can influence more robust and pronounced spirit.
Evidently, choosing which mixer to add to a whisky at a tasting experience can depend largely on the different flavour notes the spirit embodies and how ice or water or even soda interacts with these tastes. Moreover, each mixer has a role to play in influencing the rate of dilution of the spirit, which means how much of ice or soda or water to add to the spirit is also the result of careful deliberation about the occasion at which the whisky is being served and the type of whisky offered for the tasting.
Here’s a breakdown of adding each of these to whisky and how they impact taste and dilution – and how the addition of each is influenced by a connoisseur’s understanding of different whiskies:
Ice As A Connoisseur’s Preferred Choice
Different whisky connoisseurs across Indian cultures prefer adding ice to whisky. Serving about 30 ml of smoky, peated whisky in a rocks glass over a bed of ice is their go-to alternative as ice chills the spirit, and also dilutes the whisky at a slower rate. In tropical climes, ice then feels like the choice of mixer, especially on summer evenings.
However, significant to note is that as the ice melts, it also starts to mute the spirit’s complexity at a gradual pace, which means that it can flatten the delicate notes especially in those whiskies that carry subtle fruity or spicy flavours. That’s why, although ice is well-suited to malty and deeply flavoured whiskies, it might dull the flavours in lighter and fruitier spirits.
Soda As The Highball Mixer
What accompanies ice in a simple highball is soda. Ice and soda come together in an easy companionship in Indian whisky tasting spaces where the whisky and soda category is almost a cocktail of its own. Bringing together 30 ml good quality whisky with about 45 ml Black Dog Soda or any other premium soda of choice leads to the creation of a chilled, fizzy blend that lightens the more robust notes of the whisky while adding a bubbly touch to the cocktails.
All at once, a simple fruity or smoky whisky transforms into a stunning concoction when it is mixed with a good fizzy soda. Widely preferred at cocktail parties and social gatherings, soda becomes an interesting addition to blended Scotches and bourbons.
Also Read: Club Soda vs. Tonic Water: Who Wins In The Battle Of The Mixers?
A Splash Of Water
And then there is water. Among whisky connoisseurs, a splash or a few drops of water added to a whisky at a tasting experience remains the most preferred choice of mixer. Infusing about 30 ml of quality whisky with about a splash of Black Dog Water or any other blended water of choice better unlocks the flavours of the spirit.
This is especially the case when it comes to premium single malts, whose deeper aromas become that much more prominent with the addition of water. Moreover, blended waters tend to match the minerality of the same water that was used to craft the whisky, making this an even more premium tasting experience. Evidently, water is the connoisseur’s pick at guided tastings featuring premium whiskies.
Finishing Notes…
Ultimately, whether to add ice or water or soda depends as much on the type of whisky as the connoisseur’s taste preferences and the intended use of the spirit. While soda can slightly subdue the flavours of the whisky and works well as a cocktail mixer, ice is excellent for evening gatherings, and water is the most well-suited addition to open up a whisky’s flavours at a guided tasting.
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