Experiments with ice

[PuckJunkie]

On a lark, I tried several of my whiskies on the rocks this evening. Some are pretty good on ice. Some are average. Others... really should not be put on ice.

Rare Breed is so good I'm just going to finish the night with it. Definitely the winner; the spicy quality really comes through, and I usually put a touch of water in it anyway. Macallan 12 was the only other I tried that was very drinkable on ice. I feel bad for having wasted even the one ounce or so of the others. In general, sherried whiskies did well, oaky ones were average at best, and the one Islay I could bring myself to try was abysmal.

Puck

[Muskrat Portage]

Puck;
Yeah, when it's hot, I have been known, twice now, to put in ice and let it melt 1/2 way. Makes a lovely cooling and thirst quenching dram. Tried it with Balvenie 10 yo and a Glenfiddich 12 yo. Completely changes the character for me, as I generally dram neat or with a "mithers' tear" of aqua. Not bad, merely different.
Muskrat Portage

[Choochoo]

No ice in Single Malts for me, that just dosen't work to my tatse. I do put an ice cube or three into Bourbon, I very much enjoy that.

[Deactivated Member]

I'm surprised at the polling results. I'd have thought it would be heresy to drink Bruichladdich Rocks any other way -

it's what it was made for!

[PuckJunkie]

I'm not surprised - this is a forum largely made up of people heavily into their malts, and there's no question that you get a better sense of the whisky without ice.

The problem I was running into wasn't the initial taste, especially with the Macallan 12 and the WT Rare Breed, which both worked really well on ice. The problem was fifteen minutes later when I was left with two wafer-sized ice cubes floating in whisky-flavored water. At that point, Macallan and Rare Breed taste remarkably similar to JW Red and Jim Beam, respectively. I suppose I'll have to be drinking faster next time.

Puck

[Deactivated Member]

You could put the whiskey in the freezer.

[Deactivated Member]

... still masks the flavour, though

[Muskrat Portage]

"Nick":
Actually, I've drammed some Aberlour A'Bunadh batch 13 outside at -40 while BBQ'g (was it only last month? ) and the flavour was still there. It was a pleasant experience, if you're acclimatised to it. Musky Pete

[irishwhiskeychaser]

Sometimes, but I'll never admit it.... oh crud the secret is now out...

I've only done it twice in about 4 years an both weree this month with bourbon in the sun on the advice of a few of our stateside cousins and I really enjoyed it.

Not tried it with Irish or Scotches yet

[Paul A Jellis]

It's too hot for ice, by the time I get it home from the shops it has melted!

Cheers, Paul

[Aidan]

I've had whisk(e)y with ice. Am I still allowed post on the board?

[Deactivated Member]

I've had whisk(e)y with ice. Am I still allowed post on the board?

Only this one

[bamber]

Over the last few weeks we've had some hot weather and I've enjoyed many a whisk(e)y, with ice.

Sure it kills the nose dead. but some whisk(e)ys really change in flavour profile and it is nice to try them in another 'state'.

Ice - good for tasting, probably not. Good for drinking, definitely for a change.

[irishwhiskeychaser]

I've had whisk(e)y with ice. Am I still allowed post on the board?

We'll just give you the yellow card this time

[Jan]

I've had whisk(e)y with ice. Am I still allowed post on the board?

No, you should be punished! As a fine, you should right away send me your bottle of Ardbeg 1977, then you will be forgiven

Cheers
Jan