Food - Drink
Why Your Water Temperature Matters When Mixing With Whiskey
By NATASHA BAILEY
While serving whiskey neat or on the rocks by itself are the most popular ways to enjoy it, some drinkers mix it with a bit of water. Water dilutes the alcohol, reducing the overwhelming burning sensation that some find unappealing and unveiling the liquor's subtler tasting notes, but there is a right and wrong way to dilute whiskey.
The temperature of the water you pour into your whiskey will greatly affect how much or how little nuance you can taste. According to Rory Glasgow, a North American single malt Scotch whisky Ambassador, our taste buds pick up flavors best between 59 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, so you'll want your whiskey to land in that range.
It's best to drink your whiskey when the liquid is about 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit, about room temp or a bit water. If you're in a cold room or your whiskey itself is cold, a splash of warm water will bump it in the right direction, and if you're in a hot environment, a splash of cold water should bring the drink to the ideal temperature.