How, When, and Why To Add Water to Whiskey 

You Magnificent Bastards! Your videos helped me become a mooch! We had gone to my uncles house for Friday dinner and I started talking about the whiskey vault and whiskey biscuits channel with him. After a bit he offers to get me a glass of whiskey. I of course say yes and he pulls out some angels envy and pours me a generous serving. After commenting on the vanilla and caramel notes i was getting it he asked about whether or not i liked smokey whiskey. My answer was a resounding yes because the first whiskey i fell in love with was Caol Ila and it has me hooked ever since. He then proceeded to pull a bottle of Ardbeg Dark Cove from the back of his cabinet. After pouring a generous (more than two shots worth) amount for me in a fresh glass, he proceeded to apologize for being so stingy with his whiskey and not pouring me more. I just kept my mouth shut and enjoyed this unexpected treat. Commenting on the dark chocolate amongst the smoke i must have impressed him (as my whole family all took sniffs of the bottle and began to gag and give us grief for drinking what to them smelled like a campfire, the dirty plebeians) he said if he found any more interesting whiskey he would have to share with me. He travels quite a bit for his work so the likelihood of this is quite big. So hear this people of these channels! Talking about learning whiskey from a hobbit and a troll over the Internet does provide you with opportunities to mooch whiskey that you didn’t even know about. And it may even provide future mooching opportunity to arise.

i recently went to a local bar and ordered an Angel's Envy and asked for a water back. The bar tender looked at me and proceeded to pour a shot glass full of bottled water and cut down a bar straw to an appropriate length. He handed my drink and watched as I tasted and then added a couple of drops of water and tasted again. He nodded and said "you get it" and went about his business. I think I might have learned something from this channel.

I kind of want a friend like Rex. But at the same time I...you know...don't.

This is so f'ing funny 😂 with Rex and those bottles, it's like watching a car accident... it's so unpleasant, but you can't look away. Cool show!

That's the magic solution to my drinking problem. I can simply tell people that it's no longer Whiskey that I'm drinking.

Is Rex up to his old tricks? I think he poured the whiskeys into separate vessels off camera and refilled the bottle with colored water for his shenanigans. B&W would hide the correct color of the whisky.

Yo Daniel, I'm really happy for you. Imma let you finish, but Rex has one of the best advent calendars of all time.

I love how you guys explain things very clearly, with everyday examples and analogies. Your videos are always super informative, and I'm glad I've watched afterwards.

Haha wow Rex, uping the prank game! Interesting choice going with black and white for that bit.... Daniel, I think it's time that you start standing up to this mad man. Time to prank back ;)

I'm not going to lie, I loved the end of the video but it left a pain in my hart that I don't know how to deal with.

I'm a whisky decanter maker and I absolutely love this video, very professional.i love it

DANIEL!!! Amazing description with the skipping stone in the river and cracking it! Slainte!

It's 07:40 here in West Texas and need to watch this before finally going to sleep.

I had a CycloCross race yesterday and when I was on the fourth lap my buddy runs up to me with a blue tin cup. I assumed he was getting me some water (I don't carry any on my bike or person during races) because I'm sure I looked like I needed it. Turns out he had some Evan Williams in his trunk and thought the best thing for me at that moment was Bourbon. I agreed and drank it mid race on my bike and was wondering if this is proper Whiskey Mooching? I ended up winning my race and attribute that to Evan Williams. Thanks for all the great videos, guys.

Man idk what it is but the information sharing and y'all together is exciting while also being very relaxing.

Best shenanigans for Whiskey Biscuits yet guys. Well done, Rex.

Side question: I’ve been wanting to know... approx how much whiskey (oz) do you guys drink daily or weekly?

As a chemist, the "chemical" term doesn't bother me in this context. You are acknowledging that there are differences in this chemical vs. that chemical. Good on y'all. I think the vast majority of chemists would be frustrated with "synthetic chemicals are toxins" type information. Whiskey is 100% natural chemical experiences, as are most foods, beauty products, etc. I appreciated this video for teaching me about changes with water!

"It [water] only changes things, it does not inherently make it better." In & out of context this is a pretty nice Daniel quote. Great episode guys; nice Tojan mooching.

I truly love you guys ! I could watch for a full hour or more ! It’s so entertaining!!!

Waking up early for you guys. Yess Daniel going trough his secret stashes had me dying. The master mooch strikes again

I'm so happy I found this channel and this tribe. You guys are awesome.

I'm really liking the analogies in this one.

What an ending. Welcome back Daniel.

The ending sequence made this the funniest video yet! 😂😂😂

Ah, Rex. I so do approve of your to-go glass. Veddy nice

When I was in Sendai, Japan (near the Nikka distillery) I was drinking whiskey with a fellow I met on the trip. He told me to add water to the whiskey. Not just a couple of drops though. You just get a whiskey glass with one serving and then fill it up with water. It mildens the flavour but it is surprisingly refreshing in the Japanese summer.

Ha! Laughed out loud when you gave your first comment on the change in the Laphroaig 10 after adding water. This was because I came searching for videos on the effects of water on whisky right after I noticed specific changes in a bottle I just got, an SMWS 20-year Laphroaig 2nd-fill barrel. Before searching for videos, and finding yours among them, I said to myself, "Woah, that tiny drop of water made a big difference here. The lemon and iodine are turned down, and I'm suddenly getting OAK and chocolate on the nose. On the nose and the palate, it's noticeably DARKER." No joke. Those were my exact observations and word choices before seeing this video.

At this point, I'm basically living for these videos 🤣. This was by far the best video yet! Amazing job you magnificent bastards.

Knowledge and Hilarity.... BAM!

Been up for the past 23 hours, getting ready to crash, see's a new W.B. video, thinks to myself... Sleeps a crutch. Some great info. I personally like Laphroaig without water, will give it a try with some other stuff. next topic ice????

This is my new favorite video on thee entirety of RU-vid!!!!

Thanks for this. As a beginner I found this video so very helpful and enlightening.

that ending was great, but i cant believe you mixed them all. was it shot in black n white so we couldnt see you actually placed water in those empties and just blended water?

This video reminded me that I need a serious desk upgrade with at least one hidden compartment for... whiskey reasons.

The shenanigans are just amazing

You guys rock, knowledge, moochinegness, shenanigans, whisk(e)y, total bad-assness!

I require that advent calendar.......Also, there is nothing better than a good belly laugh first thing in the morning. Unless of course you have bacon. and more whiskey. Keep up the good work fellas.

Wonderful, top notch content as always! And thank you for answering my question! You may be right about the "break out the spreadsheet" thing, maybe I should relax my rules a tad lol

I didn’t expect the first bit of water would have made the Paddy more interesting. I guess I will have to try that with my open bottle of Tullamore Dew today. Is 7:45 AM too early for whiskey?

There are a few videos where Richard Patterson says that 38% is the sweet spot for your palate to taste the more nuanced flavors (for most people at least).

i just posted on the advent calendar that it was good without rex.... im so sorry rex, this was amazing please never leave!

Just tried this with some Green Dot. Man. Made a big difference. Thanks for the video.

Best ending yet!! Go Rex Go!!

I know the Whiskey Tribe guys always say the most important things to remember about whisk(e)y is 1) what you like to drink, and 2) how you like to drinks it. I would just another, 3) when you choose to drink it.

Nice and early... great way to start a Saturday Morning

A Very Important Thing I've learned from making cocktails and from cooking, both at home and professionally, is that dilution is not linear: you don't simply 'weaken' things by adding water. Sweetness generally disappears quicker than bitterness, for example. Adding water is a process of tuning the flavour.

This video was amazing, and the editing on point, good job guys

When I add water to laproaig 10 i can get vanilla on the noes and when drinking sometimes get mint on the very back end. Ive only been able pick these notes up with water

2nd main reason why I love whisk(e)y is the complexity of different bottles of different brands, made from different distillery. Even the combination of my favorite combination of whisk(e)ys are still as complex as what the elemental bottles were. I just love it, even the way one must drink it. It's a liquor made to be enjoyed! The main reason? well.. whenever I add water to my glass I can just always tell everyone "oh but I watered it down! so I'm safe" - shut-in alcoholic with a nice view to look at, and nice music to listen to

At the Whisky Museum in Edinburgh, the tasting stewards use a glass dropper to add a few drops to each sample. This opens the flavors by allowing oils to emerge. They don't do it any other way.

Had me HOWLIN Excellent Vacation huh Danial?

The ending made this the greatest RU-vid video I have ever seen in my life

As a poor college student trying to get into whisk(e)y drinking and who couldn’t even afford half that many bottles... that ending hurt me inside.

That skipping stone/water reference was perfect ✌️ great video

Great video. I need to start exploring with water more.

I'm in love with this channel

for the love of everything good in the world please review that whiskey

I simply must know the name of that delicious track you had playing behind your shenanigans, Rex. You know the one - the one that features Anchorman quotes.

Revenge is a dish best served.. with whisky

Never had whiskey but this is fun to watch

I am amazed a master mooch like yourself didn't try to get more than 3 whiskys for this!

I have been doing this and found that I like all of the whiskys I own with no water. Maybe this is specific to the whiskys I happen to have, but I was especially surprised by Nikka from the Barrel not particularly changing with water added. The high alcohol meant that I was able to add more water before 'losing it', but at no point did I find it improved. Lagavulin was ok with a little water, but still, if I have to choose, I prefer it as it is, maybe sitting it out for a few minutes.

Recently discovered this and Whiskey Vault as part of my journey to drinking more whiskey. What's the difference between this and the other channel?

You are right it is all so subjective and there is no right or wrong. I actually enjoy drinking some on ice, others with a few drops of water and others straight. You are also right when you say it is worth experimenting with amounts of water to see which suits you best. Allowing the whisky to stand and rest for 10 minutes or more is essential in most cases and the bottle also changes in time as the air comes into contact with it, imho it actually improves over time. Whisky ought to stimulate thought, reflection and imagination, that is all a part of the enjoyment of it. Very stimulating and informative watch guys.

The way you describe what happens to the whiskey is so damn poetic

My favorite video so far! Informative and diabolical!

Will you try the Té Bheag?... Id like to hear your tasting notes and is it friendlier than a black bottle? I'd like to slowly make my way to peatier whiskey.

You will be very hard pressed to top this one! F'ing awesome you " Magnificent Bastards!".

Please tell me at the end you used already empty bottles filled with water or something...

Oh man! The eagle just clawed the bear in its no no spot!

Whisky Tribe in the house!

At 4:17 do you re pour after every drop taste and then +1 to the previous drop count? Or do you keep adding to the same original pour? I know y'all said when you add water the oils and non water soluble compounds float to the surface and thus the following is weaker, or more diluted, in flavor. If that doesn't make sense I apologize and will try to clarify.

I like half whiskey and half water. For some reason, it makes cheap whiskey taste so much better. Am I the only one who experience this?

Yeah answered my question thanks guys

*Starts playing taps in the background*

I'd watch that Advent calendar

Duty free 1 liter Laphroaig 10 is 40%.

Daniel/Rex is there a 'right' amount of whisky for a glencairn glass? Given that the bulb is designed to hold alcohol vapours and then funnel the nose to the top, would filling the glass past the 'fatest' area or bulb affect your ability to nose the whisky?

Just bought a bottle of makers mark.... such an overwhelming taste and smell, if I go about 50/50 water, it calmed down the sweetness finally. So add whatever you want lol

Can you guys make a video on flasks? As in, when to use them, should you use them, and how long can you keep whiskey in them?

No no Rex not the Michter's!!!! This is absolutely hilarious

Awesome video, good topic

I *personally* like to add some drops of water to every whisky, sometimes difference is night and day, sometimes it barely changes.

Rex is pushing his luck..haha. Time for Whiskey Biscuits: Revenge of the Somm.

Love this! No judgment, just a fun experiment that I can duplicate at home - thanks!

Hahaha I love this!! Nice moves Rex!!

The Mooch Strikes Back

You are good people

i fucking LOVE when rex goes apeshitt on daniels office ... seen this like a million times ... and i still go LOL ! :D

Hey guys, Great video as always. You have been an inspiration to my collection and the enemy of my wallet. Like many others here I look forward to seeing the new videos every day and the rewatch sometimes to pass the time. I would love to know more about smoke in whisk(e)y. Different things use for smoke (peat, mesquite and what else?) different processes like drying barley or whatever Balcones is doing to smoke Brimstone. Would it be possible to smoke the corn in bourbon before it is put in the mash? Plus I think this would also give Rex a chance to play with fire some more. Looking forward to watching the distillery come together and what is created there. It may force me to make a trip to Texas.

What if you want to take water out is distillation the only way?

The end was just savage

Killing it softly with those pranks! Great music btw.

My heart broke at that ending. Holy shit.

I want to know that those were either all empty before. Or ... how did the blend taste?

Biggest infinity bottle ever.. you should switch it to a glass carboy and keep it for the opening of your distillery, or put it in a used oak barrel.

Man, looking at that view and your life, it seems so good!

Love the river stone analogy

When Rex was pouring the Johnnie Walker into the large bottle. I was hoping it wasn't the blue lable. The $250 johnnie Walker blue label.