When I used to drink to get drunk I stumbled on the method of drinking whisky with water. Nothing special, just Bells or Famous Grouse, topped up with half a glass or so of water. Enough to dilute it for easy, quick drinking.
I haven't drank like that for a long time. When I started to drink for the taste and experience rather than the effects of alcohol, one of the first things I tried was single malt. I drank it neat, a small measure and sipped it slowly, spending time with it, trying to pick out the flavour notes, the aromas, the finish. Never more than a glass at a time. It was enjoyable, but I always had to take very small sips, due to the intense, spikiness from the high alcohol content. That was maybe 10 years ago. Now, I drink even less frequently but in much the same way. Until three nights ago. That day, I'd been very impressed after reading one of the stories from Hemmingway's 'In Our Time', a story where Nick and Bill decide to get drunk. They drink Irish whisky first, then a bottle of scotch, and both with water. When they have the first drink, Nick says he likes the smokey taste, which leads to a discussion about peat. On one of the subsequent refills, Bill asks Nick "how much water", and he replies, "about the same".
Later that same evening, I was half way through a film when the story from earlier in the day popped into my head and I decided to have a glass of scotch. Single malt, whisky and water, equal parts. It was revelation. I could discern all of the flavours but without the roughness of drinking it neat, or the wishy washiness of being over diluted. It was still intense but very, very palatable. It was so enjoyable, so delicious, such a thrilling and new experience that when I finished it I immediately poured myself another.
Maybe I drank the first glass a little quickly or maybe I'm just not used to it, but it went straight to my head. So much so that, as I settled down for the second glass, after the first sip my old instinct kicked in and my first thought was "more water". I topped it up and instantly realised my mistake. For the rest of the glass it was like drinking in the old days, over diluted, with none of the intense, complexity of the first, wonderful glass. I suppose somethings, when they're that great, just can't be repeated.
I haven't drank like that for a long time. When I started to drink for the taste and experience rather than the effects of alcohol, one of the first things I tried was single malt. I drank it neat, a small measure and sipped it slowly, spending time with it, trying to pick out the flavour notes, the aromas, the finish. Never more than a glass at a time. It was enjoyable, but I always had to take very small sips, due to the intense, spikiness from the high alcohol content. That was maybe 10 years ago. Now, I drink even less frequently but in much the same way. Until three nights ago. That day, I'd been very impressed after reading one of the stories from Hemmingway's 'In Our Time', a story where Nick and Bill decide to get drunk. They drink Irish whisky first, then a bottle of scotch, and both with water. When they have the first drink, Nick says he likes the smokey taste, which leads to a discussion about peat. On one of the subsequent refills, Bill asks Nick "how much water", and he replies, "about the same".
Later that same evening, I was half way through a film when the story from earlier in the day popped into my head and I decided to have a glass of scotch. Single malt, whisky and water, equal parts. It was revelation. I could discern all of the flavours but without the roughness of drinking it neat, or the wishy washiness of being over diluted. It was still intense but very, very palatable. It was so enjoyable, so delicious, such a thrilling and new experience that when I finished it I immediately poured myself another.
Maybe I drank the first glass a little quickly or maybe I'm just not used to it, but it went straight to my head. So much so that, as I settled down for the second glass, after the first sip my old instinct kicked in and my first thought was "more water". I topped it up and instantly realised my mistake. For the rest of the glass it was like drinking in the old days, over diluted, with none of the intense, complexity of the first, wonderful glass. I suppose somethings, when they're that great, just can't be repeated.