Why you should water down your whiskey
A little H20 isn’t going to weaken your whiskey—a new study shows it’ll actually enhance its taste.
The reasons behind the flavor-intensification are mind-numbingly scientific, but it boils down to this: Whiskey includes guaiacol, which contributes to the libation’s smokiness, and researchers from the Linnaeus University Center for Biomaterials Chemistry in Sweden found that when water is added to the drink, the guaiacol is driven to the surface. And that, simply, will give your tastebuds a richer, more nuanced experience.
But be sure to start off gingerly: Too much H20, and you’ll have that anemic drink we all fear. Get it right, however, and you’ll have extra reason to raise your glass. Cheers!