Scotches DESIGNED to be taken on the rocks

[Ihasadram]

I like to use ice to "open up" certain drams. For example, Bruichladdich Rocks and Bunnahabhain 12. I typically enjoy a Tobermory 15 or Tallisker 18, both taken neat, but sometimes I just have a craving for something like the Bruichladdich Rocks.

Unfortunately, I've learned that Bruichladdich Rocks is no longer available in the US, so I am enjoying Bunnahabhain 12 right now. While researching availability, I came across a statement regarding Bruichladdich Rocks that it was "designed to be 'very much as an early evening, long whisky on the rocks,' aimed at the overseas market as stated by then master distiller Jim McEwan in Whisky Dream Waking A Giant."

I would like to know if there are any other scotches that are actually "designed" to be taken on the rocks. Is that a common niche?

[Diademo]

I've never understood concept of "overseas market"? or why people in those "markets"? are predisposed to drink whisky with ice. For sure is nothing to do with heat or weather otherwise people in southern Spain would drink all spirits on rocks.

[opelfruit]

I think it's a perception thing. Most people you ask think that you drink scotch on the rocks, probably because of TV.

In terms of whisky made to be consumed on the rocks; pretty much everything from the big players at entry level downwards.

Most of the big distilleries target a big a market share at they can and they know that most of the consumers will be either drinking their entry level whiskies over ice or with a mixer so they don't go out of their way to make it any better than they have to to get away with it. Most of the major blends are designed to be mixers or consumed on ice which is why most of them are bobbins, you don't need it to be complex or very good if you are drowning it...you just want a "whisky" taste to whatever you are mixing it with.

In terms of "opening up" whisky, including ice will do nothing more than closing it up. Lower it's temperature will restrict the movement of the volatile compounds in the whisky so you'll loose the nose. You palate will have to work harder to warm it up in your mouth so the aromas can go through your soft palate (most of our taste is our smell).

Adding ice also dilutes over time, making the mouthfeel of the whisky lighter, actually maximum viscous synergy in an alcohol (ethanol)/water mixture is reached at 46% abv, any lower or any higher and it drops off.


.....so adding ice is basically stopping the nose, restricting the flavour and ruining the texture of the whisky in the mouth



Each to their own though, it's drunk how it's drunk.

I'd do a lighter whisky, maybe a decent blend in a long drink with soda if I wanted a refreshing whisky tasting drink on a hot summers day.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[Quaich1]

I can honestly say I have never tasted any scotch with ice and considering the variety of single malts and scotch blends I have had over these many years, that is saying something. I do occasionally use very small amounts of room temp water but it is quite infrequent and usually only with certain very high % abv drams after having the same dram neat. I also drink Canadian rye whiskies the same way as my scotch. I have heard some folks add ice to some Scottish blends but frankly adding ice to single malts to me is ruining a proper dram. However, once paid for, a bottle can be consumed any which way one desires. The main problem with ice is its numbing effect on the palate and reduction in the breath of aromatic profile of the whisky in my opinion on the nose based on the effect of ice on the alcohol itself. Having said that, I know many folks who drink rye and coke with ice. Cheers.

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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[Whisky Dog]

Its all to do with personal preference and everyone should drink whisky how they enjoy it but it is really a waste to add ice to a single malt without first at least trying it straight. Ice does dull and dilute the flavour and I dare say harshness in some blended whiskies and it is not then surprising that the manufacturers still promote this type of serve and I guess it could make a whisky a little more refreshing on a warm day but adding ice isn't for me.

[Ihasadram]

I put "open up" in quotes because that's what people seem to call it, and I've seen the phrase used in articles, but it never really made much sense to me. I like to use rocks on drams that seem overly intense to me. It just makes them more balanced to me. For some, adding water allows me to detect underlying flavors that are covered up by something intense without the water in there. For example, Ardbeg 10 doesn't seem sweet at all when I take it neat, but the water from putting it on the rocks really brings out the sweetness to me.

[Diademo]

When I was living in Asia I've been doing quite a lot business in Cambodia. Most people I met were drinking whisky (always JW Green Label) with lemon soda - and they were drinking it before, during and after the meal. It's logical: there was/is lack of electricity for cooling devices, culture is different, local spirits taste awful, humidity is incredible: but for god's sake, why people in some developed counties, with all available information and common knowledge still trying to drown their single malts and kill all those different, complex and beautiful aromas is beyond me (adding water to open it up is completely other story). Unfortunately I understand this rather well (was working in int. marketing for 20+ years) but I can't comprehend the shallowness of the argument (similar as David Driscoll thesis about close correlation between whisky boom and success of the show Mad Man; probably we will all start chain smoking again:).
Of course is personal preference and I respect this but is incredible that so many whisky drinkers in "overseas markets"? still falls for these marketing stunts.

[sorren]

The only rocks that should've with your scotch are the ones you sit on beside the ocean or lake while actually enjoying the whisky in your glass ... Of course this is only my opinion,

[Quaich1]

[TheWM]

One of my best mates insists on ice with his whisky. I'm getting to a point that I'm going to start not bringing out the good stuff when he's around. I mean the other day we were out and at great expense I bought some Yamazaki 18 in a bar. There was ice at the bar. He literally put in about 6-7 cubes gave it an almighty swirl. And then let it rest for a while tasted it an announced it was a good one. Really? How the f**k can you tell? And then he chews the ice after which is another story...

[sorren]

Lmao I can feel the heat from your blood boiling ... It's as they say, there is no wrong way to drink your scotch ... SAYS WHO !!! Lol it's a crime, that's what it is a bl***y crime ...

[TheWM]

I say live and let live. Drink it how you want to.

UNLESS

The way that you drink becomes offensive to others.

Drinking good whisky with ice offends me, so please do not do it in my presence!!!

[sorren]

I just don't have any ice in the house.. End of story