Do not add ice.......

Tonight at Big Ben (Kenilworth), I came upon a great realisation. This issue has irked me always, but well, ...... live and let live has been my policy. Hence though it irked me, it never annoyed me. Today, it was different.

The issue is...Why do people drink their Scotch on the rocks...... with ice. I think it's a waste of good liquor. Funnily enough the Americans are the ones who do it more often than others. The Americans anyway have a lot to learn. They can put this learning procedure on their long list of 'things-to-learn'.

What is more, the wannabe Delhites, the corporate yuppies, the Bongs, the Diggas and the who-have-you from all over India seems to be drinking their whisky on the rocks. Rather strange, because whisky is not the correct thing to drink in these warm tropical climates. But then again, most of these affluent wannabes are cocooned in air-conditioned comfort all the time.....so never mind the tropical heat !!!

The word whisky comes from the word uisgegaugh (or usquebaugh) meaning 'the water of life'. A great tribute to a very noble drink. But when whisky is poured on ice cubes (or ice cubes put in the whisky), it freezes the aroma and the smell, and only dulls the taste/flavour and smell of the whisky. Moreover, the ice melts, and dilutes the whisky in degrees, thereby changing the taste with every sip. The last sip is therefore the most dilute, and yet warmer (no ice) than the first extremely cold.This reverse process is not what this noble drink should undergo.

Chilled whisky does not readily yield up its aromas and the addition of ice will close them down altogether.

Whisky should be single malt. Made in Scotland. Each district of Scotland has their individual brew with their highly individual taste and aroma. Tallisker (Isle of Skye) is different from Dalwhinnie (Highland) or Glenfiddich or Craggmore or JW Blue Label or Glenlivet. A single malt is the best whisky and should preferably be drunk neat at room temperature (the room temperature of the Scottish Highlands is of course 15 degree Celsius). Water.... just a little bit of water ..... may enhance the taste, but ice will surely kill it.

The blended whiskies come next J&B, Cutty Sark, JW (Red, Black, Gold), Black Dog etc. These too can be drunk neat, or with a little water. Spring water is ideal.

Irish whiskey is very different, yet very, very good. Once again, ice kills the flavour, and all good Irish whiskies like Jamieson, Old Bushmills, Tulamore Dew should be had neat, or with a little water.

The Americans ...... remember they still have a lot to learn........ make their whiskey (note the changed spelling) with maize and corn and call it it bourbon. One has to acquire a taste for it. Canadian whisky is once again different from the Scotch of Scotland. And heaven forbid, I hear whisky is now distilled in Japan and also in Zimbabwe. I hope my informer is wrong !!!!

In India whisky is considered to be a fashionable drink. The young trendsetters (no gender bias here) gulp down Indian blended whisky on the rocks, with chilled water, with a Coca Cola, even cocktails. I wonder if they know that Indian whisky is nearly always made from molasses, and hence may well be termed as rum outside of the Indian subcontinent.

A true lover of Scotch will drink his whisky with a little clear water. Adding a little water to the whisky before drinking will prevent the strength of the whisky numbing the senses and increasing the flavour and the aroma of the Scotch. The water liberates 'the bouquet' by breaking down the intensity and allowing the subtle and smooth flavour to make themselves known.

So dear tipplers, please don't chill your Scotch with ice.

Add a little water.

Drink it at room temperature.

Enjoy the 'water of life'

Above all maintain your dignity. For whisky is a dignified drink.