I'm not sure if this topic has been approached recently or not, but here goes...
Who adds water to their bourbon to "open it up"?
I consider myself a purist and normally don't add water.
Yesterday I went to my local cigar shop and we opened a bottle of Eagle Rare 17. I would say this is one of my favorite Bourbon's right now. At 90 proof, it's well balanced, just enough heat and sweetness and a long caramel finish. However, someone stated it wasn't quite what he liked and decided to add some water to his.
At first I cringed at this, but since I never tried it with water, I relaxed.
After adding the water he said he liked it better, but it still wasn't to his preference. Since I had finished my glass, he asked if I wanted the rest of his. Not wanting to waste , I obliged and he poured his glass into mine.
After trying it, I have to admit it was a different. I wouldn't say better, but not worse either. The heat was a little less, the flavors just a little muted, and the finish a bit softer. I guess this seemed obvious after diluting it, but this was not a great deal of water he added.
So I'm wondering who else adds water, or who wouldn't THINK of adding water?