Whiskey Science

According an article from Discovery Magazine and an article from Forbes Magazine, there is a strict science behind the aromas and taste of scotch whiskey. A professional scotch drinker knows to sip his whiskey slowly and waft the smoky aromas from his tulip shaped glass, but apparently adding a splash of water can highly enhance the experience.

Bjorn Karlsson and Ran Friedman from Linnaeus University Centers of Biomaterial Chemistry in Sweden explain the science behind why adding a splash of water to whiskey enhances the flavor. The rich, smoky flavor of most whiskeys is due to the presence of phenols, also known as aromatic compounds, in the solution. Guaiacol, C7H8O2, is one especially smoky flavored phenol found in higher concentrations of Scotch whiskey than American or Irish Whiskey because of the fermentation process being smoked over a peat fire and the specific type of malted barley used. Karlsson and Friedman studied various concentrations of ethanol, water, and guaiacol in whiskey and discovered that the ethanol attaches to the guaiacol molecules causing clumps. During the distillation process, the ethanol concentration is as high as 59%, but is diluted to 40% when bottled. The ethanol attached to the guaiacol accumulates near the surface, and after a splash of water is added, "the ethanol and guaiacol aerosolize" causing the aroma to now be suspended in the air enhancing the scent. Although a splash of water causes this reaction, it is possible to dilute the whiskey too much, which loses its ability for the guaiacol and ethanol to aerosolize. This is another reason why you will see whiskey connoisseurs swirling their glasses to get the maximum smoky aroma.

Guaiacol is naturally a yellowish colored oil and darkens in color when exposed to air and light. The phenol compound is found in wood smoke, oral anti cough medicine, and used during the preparation of synthetic vanillin.

Works Cited

Yes, Scotch Whiskey Is Better With a Splash of Water http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-     brief/2017/08/17/scotch-splash-of-water/#.WcwFt0yZP-Y (accessed Oct 1, 2017).

Lemonick, S. (2017, August 21) Yes, You Should Put Water In Your Whiskey. Forbes. Forbes Magazine.