> My scotch drinking friends think it antithetical to add a splash or even drink on the rocks. In the world of Scotch, much of the more annoying, judgemental t

> My scotch drinking friends think it antithetical to add a splash or even drink on the rocks. In the world of Scotch, much of the more annoying, judgemental things come from people who are either inexperienced or who want to project some image about themselves. So some say Scots frown upon adding anything to Scotch. Firstly, whatever my fellow Scots do shouldn't dictate how you enjoy our national drink. However you should know that there are Scottish people who will drink it with Irn Bru (our other national drink - an intensely sugary, bright orange soda) so IMO all bets are off :) Secondly and slightly less related - there seems to be a culture of oneupmanship when some people make something a huge part of their identity. So in beer for example, you'll see a lot of beer nerds really shitting on lighter beers and lionizing more bitter, hoppier beers. I still recall a sign in a CAMRA pub in Edinburgh saying "What's wrong lager boy, afraid you might taste something?" - like the idea of a light, refreshing beer implies you're juvenile or less manly :) The same is sometimes true in whisky - harder, stronger, peatier is deemed by some to be more authentic. Adding a bit of water to your dram? Prefer a whisky in the range ~40-46% ABV? Don't enjoy Octomore? What's the matter, afraid you might taste something? It's dumb, if someone's giving you these lines just smile and ignore them :) Finally a bit of snobbery relating to younger or blended whiskies exists. Age isn't everything in whisky, I've had younger whiskies which were delightful. I've had 12 y/o which I've disliked. I've had blends which I adored, I've had single malts which I did not like. I've seen guys insist on only drinking "single malt" - which is a dead giveaway that they don't know too much but they want to seem like they do. I think these types of people can be quite receptive to suggestions and guidance, so it's worth giving them a little nudge to try something they might not otherwise try - if they insist on having a Macallan 12 then "ok let's get a couple of drams, but let's also order a Famous Grouse (entry level blend which includes at least something from Macallan) and compare". I think a lot of the negative elements are just related to insecure people wanting to get some free Cool Person points by associating themselves with things they think Cool People are. Which is a shame because my experience of the whisky community (outside those people) is that of people who are really open, welcoming and just enthusiastic about talking about and drinking whisky - which I think we all agree is cool! And as a Scot you have my permission to add whatever you please to Scotch. I sometimes like it on its own, I'll sometimes add a splash of water in some cases and in summer I'll sometimes have it with soda or ginger beer :) > Of course, where I really get into trouble is being careful who is around before I similarly try opening up the tannins of a wine with a splash of water This is super interesting and something I never considered trying! There have been some pretty overpowering reds I've had which I really should have tried this with. I'll try it next time!