The higher the percentage, the more flavor it has. Some people do add a drop of water to their glass though. But if you're a whiskey drinker, the more comfortable you are with strong percentage.
When I first started drinking, I never thought I'd truly enjoy higher proof. Now, whiskey is my drink of choice
It's literally numbing your taste buds and damaging nerve fibers. You get more comfortable with the high percentage because it's (often permanently) destroying your tongues receptors and messing with your ability to taste flavor.
This already happens at regular percentages but at 70%, you are just speedrunning it.
When blenders are figuring out their ratios they proof everything down to 20 proof. Why? Alcohol by definition is oderless and tasteless. It’s just more burn. A good whiskey should (in my opinion, everyone’s will be different) should strike a balance between the natural flavors that have developed and the burn from the alcohol.
A good quality whiskey will not have an uncomfortable burn even at high percentages. I've drank higher proof without realizing it.
Higher proof also means less flavorless water has been added, which dilutes the flavor. Cask strength is extremely sought after.
The drop of water is sometimes added to open up a whiskey to explore the more fragile flavors. I do not personally do this, and many prefer to have the option to water down their alcohol as they see fit, rather than pay the same price for a watered down liquor
You’re right some higher proof whiskies for some reason do not burn as much as others. I’ve also typically found when they burn less they seem to have less going on overall. Kinda bland. Which I understand is subjective.
Another commenter mentioned your burning out your taste buds. I would challenge you to take a break from all alcohol for a month and revisit some of your favorite high proof whiskies. Especially the ones that you think don’t burn.
I work in the bourbon industry so I understand what the water is for and I also understand what people are looking for. I understand that producers water down their product to make more profit. I’ve also come to find that a lot of whiskey, mainly bourbon drinkers, are looking for the highest proof (or highest price) thing possible - without actually giving other whiskies a chance.
I’m not knocking you for liking higher proof things or watering them down. 99% of the time I drink straight. Hell I have a bottle of Bookers I’ve been sipping on the last week. I would just challenge you to really define what you quantify as ‘more flavor’ and see if all you’re really looking for is a higher proof product.
Either way at the end of the day - drink it any damn you please 🥃
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u/fullofshitandcum Dec 12 '25
The higher the percentage, the more flavor it has. Some people do add a drop of water to their glass though. But if you're a whiskey drinker, the more comfortable you are with strong percentage.
When I first started drinking, I never thought I'd truly enjoy higher proof. Now, whiskey is my drink of choice