As any whisky enthusiast will tell you, adding a drop of water to your dram improves the smell and flavor of the drink. Using slightly unconventional computer simulations, scientists have been able to explain exactly why this works.
Björn Karlsson, co-author of the study, explains that “the taste of whisky is primarily linked to so-called amphipathic molecules, which are made up of hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts.” In other words, one side of the “taste” molecule found in whisky is attracted to water, while the other is repelled by it. This molecule, known as guaiacol, has a major bearing on the alcohol’s flavor.
Guaiacol is commonly found in smoky and peaty Scottish whiskies, and has been identified as the cause of the distinctive flavor that is loved by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. By using computer simulations of ethanol and water mixtures with guaiacol added, the researchers were able to observe how different concentrations of the two liquids changed the behavior of the flavor molecules.
They concluded that guaiacol is more likely to bind to the alcohol molecules. When the alcohol concentration is around 70%, as it is when first barreled, these molecules, with the guaiacol attached, tend to gather somewhere around the middle of the liquid, essential preventing the flavor from rising to the surface.
As more water is added, such as during bottling, when the concentration is reduced to around 45%, the alcohol molecules spread out more, meaning that more of the guaiacol floats to the surface.
Ran Friedman, who was another co-author of the study, explains, “this suggests that in a glass of whisky, guaiacol will therefore be found near the surface of the liquid, where it contributes to both the smell and taste of the spirit.” However, they found that this effect does not stop there – if the whisky is diluted down to 27%, there is an increase of guaiacol at the liquid-air interface.
This results in a more superior flavor, something that all whisky enthusiasts will know about. While diluting a good whisky down to 27% may seem low, some whisky drinks are known to dilute it as much as 20%.
Source: iflscience
Images: depositphotos
This Great Advice Will Enable You to Improve Your 5 Senses
Fine tuning your 5 senses will improve your quality of life. Here's how you can improve each one.
Fake Olive Oil: Here's How You Can Spot It
If you want to know whether the olive oil you have bought is real or an imposter, here's how you can tell!
The Science Behind the Good Taste of Leftovers
Do you feel leftover food tastes different? it's not just in your head. Here's the science behind it, and which foods make the best leftovers.
Stainless Steel Bottles Are Much Healthier. Here's Why.
Here's why you should consider purchasing some stainless steel water bottles.
8 Persuasive Reasons You Should Drink Cabbage Juice...
Cabbage juice is full of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. Here are 8 amazing health benefits of this drink.
Making Your Tea in the Microwave Isn’t a Good Idea
Microwaving tea might be convenient, but it isn’t the smartest thing to do. Even science says so.
What Is Your Learning Style? This Chart Explains
What is your learning style? Identify your learning style with this chart.
16 Survival Gadgets for Any Emergency Situation
These cool gadgets can be extremely useful in any emergency situation.
Dog Can't Stay Alone? 5 Tips to Help Resolve Their Anxiety
When your dog shows anxiety when left alone, here are some tips to help you deal with the problem.
Discover 6 Easy Ways to Clean a Home with Hydrogen Peroxide
We all want to see our homes clean and sparkling, and it turns out that with hydrogen peroxide - something we all have at home- this can be done with ease!
The Art of Persuasion: How to Be More Convincing
Learn the basics to becoming a more verbally persuasive person.
We Bet You Never Knew Rubbing Alcohol Was This Useful!
Most people use rubbing alcohol for cuts or to cool a fever, but it has so many other fantastic uses. Here's 15 of them.
How to Help Prepare for a Snow Storm – 11 Vital Steps
Don't let a winter storm take you by surprise. Prepare with these important steps.
26 Handy Tips That'll Fit Any Kitchen
These tips will make you a master of the kitchen, full of little secrets and shortcuts...
I Bet You've Never Thought of Using Wax Paper Like This!
There's so much you can do with wax paper. Here are 11 surprising uses.
WATCH: 10 Microwave Tips You've Never Heard Of
These 10 tips will help you get the very best out of your microwave - replenish old food, keep it clean and simply master it!
These Potatoes Will Definitely Make Your Dish Stand Out
Every great dish needs a great side dish to complement it. These Baked-twice potatoes are such a side dish.
10 Hotel Secrets You Should Be Aware of Before Booking
There are numerous tricks of the trade that hoteliers employ to maximize profits. Here are 10 hotel secrets that you must know before booking your next trip.
Quick and Easy Ways to Defrost Your Car Windscreen
Going to your car and finding the windscreens covered in ice is one thing that annoys us all. Here are three easy ways to quickly defrost your car windows!
Know the Signs: The Complete Guide to Body Language!
You can learn a lot about a person’s intent by reading his body language, so find out just what that wink meant with this helpful guide.
These Guides Are Chock-a-Block With Helpful Info
Take our advice – keep these useful guides at hand for they might come in use someday.
Tea Is Much More Than a Drink. It Has MANY Other Uses!
Tea isn't just for drinking, it's one of the most helpful materials in the house!
These Useful Vintage Tips from the 1900s Still Work Today!
Not everything changes over time, which is why these vintage solutions to everyday problems are still as useful today as they were in the 1900s!
WARNING: Don't Keep This Product in Your Car
Hand sanitizers can be found in plenty of vehicles, maybe even in yours, but is it wise to store them there?
Get Rid of Your Dog's Worms Using These 10 Home Remedies
At some point in their lives, most dogs will suffer from intestinal worms. Should this happen to your dog, here are 10 home remedies to help deworm them.
Kitchen Tips: How Long You Can Keep Leftovers?
It’s crucial to know how long different leftover foods can last in your fridge, and when it’s time to part ways with them for your own safety and health
Quick Tip: Clean the Gunk Out of Your Kitchen Cupboards!
A quick tutorial that teaches how to clean your kitchen cupboards without damaging them.
The Secret to REALLY Cleaning Your Microwave in 3 Minutes
There is a simple trick to cleaning your microwave in just a couple of minutes, and all it requires is a bowl of water and two slices of lemon.
Testing 10 Amazon Phone Gadgets: Are They Any Good?
Are these phone gadgets as good as advertised? Let's check it out.
Who Knew Duct Tape Prevents Blisters & Has All These Uses!
Is any one object more multitasking than duct tape? We really doubt that, and here are just 18 genius ways you can start using it right away
IMPORTANT: Why You Should Wipe Down Your Phone Every Night
What exactly is lurking on your phone, and how should you go about cleaning it?
12 Fabulous Uses for Socks That Have Lost Their Mate
Here is a terrifically useful list of 12 handy ways that your odd sock or stocking can regain her purpose, get ‘out there’ and reinvent herself.
Vintage Beauty and Self-Care Tips We Should All Be Using
Here we feature 14 really effective, but often forgotten vintage beauty. Best of all, nearly all of these tips use items you have at home
I Usually Wake Up 3 A.M. to Pee. What's The Reason?
Do you find yourself waking up at around 3 a.m. every other night to pee? There’s a reason for it.
The BEST Craft Idea For the Little Princesses in Your Life
Make this cute princess charm you can hang on a bag, and it's both easy and fun!
7 Myths About Burning Calories
Burning calories is something we all want, but we need to know what we're doing first, and that means disproving these 7 common but misguided myths about calorie burning.
7 Streaming Services You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Looking for an alternative to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+? Try these underrated streaming services.
These Insane Motorbike Stunts Will Make You Doubt Your Eyes
Motorbike stunts that completely defy the laws of gravity!
Some Great and Cheap Ways You Can Remove Rust from Metal
Where's there's metal, there's rust - it's an ever annoying problem. These remedies allow you to restore rusty items without using harmful chemicals!
We Bet You're Not Aware of These Real-World Facts
Don't miss this random collection of interesting real-world facts from the world over that you are unlikely to have heard before
This DIY Food Dispenser Will Transform Your Pet's Life!
A great way to ensure your pet is getting the right amount of food.
Those Stickers On Your Produce Can Tell You an Awful Lot!
The stickers that you find on fruit and vegetables can tell you an awful lot about how the produce was grown. Read on to find out more.
6 Humane Ways to Keep Stray Cats off Your Property
If you have a problem with stray cats, this article will provide you with 6 humane ways toy can keep unwanted cats out of your property.
Most Plant Owners Ignore This Crucial Plant Care Detail
Successful houseplant owners always pay close attention to their plants’ light needs. Let us teach you to do just that in this brief but informative guide.
7 Ways Lemons Can Make Your Life a Whole Lot Easier!
Here you'll discover seven surprising ways how you can use lemons and lemon juice to make your life cleaner and easier.
Why You Should Start Using BAKING SODA in Your Laundry
Here’s why we should all start keeping a jar of baking soda in the laundry room and how to use it to wash clothing and even deep clean the washing machine.
6 Handy Ways to Open a Bottle WITHOUT a Bottle Opener
Want to enjoy your bottle of beer but can't find the bottle opener? Don't worry. Try these clever hacks.