Tell me, hu-man, of your Earth drink "scotch"

[Howard Alan Treesong]

So in a discussion last night with TVC I realized I'd never had scotch before. I dunno why, I guess because I had confused it with bourbon which is about as much fun as drinking paint thinner.

So I got a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label which seems to be the recommended entry level stuff for non-mixing.

HOW DO I DRINK IT

Straight? On the rocks? Diluted with water?

Make me a man, Evilbore!

[Flannel Boy]

I'll make you a man. 

(I drink it straight)

[Fresh Prince]

Doesn't really matter; coke, ginger ale, water etc. It's Single Malts people get all fussy with.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

so I'm supposed to dilute it? what proportions?

[MrAngryFace]

haha what? dilute it?

If you want a 'weaker' scotch, get a blended scotch. My scotch-lite of choice is easily Cutty Sark. Blended scotch is generally reserved for mixing sours n such.

Glenlivet or Auchentoshan were the single malts I drank a lot of. You can go on the rocks if you want, but neat is what gets ya nods at the bar.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

well he's saying I should mix it with soda or water which sounds like how a woman would drink it

[Fresh Prince]

Generally
Water as in a splash, rocks, straight = man
coke = man child
ginger ale, soda water = old man

As it's JW Black, maybe a splash of water or on the rocks. I think straight would be too much if it's your first time. 

[The Sceneman]

straight is the best way to drink it

[MrAngryFace]

On the rocks is as much as you wanna dilute it.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

okay I'll have a glass, play some Dead Space, report back

[Cormacaroni]

The reason you should dilute it, or have some water on the side, is that the alcohol usually overwhelms the tastebuds if you drink it straight. I prefer it straight, because that's how mother taught me to do it.

Don't ever put fucking Coke in good Scotch for the love of Christ.

If you want to get really into it, here's pretty much all you need to know. A good glass/decanter is a cool accessory
http://www.wikihow.com/Taste-Single-Malt-Scotch

[MrAngryFace]

fuck the tastebuds!

[Howard Alan Treesong]

woo scotch

[Human Snorenado]

Scotch! 

Like MAF said, with single malt I would just drink it straight.  With JW Black I'd drink it on the rocks.  Nothin' beats sippin' on some scotch, imo.

[chronovore]

Cormacaroni, what single malts do you like? Are you a peaty type?