A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, and posted on Menshealth.com.au claims that a small amount of water, for example from ice, can actually make your whiskey taste better.
This is contrary to the widely held belief that whiskey is best consumed neat.
The team behind the study found that a molecule found in whiskey that gives it a unique flavour, guaiacol, actually responds well to being mixed with a small amount of water. The flavour of the drink is actually intensified making your whiskey taste better.
Ultimately everyone has their own preferences, so it’s best to try out different ways of drinking, with ice, without ice, with water, without water – and decide for yourself what’s best for you.
Source: https://www.menshealth.com.au/article/style/why-drink-whiskey-on-the-rocks