I think a "Fair Rule" would be that once I break the $100 a bottle mark, it is straight ONLY (Possibly with a teaspoon of water or stirred with an ice cube which is then removed) OTHERWISE if it's less than $100 a bottle then it's time to marry coke to whiskey/bourbon A match truly made in heaven.
A blend of 3 fine Speyside Single Malts, I believe from a review I saw, that it is a blend of Glenfidich, The Balvenie and Kininvie. It was nice on it's own .......................... and then it was nice with coke
You also should have the right tools for the job ;-) Next will be the Glencairn Water pitcher and timber "Flight Tray" in which I can put some cold, but not icy, pure water. Test the whisky/whiskey/bourbon, then if it passes the palate test and "nosing", THEN we move to the proper size glasses to enjoy rather than taste Ice cubes may then be involved as may mixers, dependent on the cost and quality of the whiskey being enjoyed.
Sazerac Rye. My latest acquisition. Very smooth for a Rye. Great flavour. Very nice old fashioned looking bottle.
I'm twenty miles from it, there quite often. It's a gorgeous place but to be honest, I don't actually like the whiskey.