How does adding a drop of water to a glass of whiskey change how it tastes so drastically?

Question

Water has no flavor but it changes the flavor of whiskey so much and it doesn’t make sense

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

When whiskey ages, the alcohol evaporates and the alcohol content drops slightly, causing it to smooth or mellow out. Adding a small amount of water is a way to artificially lower the alcohol content of whiskey, making it taste like an approximation (albeit less flavorful) of how that whiskey would taste if it were aged for a long time.