More than forty years ago I was on Syke and paid a kings ransom for a 25 year old Talisker. It was not pleasant. An old chap sitting at the bar said put a tad of water into it. I, like you Steve, thought such a thing was almost sacrilege, but he quite insistent and he was right. The water released all the oils and flavour and it transformed into a most wonderful dram, so don't knock a touch of water.