Hi Lord Justdistaint,
I am not sure how to quote so thought I'd just name you :)
I know that SotC reduces the damage per hit but you hit more often, if you have a decent 2h weapon (assuming ret does) it can increase your straight dps. SoC procs will overshadow the damage of course but for reliable dps its not too bad.
Try it with mousing over your damage in your paper doll, with and without it up.
As he wants to level quickly then less time drinking is better as he can get onto the next mob(s)
As a side benefit of it as well you do more hits which helps to level weapon skills.
I don't know about anyone else but when I leveled I made sure I stayed on top of all of the weapons I could use (1h Mace, 2h Mace, 1h Sword, 2h Sword and polearm)
The benefits of this show when you decide to eg tank using a 1h sword, you can reliably hit the mob(s)ensuring that you maintain threat, of if you go holy and are soloing you again can land solid hits (with SoR) so you can do decent damage.
It would not be so good if you decide to go tanking and find out that you have 100/350 in 1h swords for instance.
I still believe that SotC is a helpful seal because of what I mentioned earlier as well though.
Thanks