scotch

The Pub
1

I rarely drink anything but beer.  So I need a little help.  I just received a bottle of Glenrothes Single speyside malt scotch whiskey.  This was distilled in 1982 and bottled in 1997. the package even has a hand written description of the character from the original taster in 1982 and the approval in 1996 prior to bottling. The question do I continue to save it or do I try it?  either way i am pretty stoked :smiley:

2

Sounds like you’ve got something special there!

http://www.whisky.com/brands/glenrothes_brand.html
“Such is the quality of The Glenrothes, we believe this is a Malt to be savoured in special company.”

However, it didn’t get made just to sit on a shelf and gather dust - it was made to be enjoyed.  Also, once its bottled, the character of a whisky doesn’t change much, so saving it isn’t going to improve it any.

I’m very jealous…

3

It’s not like vintage port or wine, once in glass, its done and ready, and virtually stable…it will taste essentially the same today as in 1997, at least, if it changes at all it will unlikely be much improvement.  15 year old and vintage marked, that should be a nice whisky!  If you have friends that appreciate Scotch, particularly single malt, it would be a great thing to invite one or two over to open it with you.  Enjoy!

4

wow, thanks for the link.  the man who gave it to me said to drink it neat after dinner.  put a few drops of water in the glass just to help lift the aroma. well, i have a son graduating ohio state next year. good a time as any…

5

Definitely drink it. Distilled spirits are often discussed as being so-and-so years old, but that refers to the aging at the distillery. Once it’s in the bottle, it’s not going to change but it could evaporate if not capped tightly.

Wine will age in the bottle, as will beer. Not spirits.

Sounds tasty.

6

I wouldn’t even hesitate, open it and have a glass.  Share it with good friends.  Scotch is made to be savored but not stored forever.

Paul

7

drink it i will.  maybe this weekend.  sometime within next year.  i do have a few nice montecristos stashed among the 100 or so smokes that seem to not get smoked.  thanks guys

8

Definitely drink it.  Make sure you have a good cigar to go with it.  Where do you live so I can come over and help you enjoy it.  :wink:

Enjoy,
Brandon

9

Well, it’s no Cutty Sark, but I’d drink it.

10

I just shuddered and gagged a little.

11

I prefer them too.  I keep getting Cohibas as gifts because everyone seems to think that is the smoke, but when it comes to cubans i do prefer the montecristos and even the partagas.  just harder to come by.  actually time to enjoy them is hard to come by.

12

Just got a bottle of scotch after 15 years. The last was Johnny Walker Red label. This’uns  a 10 year single malt called Speyburn.

I like it. A lot.

13

Also, once you open it, drink it up. When the cap is off, and you pour it, it will oxidize, just like beer. Don’t pour a couple glasses, and then shelf it for a couple more years. down the hatch ,with it!!

14

It’ll go well with Havana Montecristos.  :slight_smile:

15

OK I will take your advice! :smiley:

16

Layer some CO2 or other inert gas (Argon is also good) on top and it shouldn’t oxidize.

17

I like Weaze’s suggestion better.

18

I don’t think you need to worry about oxidation with whisky.  Some liqueurs have that problem, but most liquors don’t.  In the case of that bottle, it’s been sitting in a barrel for at least 10 years getting oxidized - how much more will it change in a closed bottle in your cabinet for several more years?  My bet is not that much, if at all - anything that was going to be oxidized probably already is.

but by all means euge, drink it as fast as you like :slight_smile:

19

+1,  while there there are some dissenting opinions on this… the consensus seems to be that whisky won’t oxidize or lose quality in the bottle. at least as long as it is well sealed. most whisky is corked. if the cork starts to look bad, just replace it with another that fits well.

used to be I’d only have one or two whiskies at a time and I’d drink them up in reasonably short order. over the years, as I’ve gotten to like whisky more, my bar has grown. I’m a drinker not a collector though, so I don’t have any that last more than a few years. I’ve not seen any noticeable effects from sitting in the bottle.

here is a link to a discussion among whisky bloggers on this question…
http://www.whisky-emporium.com/Blogs/2010-10-Oct/WhiskyRT.htm

here’s a link to a group of “the best whisky blogs” …

20

Whiskey bottle lids are made to keep dust out between pours.