…which magically refilled itself every time you finished it, what would it be?
Yesterday I asked you for topics you would like to discuss here on WDJK. There are already some great suggestions. Today’s post is from one of those suggestions. (Thank you, Red.)
So, what would be YOUR bottomless bottle of whisky?
Good topic! For me it would be the best whisky I tasted until now:
Clynelish 33 from 1973. Bottled by Prestonfield from cask 8913 at 54.6% ABV.
That whisky has everything I want from something like that. Age, without wear, sherry without overdoing it, enough alcohol to water it down without losing too much strength, and a beautifully peated old clynelish taste and smell.
Damn, you got me to think with this one…
I’ll go traditional and I think I’ll do it with the Lagavulin 16…. mmmm or perhaps the 21yo?
Ardbeg Corryvreckan or Rollercoaster, if I could find ‘em!
Joe Howell, I think has a bunch of Rollercoaster.
Did he get in more of it? I had a taste of it the last time I paid Joe a visit. I’ll give him a call.
Where is Joe Howell located?
Federal Wine and Spirits, State Street, Boston. He sold out his lot pretty quickly, and was lamenting how little he’d gotten when I visited him a week or so ago. I know he wanted to get more, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up too high if I were you.
I spoke to Kyle at D&M and they got some in today.
The obvious choice would be a refined, expensive bottle; however, I think having an endless bottle would dilute my enjoyment. My current “expensive” bottles (don’t judge) are a bottle of Jonnie Walker Blue and a Yamazaki 18. I enjoy saving these bottles for self proclaimed special occasions as well as savoring every last drop. With an endless bottle, there would be little reason to continue the latter. Personally, I feel that the ultimate upside of the endless bottle would be the ability to share with friends and family; thus, I would either put my endless bottle selection to a vote or try to pick the most versatile, approachable whisk(e)y I could find, most likely asking this blog for advice.
Mhm soko– always good to think about what makes whisky seem special, what makes us take a dram seriously. Of course if you had this magic bottle, that alone would be special and plus you could lord it over other people that their Laphroaig 30 was all gone but yours was bottomless.
——-……..———–……….
From your meditation, versatility emerges as a deciding criterion for the contents of the magic bottle. When the bottom of the bottle is extended to infinity is that all that’s left? It is true that normal whisky comes in limited quantities and therefore only comes out when the occassion is right to appreciate it’s specific character. But is it true that magic whisky is always out no matter the occassion and that therefore it’s specific character must be able to be appreciated on every occassion? Perhaps all other things being equal you’d still do better to cast the spell on your most favorite bottle– the one which takes time and focus to enjoy– and to have it there all your life waiting, ready for you whenever you would be ready for it.
I would’ve said Brora 30 (the one before the 25) or Glenfarclas 1968, but then the other day I tasted this 50 year old Mortlach from G&M– jesus! Come to think of it, I believe that it was tasting the Mortlach 50 that made me ask my friend the magic bottle question right then and there. A little out of my reach though considering that nips of it sold for 125$ each… ha, but yeah probably that.
Ahh, but here’s something you all should think about before making your decision:
Perhaps it shouldn’t just be the best whisky you ever tasted. If it’s going to be something you will be drinking on a regular basis, shouldn’t it also be a versatile whisky–one which suits many moods and situations?
You might want to factor that into your equation before coming to a conclusion.
Yes but you could supplement your one bottle with the rest of your collection.
Good point!
I have been on a buying binge recently and picked up amongst others Parkers Heritage GA 3rd, Sazerac Rye 18 (managed to get three bottles), George T Stagg (managed to get four bottles – GF increasingly unhappy), Compass Box Flaming Heart & Hedonism, Highland Park 21, Ardbeg Corry, Johnny Walker Gold.
I keep coming back to my Yamazaki 18 year old. Funny as I read a few write ups that didn’t rate it too highly but I find it really appeals to me. The bottle is in fact finished so I wish it would fill itself up right now. Actually, it’s 9.55am so it could probably wait until a bit later in the day but you take my point.
Sam Thompson. My first rye whiskey ever, and still my favorite. A mere four years old, with its roots in the early Monongahela rye heyday, it was acquired by Schenley after Prohibition, and ended its run in the 1980s, distilled under contract by Michter’s. It was an inexpensive bottle that never sold for double digits, but had a high rye content and came in a very traditional clear bottle with a scene of the original distillery on the label.
I got one recently through happenstance, and shared it with John and others at a gathering. “I’d pay just to smell this!” he said. Not an elegant whiskey, but flavorful and delicious at 86 proof. I could drink it everyday, but I only have one bottle. It is impossible to replace. An everlasting bottle of Sam would be a blessing to this rye whiskey fan!
Forgot to mention that Sam Thompson was always a Pennsylvania rye whiskey, never distilled anywhere but its home state, as opposed to Old Overholt. To me, that says something, and I look forward to the sturdy entrepreneur who delivers PA rye back to the Keystone State. I know that the movement is afoot!
I think I’d have to go with my bottle of G&M Strathisla 25yo. Though I do love more unique whiskies, this is something I could return to every single day.
Matt,
I just finished off a bottle of the G&M Strathisla 25 about a month ago. Fantastic stuff. Seemed to get better as the bottle got emptier.
Yeah, the closer a good whisky gets to not existing the more magical it becomes.
Heh heh. Yeah….
Brora 30 is my choice.
Honorable mentions to
G&M Glenrothes 30
G&M Mortlach 21
Glenfarclas 1974
John, that’s an interesting point that you bring up. I wonder if that question might be good for another blog topic. What is the most versatile whisky?
John, it would have to be the ’09 George T Stagg!
A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 yr would be my choice.
Close runner-up: Sazerac 18 yr. — great by itself and makes unbelievably great cocktails!
I have one of those, it’s whiskey though. I always have Makers on the go….and still love love it….often. I can’t say I have a whisky that does that though, I would if I could get Ardbeg or Laphroaig here…that said I haven’t run out of either, various expressions, yet.
If I could choose one magic as you suggest I think I’d say Ardbeg Uigeadail.
I would have to go with the 1973 33 y/o Highland Park. Great balance!
I would have to go with Laphroaig 10yo Cask Strength. I cannot replace this bottle fast enough in my home. It is the only bottle I ever have backed up. When I run out it is a sad day indeed. Fill yourself back up!
The Springbank 12 year old 100 proof ‘Double Dark’ of a decade ago. I don’t think that we will ever see anything like this again.
I think if I were to choose right now, it would be Ardbeg Uigeadail, which is unusual because I’m generally an American whiskey type.
I would second the AH Hirsch 16 for American “dream” expressions. Practically speaking and keeping with John’s suggestion of not stating your “best” but instead a “regular” whisky I would say the Van Winkle 13 or Saz 18. Anything from Port Ellen, prederably the 1978 or 1979 for favorite scotches but Ardbeg 10 or Talisker 10 for my everyday dram.
As a “mainstream” single malt enthusiast (i.e. have not yet got into all the special bottlings), I tend to agree with Iain Banks (author of “the Perfect Dram”): Glenfiddich 21 years old Gran Reserva
Pappy Van Winkle 15 would be my choice. My scotch whisky preferences are too diverse to settle on one.
Old Comber.
The distillery may be gone some half a century or more, and the last of the whiskey bottled in the Eighties, but it could live on forever via my magic refilling bottle!
Based on what I’ve opened my number one would be Ardbeg Uigeadail.
Runner’s-up would be Yamazaki 18, Sazerac 18yo, High West 16yo (I really liked the bubblegum and apple notes in this one), Laphroaig 10yo CS, Glenlivet Nadurra (not Triumph), Arran 10yo, Talisker 10.
I have a feeling Corry might be on the list once I open one of the two I have and that the Arran 10yo would get bumped if I can manage to get my hands on a better example from their distillery.
Ardbeg Provenance, ’74 bottled in ’98
Contenders: Highland Park, Cask #13308, ’73 vintage, Glenfarclas 1968
For all who said, “Uigeadail,” I’m with you. It was my number one at a tasting last year that included some old Highland Parks, Glenmorangies, Glenrothes, and Laphroaig 25.
Above it, though, my palate scores Bunnahabhain 18, Glenrothes 1985, and Springbank 18 (2009) in a dead tie for my all-time favorites.
But when I think of something I’d never want to run out of, I have to go for the Glenmorangie Astar (it was my number two at that tasting last year). Like Uigeadail, it’s high octane, but it’s got a subtle smoothness and a hot bite that can’t be beat.
So tough! I’m really really fond of Ardbeg Supernova, but it might also be Talisker 18 – it’s just SO smooth. It’s so good I’ll often just smell the empty glass after I’ve finished the dram.
For me it would the Blanton’s Silver Edition.
For me it would be the Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye. There is something about the way that whiskey tastes that just makes me happy!
Definitely a bourbon, probably a single-barrel, although the 2008 Eagle Rare 17 blew me away. Most importantly, it’s a bottle that is small enough to fit in my pocket and be available for any occassion.
You can always refill a flask with your never ending bottle.
Mine would be Lagavulin 21yo. I love the combo of sherry and peat and the finish goes on forever. Other finalists were Ardbeg Uigeadail, Macallan 18 1988, Glendronach 15 Revival, Lagavulin 16, Lagavulin DE 1991, a couple of Karuizawa single casks and a Dewar Rattray Bowmore 1991 17 yo (bacon and toffee and none of the dreaded FWP).
Ah, Sean, memories of Lagavulin 21 Year Old haunt me still – an immortal vatting… (if only!)
John,
Your point about an everyday whisky to suit the widest possible drinking wishes and moods leads me to one conclusion: Talisker 10yo.
As a son of Kentucky it pains me to think my choice isn’t a bourbon or rye, but I find myself reaching for the Talisker more than most and haven’t found a time, place, mood, or circumstance where I wouldn’t want a pour.
Now, if like a genie you gave me three wishes I’d add Green Spot and Jim Beam Black. With those three I could make it through life with a modicum of happiness if I had no access to any other whiskies.
If, however, we follow Pete’s suggestion I could still buy lots of bottles but every time one bottle went dry it magically refilled, that would be AH Hirsch 16yo. An endless supply of that liquid history would end my rationing it out in thimbles.
Talisker 10 is my fav (no surprise if you know my login-name from another forum. I tell you what though, it would be a real close race between Tal 10, Laph QC, and High West Rendezvous Rye.
Yes Tex, the Rendezvous is awesome stuff, and would never have seen the light of day if it wasn’t for a forward-thinking, whiskey-snooping entrepreneur like David Perkins. Can’t wait to see what he ends up distilling his own self in Utah! His others are interesting, too…the 21 year old rye from reused cooperage may be as close as we get to an extra-aged American version of scotch.
2007 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. I’m with the lowkey selections here. While a expensive bottle is nice, I want something I can drink as endlessly as it refills.
I would go with a Bushmills 16 year old. Tastes good and I can afford it. Some of the whiskey suggested is out of my price range to drink all the time. If cost was not an object I would go with a bottomless bottle of Middletons.
Tough Question
I really miss the Ardbeg 21yr Committee bottling so my vote goes for that one (today), but my list of candidates is very long
Macdeffe
I have never told this to anyone, honestly.
But I do have such a bottle (that gets magically refilled). It is the Laphroaig 10yo, and every once in a while (equally magically), it tastes excacty like the Aberlour a’bunadh. But please, keep this for yourselves.
The first iteration of Bowmore Black, the one that only cost multi-hundreds, not multi-thousands. Wish I had bought more of that back when…
Of those currently-available, Uigeadail absolutely. I simply never tire of that taste! I suspect Corry will fit into that mold soon enough but I still need more “experience” with Corry, especially head-to-head with Uigy. Add Nectar D’or from Glenmorangie to that list as well as Highland Park 30 YO and Aberlour A’bunadh. From the rare or gone department, I’ll agree with Mark (comment #23) about Provenance. BUT.
There will always be a spot in my heart for a dearly-departed bottle I would give next to anything to experience again, though I suspect it’s long gone from the face of the Earth. Old Malt Cask Bunnahabhain; Aged 38 years, distilled December 1960, bottled November 1999. Last seen at the Feathers in Toronto in 2007. Only 194 bottles ever produced. I first had this on my 39th birthday (I was trying to drink my age back then – easier then than now!) and fell utterly and irrevocably in love with this dram. Had it again on subsequent visits back home until ’07. I may have had better whiskies since (see “Provenance,” above) but a chance at another few drops of that liquid love and I’d be a happy man.
Any old Stitzel-Weller…..Maybe the new Jeff Prez 17, but I’m also a huge fan of the Pappy’s. But then there’s the…..and so on
Call me old-fashioned (hah!) but I think I’d go with a big fat handle of the Old Granddad 100 proof. Not the most exquisite spirit in the world, but full of deep, spicy rye and eminently drinkable; I suspect I’d plow through more of this than anything else, and I could apply my considerable savings to more exotic fare like the Sazerac 18yr old Rye, and my favorite scotch, the lovely lady Lagavulin…
With ya, Doug!
Port Charlotte PC5
It’s a perfect drink to me. A lovely mix of green bananas that transitions into a peaty complex finish. All things being equal, I wish I would never run out of this perfect dram.
HP 30.
Only because I haven’t yet tried HP 40.
I had some HP 40 at a 2009 tasting in New York. It was underwhelming, to be very honest. Mouth feel wasn’t quite right and I’d have to say the extra 10 years in oak didn’t do it any favors. The folks I was there with all agreed that the 30 was a far better whisky than the 40.
We did a 3-way comparison between the HP 25, 30 and 40. The 30 came out way on top, then the 25 then the 40. There just wasn’t enough of the 40 YO in the glass to do a 4-way competition to include the 18 YO, but, as good as it is, I wouldn’t consider the 18 YO even in the same league as it’s big brothers.
Funny, I felt pretty much the same about the 30 compared to the 25!
Thanks for the response. My wallet also thanks you!
I really enjoy HP 25 for special moments, but I’ve been lucky to have friends that gave me a bottle of HP 30 that I’m trying to stretch as long as I can. It really is wonderful.
WIthout a doubt in my mind an 18yr Springbank is the whiskey I wish would never run dry. Unbelievable, every time I taste the stuff I remember exactly why I love whiskey. Its like a deep breathe of salty air right off the coast. Its perfect for the summer after a day on the water and even better in the fall when I’m trying to stay warm! I love this whiskey…..absolute true love.
Balvenie 10 y/o. Sadly, no longer being made.
I’ve given this some thought, and simply cannot come up with an answer. For one thing, I know that whatever I would have asked for five or six years ago, I would be very unhappy with now. But as long as we’re wishing for magic bottles, can I wish for one that has something different in it every time it refills itself?
You’re no doubt correct about the time-relativity of our preferences. And there’s no way one would satisfy under anything like normal conditions. (What we would want on a deserted island is a much different question.) I did the Provenance not only because of the quality but also because of various psychological/personal reasons that make me miss that whisky every time it comes to mind; I’d love to have a bottle of that again, and again.
How about this: Just for historical curiosity and awesome novelty, a bottle of the whisky Burns thought the best he ever had? The probability that it would be anything like as fine as what we have access to is very low, I guess, but still…
Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky..
I would empty it into another bottle, sell it.. then watch my magic bottle fill up again..
rinse, repeat…
The Bottle Imp would not like that, and undoubtedly you would end up sorry.
Cragganmore 12 y.o.
Bowmore Black! If I’m gonna dream, I might as well dream big.
Still inexperienced in this whole whisky tasting thing, right now it’s either the Ardbeg Uigeadail or the Lagavulin 1991 DE. Haven’t tried the other years of the DE, but I love the Lagavulin 16, and this is just that much more complex and delicious for that virtual bank account in my mind to ache every time I think picking up some more bottles so I can have it always around after a crappy day of work (ie, M-F).
Lagavulin 21 – no question
Like a few other people mentioned this is a loaded question that for many represents merely a snapshot in time or a product of how you interpret the question. I’ve been drinking whiskies for 12 years but I’ve only been really tasting them for about 5. Over the coarse of those 5 years there have been a couple ground breakers for me.
Wathen’s was the first for me, Buffalo Trace Experimental 10yr Zinfandel was the second, 2007 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon the third, and as of a week ago 2009 William Larue Weller the most recent. With each of these I’ve said “this is the best bourbon I’ve ever had!” I feel I may be jumping the gun because I’ve only had 2 drams of the ’09 WLW but boy it would make me happy if my bottle never went dry!
I do have a recently acquired bottle of Parker’s Heritage Golden Anniversary though. Who knows, my first dram of that may be the next installment of “the best bourbon I’ve ever had!” At the tender age of 32 something tells me I may be saying this a few more times in my life yet too; AND I haven’t even really started down the scotch path!
If the question were to be altered slightly to 1 endless bottle but no access to anything else, I would say Pappy Van Winkle 15 would be my choice as it would be fabulous for old fashions and mint juleps as well as neat. I could die happy if those were the only drinks I was allowed to have from here on out.
So John, are you going to chime in with your choice?
ok, i just found someone who uses pappy 15 yo for mixed drinks – you are a lucky man (or woman). my general rule is anything more expensive than $35 for a 750ml bottle is not used for a mixed drink unless i get something that turns out to be pretty bad.
No, I never have used it for a mixed drink. But I could see it being an awesome choice for them if I had a bottomless bottle.
Lagavulin 21, I was fortunate to find 2 cases.
JL, I am not shocked that you chose the Laga 21. But 2 cases. No wonder I can’t find anymore to buy.
Man … it’s hard to believe this is the same group of readers that voted 2-1 to have John not review the set of Diageo’s Manager’s Choice releases. It sounds sounds more than a few of your are willing to plunk $300+ for a good bottle of whisky. Not to start any fires here, I’m just saying that it sounds like rare and expensive aren’t barriers of entry for a lot of your guys when it comes to your whisky. I wonder if a more interested topic would have been: what bottle under $100 would you like to have magically refilled.
Sure Rodion, but paying 375$ for a 30 yo Brora and paying 550$ 9 yo Oban are two completely different things.
See, one expects a to pay at most say 110$ for a 9 yo single cask, cask strength whisky, from a popular mainstream distillery. And one expects thisbased on the same calculations that lead one to expect to pay close to 400$ for an excellently reviewed 30 yo, cask strength, from a beloved closed distillery. But now what’s this?– the 9 yo costs 137.5% as much as the 30 yo. What! 500% as much one would’ve been willing to pay! Why? Oh the managers of course. But what does that mean? Noone knows. Noone has any point of reference for any kind of managerial involvement that could lead to a bottle costing five times as much as one expected.
And that’s how one can simultaeneously be ready to shell out for some good whisky and be outraged by some high prices– no hypocrisy needed. And yeah it would be great if my favorite whisky cost less than 100$, but what can you do? Anyways, Rodion, the whole idea of a magic bottle is supposed to push people in the direction of exploring their fantasies and fantasies are fantasies for so many reasons.
I think your points are fair Red. I notice that no one has opted to choose a Managers Choice bottle as their dream dram.
Well, there are a lot of distilleries that haven’t made the list, doesn’t mean that John should stop reviewing their drams as well. Man, I really am playing devil’s advocate. I’m not trying to anger anyone, but if Bruichladdich can sell the 5 y/o Octomore for $180 and no one freaks out, then why can’t Oban release a 9 y/o for $350?
I have to straighten you out on the Oban 9 price: 300 british pounds not 350$.
And as a matter of fact, I have been freaking out about the price of the Octomore since it came out. I love that whisky, but the price makes me too angry to buy it. So there
.
Red, are you coming to WhiskyFest Chicago? I must say, I’d like to get you a drink.
Hey Mark, this reply is for you @ March 12, 2010 at 10:45 am.
I would love a free drink at WhiskyFest Chicago, but I live in boston. I won’t be able to make it down. But if you’re ever in the area, please do let me know one way or another. By the way, I’m curious about your writing style– do you have any interest in analytic philosophy?
Red, before leaving academia about eight years ago, I did analytic philosophy. It seems long ago. The reply comment to MrTH at 43, which I just re-read, was…well, I had reached recreational level when I wrote that. I try to avoid talking that way, and especially writing that way. It’s an old life I was glad to leave — loved the discipline, loathed the profession.
Red, how about WF New York in November? I’ll buy you one in the Apple!
You know Sam, I’ve been looking into things and there’s a very good chance I’ll take you up on that
btw the “reply” function seems to have maxed out on this thread. It’s like every reply has to be to my comment @3/12 10:02 am.
Red, Sam, I changed the settings. The setting for most nested comments allowed was 8. I upped it to 10, which is the max allowable. This should help.
Dallas Dhu 1981 27 years (Duncan Taylor bottling). A fantastic whisky. Or perhaps Longmorn 16. For some reason I have a fancy for that whisky.
Did you ever try the 15?
Springbank 25.
Tough chose between the Ardbeg uigedail and the HP 18.
both i could drink all day long everyday, instead of water!
Dallas Dhu 1981 27 year (Duncan Taylor). What a magnificent bottling. Or perhaps Longmorn 16. I have quite the affinity for it.
Highland Park 18 years, a allround classic.
I would have too have a great old Springbank, bottled for Juul´s in Copenhagen, a wine and whisky specialist store. From 1966, it was a bottle I am happy I bought, but at the same time I regret not buying a few more !!
Little did I know that it would be such a fabulous tasting dram !!
Soo many good ones too choose from, a great dram that can still be purchased is the 1971 Invergordon from Berry Bros in London, tropical fruits and a yummy finnish…
tough choice but at this point, either one of the better er15yo or 17yo sb’s or a pappy.
Rosebank 12 Flora & Fauna…..kinda brings a tear to your eye…
I guess it’s time for me to chime in here with my choice. I had some pretty amazing 21 year old Springbanks distilled back in the 1960s and 1970s: complex, dynamic, and very drinkable. They varied to a degree in the amount of sherry (I personally liked the ones that weren’t heavily sherried), but I don’t think I ever tasted one that let me down. (Although I would also be quite content with a bottomless 1973 or 1974 vintage Longrow.)
My first instinct was Pappy 15 but the more I thought about it I would have to lean toward a limited edition, once in a lifetime bourbon, therefore, I would go with Wild Turkey Tradition. I truly fantastic bourbon in my opinion
Sending this from bumby road in Scotland
Bunnahbhain 1968 Old Aquantance – Ardbeg Provenance 1974 – Original Black Bowmore – among my favorites
Not being greedy but I’d say it woud be between the HP 25 (round bottle, black label), Macallan 18 yo 1981, Brora 30 or Port Charlotte PC5…that’s a hard choice. Make it harder, what if your bottomless bottle is your only bottle?
Pappy 20.
(where’s the THAT WAS EASY button?)
The desert dram has to be flexible: it has to fit my ever changing moods but no dram is going to cover ALL taste profiles. So, it comes down to my two most common moods- peat and sherry. That is why I’d pick Bowmore OB 17yo. It has the peat for when I want peat, and is finished beautifully for when I want that sherry taste. It also has tropical fruits on the nose…perfect for the deserted island.
Murray McDavid Mission IV Clynelish … or Springbank 21
For me, it would be the bottle of whisky which fits to my mood
After a while, it would be too boring to taste the same whisky all the time.
Invite me to the party with those folks who said Laphroaig 25 or 30, Highland Park 25 or 30, and Lagavulin 21. I’ll bring the Scott’s Selection 1985 HP (20 year old), or the MacPhail Collection HP 30, or the Glenfarclas 1974,the Glenury Royal, the Bruichladdich 1970 Zindhumbrecht Finished, the Black Adder Caol Isla 14 or 16 year old, the Spirit of Scotland, the McKinlay (if they dig it out of the Antarctic ice) the John McDougall’s Selection Bladnoch 15. or the Glen Ellen.
And for most versatile whisky, I’d vote either Highland park 12 year old, or G&M Mortlach 21.
But I’m not a snob, I’d come to everyone else’s party too!
Kampai!
A 1996 Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit.
Maybe it’s some nostalgia, but I deeply regretted waiting too long to open my bottle of Bruichladdich 3D3 (Norrie Campbell Tribute) and discover how great it was and well crafted. It blew me away, but my local store hasn’t been able to get any more. For pure hedonistic fun that I would love to have forever available (though not necessarily to drink all the time), it would be this one.
I’m gonna have to go with Ardbeg Supernova.. (not the most creative answer, but it just rules as an Islay)
Lagavulin 21 or HP 25?
Lagavulin 21 or HP 25?
Lagavulin 21 or HP 25??????
This can take a lot of time………………
One of these wonderfull single cask of benriach 1976(not finished).
I would say : cask 8080 (but I would be happy with another one too)
You never have enough of this.
Not far behind I was thinking about :
- Talisker secret stills 1.1 1955/2005 from G&M
- Longmorn 1972/2008 43° from G&M (the bottle go down awfully quick, waiting the second one)
- Laphroaig 1964/1981 43° BBR
MARS
Port Ellen, annual release (2nd or 7th either one of them).
The whisky from PE would then never dry up.
I wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg to drink them.
Secondly, It always surprises me hoe complex they are.
To pick one I would prefer the 2nd release.
If the genie has a tight budget and PE is out of his range, then the Lagavulin 12 yo Natural cask strength.
Either 2008 or 2009 bottling. I cannot decide which is the best. Tests are still ongoing.
Now I’m entertained. Mark, I think that Red can afford his own scotch, he’s just toying with me. One, final update on pricing, The Whisky Exchange has the Oban at 222 GBP with Google tell me is $336, then you have to throw in shipping. Maybe they lowered the price after the backlash to that line of whiskies seen on the other thread.
On a more serious note, whisky does seem to be shifting towards the collectible side of things. From the phenol war, to these distillery rarities, to the 70 y/o Mortlach. As a good little nerd growing up, I used to collect coins, baseball cards, and comics, and I’ve seen it all before. I’m tempted to equate it to seigniorage, in which coins and currency, meant for circulation, is instead collected. This is why the US was issuing new designs on the currency up the wazoo these past 5 years. Comics took a huge hit in the late 90s when people realized all this speculation about crappy limited and special editions was just that: speculation. In my mere 30 years on this planet, I’ve realized that:
1. people like stuff especially if someone deems it rare or special
2. the value of something is what someone is willing to pay for it
It’s the reason that the Octomore can be both delicious and overpriced at the same time. Contrary to what I’ve written so far might imply, I think the Octomore is overpriced, both for being a 5 y/o and for being $180. I’m simply not paid enough to buy a bottle of scotch for much over $100 and feel like I’m really getting my money’s worth. If I were rich, I’m sure that price point would be a tad higher, but for now, I’m sticking to my easily available Islays as daily drams; Ardbegs and Lagavulins in particular. Maybe it’s just my curiosity, and I don’t want to offend you, but what do you feel comfortable shelling out for a nice bottle of whisky on a consistent basis without the hopes it’ll be magically refilled?
I never toy Rodion– Not on the MA… this whisky stuff: serious. Especially this magic whisky stuff
And yeah I am going to buy Octomore, BUT only since the gf agreed to pay half.
Which one are you going for? I guess the 1.1 isn’t that readily available anymore (but they still seem to have it at drinkupny.com), but I’d be interested to hear comparisons between the 3 that are now out. I also wish I could afford to try the Ardbeg Supernova. I love every Ardbeg I’ve tried until now, and the Supernova has a good chance to be in the running for my magically refilled bottle, if it wasn’t so darn ‘spensive. There were rumors of a 2010 Supernova, but no word on that lately.
Id say Lagavulin 12 yo natural cask strength 2008 or 2009 bottling.
Anything from Port Ellen, but that is maybe too expensive for the genie
I’m such a peathead that it almost pains me to say, but my bottomless bottle would be the very rare Glenmorangie Claret Wood finish. And I’ve still got about 1 and 1/4 bottles left, they should last til I’m 60 (another 22 years).
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2009. I am on bottle #2, but I am about to go buy two more. It is fantastic.
Pappy Van Winkle 25 Year Old . . . Not an everday drinker, but one to drink if ever and whenever you see it. It won’t come cheap, but if the opportunity comes along. Do it.