Handles?

[hambone]

I was running the numbers in my head the other day at the store and it is much more economical to buy a handle instead of a fifth (especially on sale). Assuming it is a bourbon you know you will like and have space in the cabinet are there any drawbacks to a handle? Does the extra air in the bottle cause issues when it gets low?

[Enoch]

I use handles for Bourbons I drink regularly. I use it to refill an empty fifth bottle so it doesn't take up so much room on the shelf.

[cowdery]

Unless you're extremely sensitive to it, oxidation damage takes years to develop in a partially full bottle. Presumably you are contemplating the purchase of handles because you go through those products pretty quickly.

I don't buy a lot of handles, but always have one of Very Old Barton BIB on hand.

[tip]

There is always a handle of Forty Creek Barrel Select in my liquor cabinet.

750ml x 12 bottles = 9 liters @ $222.02
1.75L X 6 bottes = 10.5 liters @ $221.03

If I'm buying by the case that's a free* 1.5 liters and a savings of $0.99 to boot.


* Your wife might not find this "free", mine doesn't.

[hambone]

Unless you're extremely sensitive to it, oxidation damage takes years to develop in a partially full bottle. Presumably you are contemplating the purchase of handles because you go through those products pretty quickly.

I don't buy a lot of handles, but always have one of Very Old Barton BIB on hand.

Not sure how quickly I will go through them, but I have bought handles of EJ12, WT101 and Dickel 12 recently when they were on sale. They are 3 of my favorite everyday pours.

[cigarnv]

Not sure how quickly I will go through them, but I have bought handles of EJ12, WT101 and Dickel 12 recently when they were on sale. They are 3 of my favorite everyday pours.

Your other option is to pour off the remainder of your handle into a 1 liter bottle to help minimize the effects of long term oxidation......

[SMOWK]

Handles always seem to disappear faster than 750s around here. The mentality is: "You've got a whole handle, drink up my friend."

[OscarV]

I've never seen anything in a handle that I wanted to drink.

[CaptainQ]

I've never seen anything in a handle that I wanted to drink.

I'm with you Oscar. Here in WA they never stock anything but bottom shelf juice in handles. The few 1.75s I have were purchased elsewhere. I only have a few: Weller 12, OWA and SW Old Fitz(see a trend here).

[callmeox]

I've never seen anything in a handle that I wanted to drink.

Rob has a handle on his counter that may change your mind.