Collecting Rarities

[OneCubeOnly]

Wow! By my offhand comment to Mark I've opened up an exciting can-of-worms here!

You've touched upon a couple of subjects which intrigue me...one of which is the concept of casting 'pearls before swine'. Obviously, you don't want to serve your Pappy 23 to the barbeque crowd...nor your '83 Lafite-Rothschild. But at the same time, you don't want it to get inherited by some unappreciative relative who will either sell it at a yardsale or make wine spritzers with Sprite & Kool Aid. At *SOME* point these rarities either need to be categorized as complete collectibles and protected, or enjoyed by those who (one hopes) will appreciate their finesse.

I suppose this is like a life-savings...ultimately the winner is the person who dies penniless, or in this case, bourbonless. But at the same time, I imagine collectors like Mark take more pleasure in *OWNING* these treasures than ultimately drinking them.

There's also that saying that "whoever dies with the most toys (or in this case bourbon!?!) wins!"

Cheers!

[Paradox]

Oh, I do take pleasure in owning them, but there is no doubt in my mind about it, eventually they will start to get opened. Only thing that would stop me is if down the road old bourbon really goes up in value or something and I need the money... Don't forget, I still have quite the many years to enjoy these suckers. Hell, some may even get passed down to my kid when I eventually have one.

[Gillman]

I have found that when I serve very good whiskey to people not familiar with bourbon but who enjoy a drink and like to experiment, they usually identify quality right away. E.g., I have served, say, ORVW 13 year old rye next to, say, Jim Beam rye whiskey and people almost always express a strong preference for the older, better whiskey. The same in Scotch, e.g. recently I served Lagavulin to a guy that likes generally Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. He could instantly taste the difference and appreciated the traditional character of the aged Islay whisky. If there is a general party and people aren't focusing on the drinks served, it makes sense in my view not to serve rare or expensive whiskeys. However in a small setting, a tasting in effect, where there is the opportunity to discuss the offerings, I find people generally know what's good pretty quickly regardless of their prior knowledge.

Gary

[bobbyc]

An excellent point, Gary. When quality is present, there's no hiding it. Especially when one has an inferior example to contrast it to.

[gr8erdane]

I'm thinking of adding a codicil to my will stating that my collection of open bottles will be boxed up and hand delivered by my executor to the General Nelson Gazebo on the opening night of Bourbon Fest where I know it will be nurtured accordingly and at least someone will toast my memory.

The closed bottles will be buried with me. I'm taking them with me.

[TNbourbon]

Kinda reminds me of Joe Diffie's "Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox".

[Barrel_Proof]

codicil

Dane's got next Sunday's crossword puzzle already finished!

The closed bottles will be buried with me. I'm taking them with me.

Not a chance! We're all visiting to pay proper bourbonian respects before anyone else arrives!

[tlsmothers]

Maybe I should start a subscription to the St. Charles, Missouri newspapers just to keep an eye out for your obit.