Threshold for Cracking Open A Special Bottle

[SMOWK]

The older I get the lower the threshold. I have come to realize noting is as special as a fun evening with close friends or family.

This seems to be my though process as well. I like to believe I've got a long way to go, and I'll be one sad puppy if the private SB picks dry up and I don't have enough to last me 'til the end.

[unclebunk]

This seems to be my though process as well. I like to believe I've got a long way to go, and I'll be one sad puppy if the private SB picks dry up and I don't have enough to last me 'til the end.

The end could be tomorrow, bro. Drink!:grin:

[LostBottle]

Q: The threshold for cracking open a special bottle?

A: Because it's there!

[sailor22]

This seems to be my though process as well. I like to believe I've got a long way to go, and I'll be one sad puppy if the private SB picks dry up and I don't have enough to last me 'til the end.

Also, I have realized all the "big" transitional events are done with ... well, except for one, and I while I might be there I won't be drinking.

[Trey Manthey]

Also, I have realized all the "big" transitional events are done with ... well, except for one, and I while I might be there I won't be drinking.

Liver transplant?

[boneuphtoner]

I've only been an enthusiast, and so far, for my palate, I've only come across one bottle of juice that I can truly say is special. And that is the FR Small Batch Limited Edition 2012....the only thing I've tasted that made Pappy 15 and all of my JPS 18's taste bland and uninteresting. Through alot of effort, I was able to procure a grand total of 5 of them. Since these probably won't be made available again, I will probably only enjoy pours of this a few times of year with either good company, or where I'm doing nothing else but savoring the best bourbon on the planet (for my palate anyway). I figure 5 bottles should last me at least 20 years+ with only a few pours per year and aggressive use of 100% argon gas preserver....whaddayathink?

[SMOWK]

The end could be tomorrow, bro. Drink!:grin:

[Rockefeller]

I've only been an enthusiast, and so far, for my palate, I've only come across one bottle of juice that I can truly say is special. And that is the FR Small Batch Limited Edition 2012....the only thing I've tasted that made Pappy 15 and all of my JPS 18's taste bland and uninteresting. Through alot of effort, I was able to procure a grand total of 5 of them. Since these probably won't be made available again, I will probably only enjoy pours of this a few times of year with either good company, or where I'm doing nothing else but savoring the best bourbon on the planet (for my palate anyway). I figure 5 bottles should last me at least 20 years+ with only a few pours per year and aggressive use of 100% argon gas preserver....whaddayathink?

[HighInTheMtns]

I've only been an enthusiast, and so far, for my palate, I've only come across one bottle of juice that I can truly say is special. And that is the FR Small Batch Limited Edition 2012....the only thing I've tasted that made Pappy 15 and all of my JPS 18's taste bland and uninteresting. Through alot of effort, I was able to procure a grand total of 5 of them. Since these probably won't be made available again, I will probably only enjoy pours of this a few times of year with either good company, or where I'm doing nothing else but savoring the best bourbon on the planet (for my palate anyway). I figure 5 bottles should last me at least 20 years+ with only a few pours per year and aggressive use of 100% argon gas preserver....whaddayathink?

[Yeti]

I have around 40-50 bottles and they're broken down into three general categories - "fair game" "on deck" and "in the collection". First are open or can be open anytime for any reason:

Open bottles

"affordable" bottles from active distilleries

Second are waiting for a whim, or company who appreciate a good whiskey experience:

Limited Edition bottles from active distilleries (compass box flaming heart, OF Birthday, BTAC, single oak project)

moderately aged bottles (15-25 year scotch, 4RSB 17 year)

single cask scotch from independent bottlers

The third are being held for...something. They include things like:

Port Ellen 9th Release 1979 30 Year

Bowmore 1970 35 Year Sherry Cask

Glenfarclas 40 Year

Brora 1981 24 Year

Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 6

6-8 or so bottles from 1982, my birth year.

i drank Glenfarclas 30 for my 30th birthday in September. I thought long and hard about whether I could afford the GF40 in 10 years of whisky bubble build and decided to grab one now, so that's on hold. Maybe the bowmore for 35? The PE for a first child? No hard plan, but the whisky is far more valuable than what I should (read: can) afford, and I like knowing that it's there and I can have it whenever an event that feels appropriate occurs.

Edited December 12, 2012 by Yeti

[Trey Manthey]

The third are being held for...something. They include things like:

Glenfarclas 40 Year

Brora 1981 24 Year

Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 6

Coincidentally, I've opened one of each of these in the last two weeks (except the Brora is 1982, I think, a Connoisseur's Choice). They are all good, but if you build them up too much it's sure to be a disappointment when you finally get around to taking the first sip. I can tell you this, none of them are that magical.

I think everyone should crack open one of their precious bottles right now, take a sip, and post a picture. Unless, you know, you're worried about the resale value.

[Special Reserve]

I don't have a threshold for opening a "special bottle" but I do have a few that I have yet to open.

I waited more than 3 months before I opened my a CGL WT12, and over a year before opening my 1st PVW 15. Mostly because I didn't feel that I was ready to open it.

Will

[RVTsteve]

I think everyone should crack open one of their precious bottles right now, take a sip, and post a picture. Unless, you know, you're worried about the resale value.

cool idea.

this could get good.

mine will have to wait but I'll post one this evening.

[RVTsteve]

... Mostly because I didn't feel that I was ready to open it.

I've felt this way myself. I have a bunch of mid shelf stuff and I've felt like I'm not ready or worthy of the better stuff yet or if I break into my better stuff I might spoil my everyday pours.

However, as I've tasted my better bottles I've come to realize it only enhances my palate and increases my ability to appreciate all my bottles and to better pick what I want to taste at any given time.

[Yeti]

Coincidentally, I've opened one of each of these in the last two weeks (except the Brora is 1982, I think, a Connoisseur's Choice). They are all good, but if you build them up too much it's sure to be a disappointment when you finally get around to taking the first sip. I can tell you this, none of them are that magical.

I think everyone should crack open one of their precious bottles right now, take a sip, and post a picture. Unless, you know, you're worried about the resale value.

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That certainly does look a delicious dram of Balvenie. The Brora is actually a Signatory Cask Strength Collection, as is the Bowmore 1970. I appreciate the perspective, and I definitely know that it's just whisky, whether expensive and rare or not. But with that said, I'm someone who tends to like things more than dislike them, and while there won't be a eureka moment, I will thoroughly enjoy and appreciate them all in due time.

I'm also not wanting for anything to drink. I try to buy in threes when I purchase from specialty stores in either a 2-to-drink, 1-to-keep, or vice-versa approach. And I make plenty of local drink-immediately purchases, so I'm very happy to keep certain bottles sealed an untouched for now. There comes a time for all things.

[Trey Manthey]

There comes a time for all things.

Yes, that time is NOW! Personally, I want to see a picture of you drinking straight from the bottle of the 40 year Glenfarclas.

I'm calling you out too, Rockefeller. Fill up one of those fancy ORVW glasses and take a sip. I promise you'll feel great about it. It's way more baller than your GF catching you making out with the bottle.

[Yeti]

HAHAHAHA. I like you, Trey. A great majority of my bottles are boxed and out of the house as my wife and I have begun the process of selling our home. But I have a few bottles in the cabinet that I can offer up for this thread a little later tonight.

[smokinjoe]

I really only have one "untouchable" bottle. The Maker's VIP bottle that I had made up when my daughter was born. I'll only open that on her 21st Birthday. A few months less than 7 years from now.

[tanstaafl2]

The Three R's!

Rhum, Rye and Roggenaer.

Three special bottles that I opened without much fanfare, mostly because I wanted to drink them.

The 15 year old Rhum JM was a birthday present to myself earlier this year and is probably the most expensive bottle in my modest collection. Certainly the most expensive rhum/rum. It has not only been opened but has been shared with a few friends.

The VW Rye is not necessarily expensive but as we know can be a bit challenging to track down. Just got this one and opened it just now for the very special occasion of this post!

The Roggenaer represents one of the first oddities I acquired from overseas. A rye based jenever, it also spent 15 years in the barrel and is a most delicate spirit. It is as different from the first two as the the first two are different from each other.

I look forward to enjoying all three on this very special evening at the end of days on 12/12/12!

I have very few unopened bottles, mostly duplicates, but oddly the only one I deliberately haven't opened yet is the Parker Heritage Collection Golden Anniversary. Just seemed like a bourbon that needed to be contemplated before I decided whether to crack it open. So far that moment hasn't come yet.

Pretty much everything else will get opened at some point. My latest acquisition of some note, the Angel's Envy Cask Strength, will join the ranks of the opened bottles in the near future.

[LongBeachScott]

You can put me in the camp of saving special bottles for special occasions - I think saving a hard to find bottle adds anticipation. That said, it can be easy to overdo it and set yourself up for disappointment. So, I try to set the threshold low. If you aren't having 5 or 6 special occasions a year,your threshold is too high. Or, it could be you are having a bad year - in which case you should drink up.

[Yeti]

Trey, this is the best I can do with what's on hand.

[Trey Manthey]

You are the man. I'm convinced whiskey tastes better that way.

[RVTsteve]

Not my most special bottle, but it's a start.

BMH 16yr

[ChainWhip]

How do you like that ArteNOM 1146 Anejo?

[Kyjd75]

My most recently acquired "valued" bottle, this years' VWFR Rye, will be opened and consumed on January 8, 2013, starting at 10pm, which coincides with the beginning of the 4th season of "Justified." A gathering of "Justified" enthusiasts will converge at my place and the bottle and the show will be celebrated.