Threshold for Cracking Open A Special Bottle

[BourbonRob]

I have no problem drinking, that's for sure. I like to move away from the top shelf once I no longer remember whats in the glass anyway.

[Yeti]

I haven't started Justified yet, but I have many friends who are enthusiastic about it. If it's worth celebrating with a VWFRR then perhaps it's my kind of show as well!

Another specific bottle I have set aside for next year is a 1963 Cambus Single Grain 48 Year that I'm planning to open for my birthday next year, when it will be 50 years "old", and then to also have a drink on the anniversary of Kennedy's death, and then again at New Year's Eve.

[RVTsteve]

How do you like that ArteNOM 1146 Anejo?

Funny enough and a bit on topic I haven't opened that bottle yet. But I've had it before and it's excellent, as is the entire line. My favorite of that line, and perhaps my favorite tequila, is still the 1414 reposado.

[Trey Manthey]

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

BMH 16yr

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14546[/ATTACH]

That's a beautiful sight. How is that one? I've only seen it at a bar here for $30 a pour!

[RVTsteve]

That's a beautiful sight. How is that one? I've only seen it at a bar here for $30 a pour!

Yeah I saw one and hesitated a few days but went back for it figuring I'd likely not see another on a shelf.

I like it. Lot of wood on this 16yr, maybe too much for some, but it's right up my alley. Tastes like you expect an older bourbon to taste. For better and worse.

Before she knew I had already poured anything my gf turned to me and said she wanted to drink "something brown" then realized she was smelling this whiskey from across the room. She took one sip and really liked it. She asked me why she likes it so much, I was just like "it's really tannic with lots of oak and tabacco and heat". She was like, "Yep, that's it." ...lucky me

Edited December 13, 2012 by RVTsteve

[Smokewagon]

As a general rule I don't wait for special occassions to open "special" bottles, you or the bottle might not make it that long. For me, opening a "special" bottle is what makes the moment special. As long as I have friends around to share it with and who will enjoy it, there is no time like the present.

~SW

[WAINWRIGHT]

As a general rule I don't wait for special occassions to open "special" bottles, you or the bottle might not make it that long. For me, opening a "special" bottle is what makes the moment special. As long as I have friends around to share it with and who will enjoy it, there is no time like the present.

~SW

For me this says it all,a special bottle is best to be shared with others who will truly appreciate the pour for what it is whether it be friends or family.

[RWBadley]

As a general rule I don't wait for special occassions to open "special" bottles, you or the bottle might not make it that long. For me, opening a "special" bottle is what makes the moment special. As long as I have friends around to share it with and who will enjoy it, there is no time like the present.

~SW

[Rockefeller]

"I’ve seen to many enthusiasts’ whisky collections auctioned off by their spouse after they die, and I’ve learned from that. Better to open up that special bottle now and share with like-minded friends."

[tanstaafl2]

Yeah, what he said...

I'm amazed if the bottle makes it out of the store before I open it. I've come to know my retailers, perhaps a little too well. One day about 10AM he says "I've been holding one for ya" Cool, it's the WLW. After payment I said- "hey, you ever try this?" peeled off the top and opened it on the spot. yummmm. tasty stuff we both agreed. This has happened more times than I care to admit, and not with just that one store... :cool: It does give me a leg up for the new arrivals

Been there, done that! Heck, I have even brought a bottle from one store to another to try to convince them to carry something and make it closer to home for me!

[Restaurant man]

Bad day. Nuff said.

[Gillman]

Its purchase.

Gary

[squire]

It's presence . . .

[AaronWF]

Thirst. Lust. Desire. A-googley moogley.

[RWBadley]

Been there, done that! Heck, I have even brought a bottle from one store to another to try to convince them to carry something and make it closer to home for me!

heheh... I can see that... "Here, you guys should get this stuff, so's I don't hafta drive cross town to those other guys"

I like it

[squire]

That actually worked for me once but the owner was my client so that may have helped.

[tanstaafl2]

heheh... I can see that... "Here, you guys should get this stuff, so's I don't hafta drive cross town to those other guys"

I like it

It has worked on occasion. Never with bourbon but I did have success with a particular rum. And occasionally with an uncommon mixer like Cocchi Americano or a specialty bottle like Pineau des Charentes or sometimes a particular beer or brewery line. Although for the most part these days the larger good stores all carry pretty much the same thing.

[KySalesRep]

Reading this thread has inspired me to open a few bottles have I have recently acquired. I think I will start tomorrow night and open one every night until the New Year is here. On the list to open: 2012 WLW, 2012 GTS, 2012 THH, PVW 15, PVW 20, ORVW 10/107 made in Lawrenceburg, and a FRSB LE 2012. I am looking forward to each and every one of them, just have to figure out which one to open first! Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

[sailor22]

Alllllright KySalesRep!! And a Happy Holiday Season to you too!

[dustyj]

I let my taste buds determine where to go next. I usually start out on the bottom shelf or a standard pour to see if I am " in the zone" and go up from there. If I am firing on all cylinders then I will make a move to the cherished goods.

Edited December 27, 2012 by dustyj

[wheatfield]

I agree with your reasoning completely. I don't see the point of waiting for some special life event to open a major bottle. The day you open one, THAT is the event. I opened my ORVW decanter set on a Wednesday afternoon I think, right before I went to the post office, no shit. I rarely drink anything during the day, but I figured "I have this" and I had an open PVW 23 so I had very small pours of each to give a good comparison.

[wheatfield]

Ack. Well, I agree with you. I just didn't explain my reasoning very well. The gist was that I don't need a special occasion to open a special bottle.

I agree with your reasoning completely. I don't see the point of waiting for some special life event to open a major bottle. The day you open one, THAT is the event. I opened my ORVW decanter set on a Wednesday afternoon I think, right before I went to the post office, no shit. I rarely drink anything during the day, but I figured "I have this" and I had an open PVW 23 so I had very small pours of each to give a good comparison.

[LostBottle]

You cracked open your ORVW decanter, wheatfield? On a Wednesday? Good on you!

Edited April 4, 2013 by LostBottle

[black mamba]

My grail bottle was the PVW20, and I've only ever seen one of them in the flesh, the one I bought. Found it in Phoenix, AZ, about 1,400 miles away from home, and no price gouging. I paid $84 + tax, about three years ago. As soon as I got home, I called my drinkin' buddy over to share it with me. We had a couple ounces apiece, then corked it up. Every time he came over we shared a dram. I made it last a good long time.

For me, the reality exceeded the expectation. It was truly fantastic, the best $90 I ever spent on myself. And the sharing of it was a big part of MY enjoyment of it. Don't set up too many rules, just enjoy your whiskey-- that's what it's all about.

[wheatfield]

You cracked open your ORVW decanter, wheatfield? On a Wednesday? Good on you!

I did! It was a middle week afternoon...kind of embarrassing in a way. I put up some pretty bad notes, I have to update those. John Hansell's review of that bottle from Whiskey Advocate is amazingly insightful.