Bottles that have been NURSED for years

[HighInTheMtns]

You have me beat, I still have half a bottle of VWFRR originally purchased and opened July 2009. I don't want it to hit 5yrs, just waiting for the warmer months.

As far as nursing goes, obviously I don't have anything against it. Nothing wrong with hanging on as long as you can to something you probalby won't ever see again.

I'll come help you with that VWFRR

[BTshorty]

I also have 50+ open bottles that I love to slowly enjoy and share. I sometimes rifle through some bottles faster, but

there's always some bottle calling - "Hey, come visit me !" Or some new purchase begging to be tried. Currently don't

have many open more than a couple of years, but I know there will be more. May be incorrect handling practice to the purist,

but just having too much fun with the current variety !!

[petrel800]

I've got a Saz 18 thats been open since Christmas 2012, probably has a little less than 25% left. Has held up well.

[TunnelTiger]

None but I've only been drinking Bourbon for a year and until I joined SB I never had more than one or two bottles on the shelf. Of course there has been a dramatic change in that scenario.

[Scubarex]

I keep a dozen or so things open to hit on...oldest probably 09 PVW 15, EC18, Handy 11, FRsmb11

[BTshorty]

I also have 50+ open bottles that I love to slowly enjoy and share. I sometimes rifle through some bottles faster, but

there's always some bottle calling - "Hey, come visit me !" Or some new purchase begging to be tried. Currently don't

have many open more than a couple of years, but I know there will be more. May be incorrect handling practice to the purist,

but just having too much fun with the current variety !!

Just did a walk through and found I actually have a Handy, Bookers, and a 1.75 Crown Royal that have been

open about 5-6 years..

[dcbt]

Just did a walk through and found I actually have a Handy, Bookers, and a 1.75 Crown Royal that have been

open about 5-6 years..

I noticed yesterday I have a crown royal that must be open 6-7 years by now. I don't even ever remember drinking crown. Ever. I used to buy it for girls I think back in my bachelor days hah.

[ratcheer]

I have bottles of Rock Hill Farms, The Balvenie, Remy-Martin XO, and Courvoissier that have been nursed for years. The two cognacs were purchased in Martinique in 1990.

Tim

[Gillman]

I rarely do this, either finishing them fairly quickly or blending them. However, I have two ryes I've kept about a year in a warm part of the room and both are affected IMO by oxidation, that tell-tale "earthy/dirty metallic note". They were half full, too. Recently, I tasted from a number of bottles in an office after work, a friend of mine, and had the ditto experience. I could tell the bottles had been opened and closed quite often and noticed that he didn't close them until the session was over, which presumably was the practice on his previous tastings. This has lead me to think that unless the bottles are kept on the cool side, well-sealed and not opened constantly, there is a real risk of oxidation. I think temperature may be the most important factor.

The simple reason this does not happen in cask in a hot warehouse is, IMO, the much higher alcohol content of the cask, and the wood environment, all that tannin and char.

Gary

Edited February 17, 2014 by Gillman

[Auracom]

I have a dozen or so bottles open right now, which is way too many (would prefer maybe 4-5). Of those, I plan on finishing 10 within the next year. The other 2 are definitely special occasions-only. They're both still quite fresh and have been opened less than 6 months, but I've done my best to make them last. Used Nitrogen spray and they're sitting down in my basement storage in complete darkness with a temp range of 50-70 F throughout the year.

[VT Mike]

What's the rule of thumb for when to do the nitrogen thing?