Do you have a fresh bottle cracking routine?

[AaronWF]

My ritual upon opening is to keep an open mind. Lots of things affect my experience of a bottle, from my mood and the context around the pour to oxygenation of the whiskey and an evolving palate. Many bourbons seem to improve with air, but all bourbons immediately improve when the seal is removed and the top is popped.

[BootsOnTheGround]

I will say that the ritual of placing the top on the table and then pulling the bottle off of it definitely allows it to air out much quicker.....and also requires a mop.

I typically drink the first 2/3 quickly and then save that final 1/3 for a few weeks, months, even a year+ later. I'm just gangsta like that.

[Josh]

I smash mine open over the head of a midget. Sorry, little person.

And don't worry about it, she's paid well.

[kjbeggs]

All of you delivered the smartassness I was hoping to encounter in this thread. Bravo!!

Take a bow and leave the stage. You are legends!!

Release the Crackin'!

[393foureyedfox]

we are such a conglomeration of dorks....:grin:

[squire]

That's Mr. Dork if you don't mind, a little respect is in order.

[ethangsmith]

I christen every bottle of whiskey I open by smashing a bottle of Van Winkle 20 over it.

Jokes aside, this is something I've never experimented with. I've seen other threads talking about airing out whiskies, but I never tried it. I will agree though that that first pour is always different than the rest- sometimes better, sometimes worse. Maybe one of these days I'll start messing with this concept. I've got a bottle of the new Rare Breed that may need some air. Now that I'm 1/2 way through the bottle, it's starting to really have a nice flavor.

[Harry in WashDC]

Dear Mr. Ethan G Smith (AKA that Michter's/Pennco person) - I never experimented, either, and don't really have a routine as I joked earlier, other than usually using a glass. BUT, very late (like, a couple months ago) in my 45+ years of drinking bourbon legally, the SB discussion of OGD 114 encouraged me to buy my first bottle of it. I opened it and poured out about 1.3 oz. I found it harsh, hot, and reminiscent of styrene plastic burning. As I posted on that thread, I had to go stop a cat fight and when I got back, I tasted it again. And again. Sweet warm fruit ambrosia, candy corn, and a warm alcohol coating. Thus, I have no ritual, but now I sure do give untasty bourbon several chances to bring me around.

[squire]

It's your winning personality Harry, they just hafta get to know ya.