JFlay Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 (edited) On a sad note, my Grandfather in law passed away last week at the ripe old age of 99. He used to buy high end bottles of scotch, bourbon, etc as he liked to entertain in his little place on the north side of Chicago. I knew he had some decent bottles but didn't know to what extent until we started cleaning stuff out...I am hoping the pics show, however, here were some of the finds: Old Fitzgerald (specialty run) - Aged 15 years. Label states is what barreled in 1948 and bottled in 1963 Wellers Barrel Proof Aged 10 years at 110 proof Wellers Barrel proof Aged 7 years at 107 proof IW Harper Early Times (old bottle), 90 proof (I believe) He had some other novelty bottles - Beam Choice in the decorative porcelain containers and some Old Fitzgerald bourbon in hollowed-out candle stick looking things.... OK - the file size pic is too large...not sure I can post pics...I'll see if I can find a way JFlay Edited September 15, 2016 by JFlay Picture upload Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlay Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 Found a way to upload the pics...I will snap some clearer pics of the Wellers bottles. The pic of mixed bottles also includes a bottle of old Tequila and a Ballantine's 30-year old scotch he had laying around. The bottle with the small crown on top was labeled BPR Straight Bourbon Whiskey...never heard of that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 That VOF is a beauty, just make sure you keep it upright at all times... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FacePlant Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Wow. How cool to have a bottle that was barreled almost 70 years ago! Very Old might have been appropriate in the 60s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlay Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 Paddy - why upright? My grandfather used to keep them titled to the side...his reasoning was that the liquid keeps the cork moist so it will not dry out. Saying that, all of the corks feel like sawdust.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bourbonmakesmepoop Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Paddy, I also heard that you should turn the bottle every couple of months if unopened in order to moisten the cork. Is this true as well or BS? not that I'm storing any for too long anyway, but I do have a OFBB on my sons birth year for the future and don't want to ruin it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOwhisky4me Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 No, the bottle on its side or tilted to keep the cork moist is only valid for wine. Spirits such as bourbon with higher alcohol content has an adverse effect when kept in contact with the cork... It can actually degrade the cork and taint the flavor of the bottle contents. I have had first hand experience with this in the past with a few old bottles of bourbon that had also been stored on their side for a number of years by a friend of my dad. Unfortunately the bourbon was definitely effected by it's method of storage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bourbonmakesmepoop Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I figured that, but should you periodically turn it over for a second, or is the whole moistening the cork thing false? I'm talking only turning it over for a second a couple times a year or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, JFlay said: Paddy - why upright? My grandfather used to keep them titled to the side...his reasoning was that the liquid keeps the cork moist so it will not dry out. Saying that, all of the corks feel like sawdust.... The cork is the weakest link. Undisturbed, with a proper seal, stored upright, and away from direct sunlight... your whiskey has a better shelf life than most of us here. The anal retentive, i.e. many members here, also use parafilm wax for long term storage. https://redwhiteandbourbon.com/2015/02/17/parafilm-is-your-friend/ And no, you don't need to turn or flip it ever so often. In this case, it's best to leave well enough alone... Edited September 16, 2016 by Paddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.B. Babington Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 are they going to be left as remembrance or opened on special occasions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyfish Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 On 9/15/2016 at 11:15 PM, Paddy said: The anal retentive, i.e. many members here, also use parafilm wax for long term storage. And by "long term storage" we mean until next Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlay Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 I was hoping to keep most for a bit - already broke into the I.W Haroer and the bottle of Early Times - both a crazy full of flavor and taste. Also tried some Old Fitz that was in the hollowed out candlestick...also full of flavor. Wish they still made bourbon this way. Also so just found a bottle that was made during prohibition which has the US restrictions label stating it is "for medicinal purposes only" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altadoc Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 damn! what a great adventure and what a great way to be able to remember your grandfather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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