Empty Bottles Support Group

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

A friend came over last Monday and we drank a bunch of my good rye. The next day I was shocked to find that my VWFR Rye 13 was empty. Then I remembered that I had willingly poured the last of it. I knew I had another bottle on the way.

Ed

[fitzharry]

I finished off another bottle of Old Grand-Dad BIB 100 proof. This was the bottle I drank for the BOTM tasting last month, but I still have five more bottles in my bunker (even though it's readily available at my local liquor store). I really like that orange label and screw-top!

[jburlowski]

Finished off my bottle of OFBB 2006. After my tepid initial reaction, I found that I liked this pour more and more over time. Just goes to re-confirm that every bourbon needs /deserves several tastings over time before a final judgement is made.

[Rughi]

Well, this isn't quite about empty bottles, as none of them are really emptied. But I did finally get organized and stored away a portion of my open bottles. It cleared up a lot of storage space while securing the longevity of many good whiskies.

Any bottles less than 1/2 full got stored into well-sealed 4 ounce bottles that should keep me in taste memories for decades. I think these small bottles, filled with virtually no headroom and a really good plastic seal in the cap are much more secure than standard bottles.

A few really special bottles were put away in several 4oz'ers even though they were mostly full, so I never have more than a few ounces at a time with the "clock ticking" on them. In this way, I'm confident that National Distillers, Stitzel Weller and the DSP's 414 , 31, and 19 will live as long as I do (at my house).

In the space of about 6 750ml's I put away 4 cases of 4oz'ers holding the remainder of these 31 American Whiskies and 4 Scotches. Some bottles I put into 4oz'ers just so I can get rid of the bottles, which is why these fairly pedestrian Scotches got put away.

Here is a discussion on the 4oz'ers I like so well.

Roger

[heatmiser]

Any bottles less than 1/2 full got stored into well-sealed 4 ounce bottles that should keep me in taste memories for decades. I think these small bottles, filled with virtually no headroom and a really good plastic seal in the cap are much more secure than standard bottles

I have quite a few 375ml bottles that I do the same thing with. Once the standard 750ml bottle is half full the contents get shifted into a 375ml bottle. In between I spray them with Wine Preserver (nitrogen) to keep the oxygen away.

[boone]

Any bottles less than 1/2 full got stored into well-sealed 4 ounce bottles that should keep me in taste memories for decades. I think these small bottles, filled with virtually no headroom and a really good plastic seal in the cap are much more secure than standard bottles.

Roger

Hi Roger,

Keep a eye on your little bottlings. Make sure they are in a "cool" space :grin: :grin: No heat...

One of my responsibilities at Heaven Hill is to keep the bottles filled at legal "fill point" by weight/volume, after a line change, on every line. The head space is very important. If alcohol is warm the volume will rise. If there's no head space for this rise in volume, loose caps and even "popped tops" will occur. Even a dropped bottle on the floor will cause the caps to become loose. Proper torque is most important. You'd be surprised, I've seen the caps loosen from a fall to the box because of "improper torque" :grin: :grin: :grin:

Just a little maintenance training sent your way :grin: :grin: :grin:

Bettye Jo

[Rughi]

Hi Roger,

Keep a eye on your little bottlings. Make sure they are in a "cool" space :grin: :grin: No heat...

One of my responsibilities at Heaven Hill is to keep the bottles filled at legal "fill point" by weight/volume, after a line change, on every line. The head space is very important. If alcohol is warm the volume will rise. If there's no head space for this rise in volume, loose caps and even "popped tops" will occur. Even a dropped bottle on the floor will cause the caps to become loose. Proper torque is most important. You'd be surprised, I've seen the caps loosen from a fall to the box because of "improper torque" :grin: :grin: :grin:

Just a little maintenance training sent your way :grin: :grin: :grin:

Bettye Jo

Thanks Bettye Jo,

I'll see if I have to pour off a little sip on any of them.

Roger "DSP 31 Forever!" Hodges

[HighTower]

What a weekend. The recycling bin contains an EC12, Maker's Mark, 2x Canadian Club Classic, 1x CC 1L. Disappointing as none of my new additions got opened!

Scott

[JDutton]

Disappointing as none of my new additions got opened!

Well now - Who's fault is that? :grin:

[HighTower]

Well now - Who's fault is that? :grin:

My fault - for sure, however I'm glad I didn't get drunk and waste my Pappy 20 I was planning on opening. I want to enjoy it:grin: and that I will do when the time is right.

Scott

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

My fault - for sure, however I'm glad I didn't get drunk and waste my Pappy 20 I was planning on opening. I want to enjoy it:grin: and that I will do when the time is right.

Scott

Ya godda get to work! :grin:

Of the nine bottles I got on Monday seven are open. The only ones that are still sealed are backups for open bottles waiting to be emptied. But that is what this thread is for.

Ed

[dougdog]

Waving good-bye to the first empty Thomas Handy Rye bottle...man that stuff is good, worse yet, my son likes it...now there's extra pressure!....shees!

He's already asked when the next one is going to be opened, when he found out, well, that wasn't soon enough to suit him, so, he asked if he could buy it outright...I said "dream on sonny" go find your own!...as he poured the last little bit into his glass, commenting on the char-dust that was evident in the very last pour.

Gotta luv that char dust...and everything that comes with it...good job BT !!!!!!!!!!

Yum!

[Virus_Of_Life]

Well the night before last it was the 2005 ER17 that bit the dust, finally, wasn't sad to see it go and quite honestly will not be buying anymore. It just isn't up to the standards of the other BTAC IMO. Maybe they should change it to Barrel Proof, it's good just not good enough to spend $50+ on. But I digress, tonight it is the 141.2 Stagg that looks like it'll be biting the dust. I've been focusing on finishing some less than half full bottles and I am about done and ready to open a few new bottles. :grin:

Last night it was about two bottles of Patron Silver that some co-workers and I polished off at El Torito... oh and a few pitchers of XX... The big boss was there and commented that he thought I was a bourbon guy and asked about how many unopened bottles I have. I explained that I've never been into monogamy and that I treat the loves of my life, Bourbon, Rye and Tequila, equally!

[T47]

Gotta luv that char dust...and everything that comes with it...good job BT !!!!!!!!!!

Yum!

I finally found the courage to finish my Stagg. Working that char dust over the tongue...taking in every bit of wonderful flavor. This bottle has been good to me. Shared several pours with the neighbors, many good memories. I gently lowered it into the recycle bin and bid farewell.

:toast:

[cowdery]

It's good now and then to remind everyone that the purpose of this thread is to provide support when our friends undertake the difficult but necessary task of finishing a beloved whiskey. Well done Doug, Todd, Scott and the rest of you. It's tough love, but you showed the moxie to get the job done. Congratulations!

[TNbourbon]

I finally found the courage to finish my Stagg. Working that char dust over the tongue...taking in every bit of wonderful flavor...

I, too, emptied a Fall 2005 Stagg tonight. Little or no char -- luck of the draw, I guess, for better or worse. Being something of a whiskey iconoclast, after some time sipping, I finished the last ounce-and-a-half or so by pouring some diet cola atop it -- sorry but, frankly, I like it that way.

[T47]

I finished the last ounce-and-a-half or so by pouring some diet cola atop it -- sorry but, frankly, I like it that way.

Never apologize for enjoying a drink the way you like it. The Stagg will elevate the coke to a new level!

From the size of your bunker...The information your share with the Bourbon community (your Guru Status)...I would say your appreciation of Bourbon is well documented, you enjoy your drinks any way you please!

[jeff]

Tonight is was a bottle of 17yo Vintage Bourbon. Not only is this the cheapest in the Vintage lineup, it's also the best. I have been sipping on this one for about 6 months now. I will definitely replace it! :yum:

[pepcycle]

I finished my Vintage 17 YO last night as well. I was reading a book for pleasure, something I haven't done except on vacation. It was great. I felt like I should put on a robe and silk ascot, ala Hef. I almost shot myself in the foot with the Patty (for Valentine's Day) when I asked her to put another log on the fire. It landed behind me. Not anywhere near the fire.

I will replace this.

Ed

[cowdery]

It sounds like The Patty was off her game. I'm sure she intended it to go just a little bit further, and I don't mean into the fire. More like into the back of your head.

[ggilbertva]

Tonight is was a bottle of 17yo Vintage Bourbon. Not only is this the cheapest in the Vintage lineup, it's also the best. I have been sipping on this one for about 6 months now. I will definitely replace it! :yum:

I finished off this evening with Vintage 17 also. I only have about 2 pours left, or 1 healthy pour. Too bad for me VA doesn't carry Vintage.

[straightwhiskeyruffneck]

tonight was a wild turkey night, 101 and rarebreed. guess that tells me i like wild turkey. i think russel's reserve is probably next on the chopping block

[TBoner]

Well, the beauty of both 101 and Rare Breed is they are replaceable at a very reasonable price given the quality.

That RR101, on the other hand...

Here's hoping it lasts a bit longer.

[CrispyCritter]

My single-barrel Saz Jr. just gave up its last pour... I better go get another one - even if it's just as likely to have an evaporation problem as the first one. :grin:

[OscarV]

I just finished the last of my Pappy 20.

I opened it around Christmas and only been hittin' it when the mood was right.

Today? Well,....it was Friday and good-bye Pappy.