Im not even sure what the occasion will be that warrants opening it. Just like the great Justice Potter Stewart said, “I know it when I see it.” I bought this bottle off the shelf prior to it being discontinued and I have held on to it ever since.

  • thirdorbitalM
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    1 year ago

    Good stuff, I love some of the unique Balvenies!

    My most prized bottle is a Shackleton Discovery Edition signed by Richard Patterson himself, which was a birthday present from my wife many years ago. I don’t know if that will ever be opened. Aside from that, I have many that have appreciated to the point that it would take a very special reason to crack it open. Whiskybase has my Dalmore Mackenzie and Blood Oath Pact 1 as the most expensive.

    • Alchemy@lemmy.worldOPM
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      1 year ago

      I love the story of that bottle. Have you had the chance to try a non-signed bottle to open and see how it tastes?

      • thirdorbitalM
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        1 year ago

        After staring at it for years I finally cracked open a non-signed bottle just a couple months back to celebrate a major life event. Here are the notes from my journal:

        Distiller: Mackinlay

        Product: Shackleton’s

        Bottle: Discovery Edition

        Category: Islay

        Aged: -

        Nose: Honey, wheat, figs, and just a hint of peat smoke.

        Body: Olive oil coated peaches drizzled in caramel and honey. A bit of tobacco leaf and black pepper the longer it sits. Starts smooth as silk and sharpens dramatically.

        Finish: Vanilla, marshmallow nougat, toasted oak and just a bit more tobacco.

        Activation: Trades the sweet caramel for a sour citrus, full of tangerines and key limes. Overall a poor trade.

        Notes: This is the big one. The story of Ernest Shackleton and his whisky has been told several times over, so I won’t recount it all here. Suffice to say that the Discovery Edition is the definitive work of art, fresh from mass spectroscopy with a tiny dilution of the salvaged malt inside. It’s a bottle that has high sentimental value to me and thus I waited years for an occasion worthy of opening the ornate wooden case. It is at once every I wanted and something of a surprise. It is subtle but firm, peated but delicate, complex but straightforward. The legend is larger than life but the whisky is honest and workmanlike. This dram is truly worth exploring and celebrating.

  • thynecaptain@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    It’s my wild turkey 101. That is my dangerous drink that I know if I am going to drink it, i’m going to be fucking up really bad.

    • Alchemy@lemmy.worldOPM
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      1 year ago

      LOVE me some WT101. I am having a glass right now. I honestly challenge anyone to give me a better bottle at the mid $20 price range that is commonly available that is worthy to drink neat. I want one of those Austin Nichol’s gold foil old bottles. Theyre going for over a grand on the auction site I check out occasionally. Of course, I like rye so that is a huge part of my WT love.

      • Botzo@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Just found this community, so sorry for a necro-post.

        I’m also a giant WT101 fan. If you haven’t picked up a Old grandad (OGD) Bonded recently, it’s always the one I lean on for a bit more of that rye without going to a straight rye. Is it better? Obviously that’s ultimately a matter of opinion, but it’s certainly in the same category in both price and quality. Huge value bourbon.

        • Alchemy@lemmy.worldOPM
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          1 year ago

          I have never had the OGD bonded before, I have had the 114. I am a fan of that. I will have to try to the bonded sometime when I see it for a reasonable price. I am on the hunt for this:

  • Ron_Swanson@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    About 10 years ago, I bought an old bottle of Bunnahabhain 18 for £50 and decided to set it aside for the day I retire.