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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
