What Shall I Open?

[Deactivated Member]

I find myself in a peculiar position. (Hold on a moment...ungh...there, that's better.) I usually have four to six bottles open at a time, and the ones I have on the go at the moment are all pretty close to the end. I am planning to finish them all, and then open four or five new ones all at once, more or less. Just for the sake of discussion, I would like to know which bottles each of you would open, given the inventory below. (I also expect to acquire a Bruichladdich 15 and a Glenrothes '74 in the next week.) The one qualification is that you must aim for variety in flavor, region, value, and age, although I will entertain thoughts on any specific hth you think ought to be done. So tell me which bottles, and why. I will collate the responses (discounting the silly poll above) and tell you the results, plus my actual choices, when the time comes, which will probably be in a week or two.

I'll do my best to get these columns lined up, but in any case you will find the distillery name, age (where stated), any applicable designation, alcohol by volume, bottle size, and bottler, if not the distillery. (The Valinches were bottled by BDA--that's me!)

Aberlour 10 43.0% 1.00
Aberlour a'bunadh batch 14 59.5% 0.75
Ardbeg 6 Very Young 58.3% 0.70
Ardbeg 10 46.0% 0.75
Ardbeg 10 46.0% 0.75
Ardbeg 17 43.0% 0.75
Ardbeg 17 40.0% 0.70
Ardbeg 21 Cask Strength 56.3% 0.70
Ardbeg 25 Lord Of The Isles 46.0% 0.70
Ardbeg 1975 43.0% 0.70
Ardbeg Uigeadail 54.2% 0.75
Balvenie 10 Founder's Reserve 43.0% 1.00
Balvenie 12 DoubleWood 43.0% 0.75
Balvenie 12 DoubleWood 43.0% 0.20
Balvenie 21 PortWood 43.0% 0.75
Brora 24 Rare Malts 56.1% 0.70 G&M
Brora 26 Old & Rare 54.9% 0.70 Laing
Bruichladdich 15/1989 Cask 58.4% 0.75 G&M
Bruichladdich 1989/13 Full Strength 57.1% 0.75
Bruichladdich 1989/13 Full Strength 57.1% 0.75
Bruichladdich 12 Valinch 60.2% 0.50
Bruichladdich 14 Links Royal Troon 46.0% 0.75
Bruichladdich 1969 Cask 54.3% 0.35 G&M
Bruichladdich 1989 The Tonga Valinch 57.0% 0.50 BDA
Bruichladdich 1989 The Tonga Valinch 57.0% 0.50 BDA
Bruichladdich 1989 Lord Robertson Valinch 54.8% 0.50 Dist
Bruichladdich 1990 Flora McBabe Valinch 55.2% 0.50 Dist
Caol Ila NAS Cask Strength 55.0% 0.75
Caol Ila 12 Claret Wood Finish 40.0% 0.70 G&M
Caol Ila 21 Rare Malts 61.3% 0.70 G&M
Clynelish 12 60.2% 0.75 Cadenhead's
Cragganmore 10 Cask Strength 60.1% 0.75
Dalwhinnie 15 43.0% 0.75
Glen Rothes 1990 Un-Chillfiltered 46.0% 0.75 Signatory
Glendronach 15 40.0% 0.75
Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve 43.0% 1.00
Glenfiddich 18 Ancient Reserve 40.0% 0.75
Glenkinchie 10 43.0% 0.75
Glenmorangie Traditional 57.5% 1.00
Glenmorangie Sherry Wood Finish 43.0% 0.75
Glenmorangie Madeira Wood Finish 43.0% 0.75
Glenrothes 1985 43.0% 0.75
Glenrothes 1992 43.0% 0.75
Highland Park 1992/12 Cask 58.1% 0.75 G&M
Highland Park 12 3 x 333ml set 40.0% 0.33
Highland Park 18 3 x 333ml set 43.0% 0.33
Highland Park 18 3 x 333ml set 43.0% 0.33
Highland Park 25 3 x 333ml set 50.7% 0.33
Highland Park 25 3 x 333ml set 50.7% 0.33
Lagavulin 1980 Distillers Edition 43.0% 0.75
Lagavulin 1980 Distillers Edition 43.0% 0.75
Macallan 10 Cask Strength 58.7% 1.00
Macallan 12 43.0% 1.13
Macallan Fifties 40.0% 0.50
Macallan Forties 40.0% 0.50
Macallan Thirties 40.0% 0.50
Macallan Cask Strength 57.4% 0.75
Oban 1983 Distillers Edition 43.0% 0.75
Port Ellen 1979/24 Third Release 57.3% 0.70
Port Ellen 22 Rare Malts 60.5% 0.70 G&M
Port Ellen 24 59.4% 0.70
Port Ellen 1979 Cask 60.7% 0.35 G&M
Talisker 20 62.0% 0.70
Talisker 25 59.9% 0.70
Talisker 1986 Distillers Edition 45.8% 0.75
Unspec Islay 5 Vintage Islay 58.4% 0.70 Signatory

[Danny]

Well Mr. T, if I had your inventory and was going to open just five they would be:

Aberlour a'bunadh batch 14
Ardbeg 17 43.0% 0.75
Talisker 20 62.0% 0.70
Dalwhinnie 15 43.0% 0.75
Glen Rothes 1990 Un-Chillfiltered 46.0% 0.75 Signatory

[Virginia Gentleman]

Impressive inventory. I would open:

Lagavulin 1980 Distillers Edition
Dalwhinnie 15
Highland Park 18
Glenmorangie Traditional

[Jan]

Umm... nice stash TH - hard choice really

Keeping your criteria in mind, I would go for:

Clynelish 12 60.2% 0.75 Cadenhead's
(For a non islay smokiness - HIGHLAND)
Aberlour a'bunadh batch 14 59.5% 0.75
(For when in the mood for a sherry monster - SPEYSIDE)
Dalwhinnie 15 43.0% 0.75
(Soft & refined, for when in the mood for a light dram - SPEYSIDE)
Highland Park 18 3 x 333ml set 43.0%
(For the honey, the smoke, the heather, the overall quality of this fine dram - ISLAND)
Port Ellen 1979 Cask 60.7% 0.35 G&M
(Fab dram - drink it while it's possible to replace it. - ISLAY)

If I were to disregard your criteria and just go for favourites, the list would be:

Ardbeg 17 43.0% 0.75
Ardbeg 25 Lord Of The Isles 46.0% 0.70
Balvenie 21 PortWood 43.0% 0.75
Highland Park 18 3 x 333ml set 43.0% 0.33
Port Ellen 1979 Cask 60.7% 0.35 G&M
Talisker 20 62.0% 0.70

Looking forward to see your what you end up opening...

Cheers
Jan

[Badmonkey]

George Mason? Yeah, I had him.

Anyway, Mr. T., here's my list from your list:

Talisker 25
Aberlour a'bunadh batch 14 59.5% 0.75
Port Ellen 22 Rare Malts 60.5% 0.70 G&M
Glen Rothes 1990 Un-Chillfiltered 46.0% 0.75 Signatory
Alberta Premium

[Lawrence]

Aberlour A'bunadh Batch # 14
Ardbeg Very Young
Cragganmore Cask Strength 10
Glenfiddich 18 Ancient Reserve
Highland Park 25

Variety and age.

[Deactivated Member]

Dammit, Badmonkey, I don't have an Alberta Premium! But you knew that.

The a'bunadh is getting a lot of votes--I should have left it off the ballot, as it is one of the bottles I have going at the moment. Feel free to make a substitution. For the record, what I am in the process of draining is as follows:

a'bunadh
Uigeadail
Balvenie 15
Whisky Shop Laphroaig 17
Highland Park 25 (which is only down to a half, so it will be in the mix for a while)

Recent empties include:

Balvenie 25
Highland Park 12
Lagavulin 25

So ideally, I will open something other than these, although a bottle of Balvenie 15 is always, perpetually a possibility.

[parvus]

Any chance of some photos of these bottles?

[Mr Ellen]

Why just open 4 or 5 bottles? Well, if I was restricted to 5 only I would probably go for these:

Ardbeg 1975 - Something peaty tp represent the Isle of Islay. I wish I had one of these bottlings left. Mine is almost empty and I if I only had a second one I wouldn't hesitate a minute!!

Cragganmore 10 CS - I haven't actually tried this one, but I've read a lot of positive comments on this and it could also be one to represent the Highlands.

Glenmorangie Sherry Wood Finish - Another Highlander, this one from the coastal area. And the sherry finish makes a good complement to the others.

Highland Park 18 - It doesn't really matter if you go for this or the 25 (which in my opinion is even better). This probably best defines the character of the distillery and the Orkney Islands.

Talisker 20 - A wonderful Island whisky with a lot of flavours. One to sip after the guests have gone home.

And then I would swap one of the Bruichladdich's for a Rosebank and open that one too, just to complete the picture.

Cheers
________________________
Anders

[bamber]

Wow - what a list. It's difficult, because you have so many great whiskies there. I guess you should open 1-2 great ones and 3-4 good ones.

Big Peat: Ardbeg 1975 43.0% 0.70

Two bottles and you love 'Laddie: Bruichladdich 1989 The Tonga Valinch 57.0% 0.50 BDA

Complex middleweight: Glenfiddich 18 Ancient Reserve 40.0% 0.75

Mellow peat to see off the Ardbeg: Lagavulin 1980 Distillers Edition 43.0% 0.75

This whisky is rubbish AND you have a litre of the stuff - better get started: Glenmorangie Traditional 57.5% 1.00 (only kidding it's ok but my least favourite 'Orangie)

[Choochoo]

Cragganmore 10 Cask Strength 60.1% 0.75
Brora 26 Old & Rare 54.9% 0.70 Laing
Caol Ila NAS Cask Strength 55.0% 0.75

There you go, that’s some variety in bottles. Plus, all being high powered ABV, if you get too snookered, I can drive up to Springfield and help myself to your other bottles while you’re passed out. AhHa!

[irishwhiskeychaser]

I would go with the line why only 5????

You need more variety in your life

but if you insist

Aberlour a'bunadh batch 14
Highland Park 25
Glenrothes 1985 43.0% 0.75
Lagavulin 1980 Distillers Edition 43.0% 0.75
Talisker 20 62.0% 0.70

[Deactivated Member]

Only five because I don't want them open for too long--if I have more than five going, one or more tend to get forgotten.

Good suggestions so far, but remember, I've had a'bunadh and HP 25 recently, and want something else. Also, as tempting as it might be (especially as it's theoretical on your part), try not to pick five "special" bottles--at least three should be more-or-less everyday bottles. Variety in all facets.

Those of you who claimed to have had George Mason are obviously liars! Except VG, maybe.

[Deactivated Member]

Talisker 20
Macallan Fourties
Clynelish 12
Caol Ila 21 Rare Malts
Ardbeg Lord of the Isles

Just my varied opinion,
WH

[Bullie]

I would try to find 5 completely different whiskies. To cover most of your personal moodes.

Perhaps these:

Brora 26 Old & Rare 54.9% 0.70 Laing
Bruichladdich 1969 Cask 54.3% 0.35 G&M
Clynelish 12 60.2% 0.75 Cadenhead's
Glenrothes 1985 43.0% 0.75
Port Ellen 1979/24 Third Release 57.3% 0.70

Some coverage of different styles of whisky.

[Deactivated Member]

Any chance of some photos of these bottles?

I would love to oblige, but given the egregiously unfathomable bachelorly disarray around here, it would be a major project. But I'll think about it.

[Choochoo]

Ok, here is a more thoughtful list of what I would open. A mix of special and everyday bottles, all have individual character, some require more attention, while others can be enjoyed without undue contemplation.

Oban 1983 Distillers Edition
Cragganmore 10 Cask Strength
Glendronach 15
Ardbeg 10
Port Ellen 1979/24 Third Release

[Scotchio]

Any chance of some photos of these bottles?

I would love to oblige, but given the egregiously unfathomable bachelorly disarray around here, it would be a major project. But I'll think about it.

" A world without women is chaos"

[jimidrammer]

Ardbeg 21 Cask Strength 56.3% 0.70--To compare with the Uigeadail you're finishing

Balvenie 21 PortWood 43.0% 0.75--To keep a Balvenie in rotation, always a good thing.

Bruichladdich 1989/13 Full Strength 57.1% 0.75-- Because I really want your full impression on this one, I'll be picking one up in a couple weeks

Talisker 25 59.9% 0.70-- Because you really need to save the Talisker 20 62.0% 0.70 for a "special" occasion, or so I hear.

Glenrothes '74--Wait for this one as you may be a little disappointed in the Glen Rothes 1990 Un-Chillfiltered 46.0% 0.75 Signatory


If not all these heavy hitters, maybe:

Lagavulin 1980 Distillers Edition 43.0% 0.75
Glenmorangie Traditional 57.5% 1.00
Cragganmore 10 Cask Strength 60.1% 0.75
Ardbeg 25 Lord Of The Isles 46.0% 0.70
Brora 24 Rare Malts 56.1% 0.70 G&M
Port Ellen 22 Rare Malts 60.5% 0.70 G&M

Just because I'll probably never see them. I have run across the Cragganmore, but @ $195US!!! for a 10yo C/S

And what, not a Glenfarclas in the bunch? The 21yo & 25yo are must have's.

[rifkin]

Call me simple, but I'd kill for a zip of HP 25.

[MGillespie]

" A world without women is chaos"

A world without women is either...

1: quiet
2: not worth living...

Bruce, here's a thought...leave it up to the whisky gods. Just write down each whisky, put the slips in a hat, and do a random drawing. From that list, you're bound to choose a winner...

Mark

[Deactivated Member]

Oh, I'll have no trouble choosing. It's just fun to see what y'all think. Everybody wants to open all the biggies, though... This is contrary to the established criteria!

jimidrammer has been the most thoughtful so far, exactly what I was hoping for. But he still names three from the top shelf! jd, I've had the Full Strength and loved it--'Laddie character in spades, and a marvelous oily texture. Possibly my favorite non-single-barrel Bruichladdich.

Hmmm...a world without women is like a bicycle without a fish....

[MGillespie]

Oh, I'll have no trouble choosing. It's just fun to see what y'all think.

Is the sound I hear coming from the north that of Mr. Picky gnashing his teeth at the sound of "y'all"?

Mark

[Deactivated Member]

Mr Picky fully recognizes that "y'all" is a very useful pronoun. And Mr T is happy to assimilate whatever uselful bits he can from various cultures. Good on ya, ye glaekit scunner, eh?

[Scotty Mc]

I would go for a CS from every region. If you're going to do it, do it properly. Your liver won't be pleased though

[Deactivated Member]

Empty your stock of Ardbeg and Port Ellen, enjoy them for what they are and replace them on your next visit over here

[MacLover]

Here are my recommendations, but not my top 5. I tried to avoid picking everything from what I thought may be on your top shelf (but probably did not do a good job of it) and also trying to keep to your criteria.

Islay
Ardbeg 17

Highland
Brora 26 Old & Rare

Island
Talisker 20

Speyside
Cragganmore 10 Cask Strength

Highland Park 25

If this does not work for you, put on a blindfold, reach your hand out and pick five bottles. Regardless, you can't go wrong .

[Badmonkey]

[quote="MrTattieHeid"]

Those of you who claimed to have had George Mason are obviously liars! Except VG, maybe.[/quote]

Look, he told me his name was George Mason. What do you want me to say?


Time for a drink in any event. Because Mr. T-licious won't drink the Alberta Premium, I will! Cheers, everyone.

[Deactivated Member]

George Mason went down. But I'll bet you knew that, Badmonkey!

[Virginia Gentleman]

George Mason went down. But I'll bet you knew that, Badmonkey!

Damn. Just another reason why I hate Florida. I still have not forgotten about the 2000 election. If GMU won I was going to open my 1984 Glenrothes. I live close to Fairfax and the city is pretty somber right now.

[Deactivated Member]

Open it anyway, VG! You have nothing to feel sad about. GM won four straight as heavy underdogs, a remarkable achievement, and went far deeper than anyone ever imagined they could. They were supposed to be one-and-out! I lift my dram of Laphroaig 17 (Whisky Shop) to them. They are winners!

[Virginia Gentleman]

Open it anyway, VG! You have nothing to feel sad about. GM won four straight as heavy underdogs, a remarkable achievement, and went far deeper than anyone ever imagined they could. They were supposed to be one-and-out! I lift my dram of Laphroaig 17 (Whisky Shop) to them. They are winners!

Your right and I think I will open that bottle. To our friends on the other side of the Atlantic who do not know what we are talking about. George Mason making it this far would have been equal to a lower divison team going to the Premiership and beating Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

[Badmonkey]

[quote="MrTattieHeid"]George Mason went down. But I'll bet you knew that, Badmonkey![/quote]

And how! I loved the way GM played. Teamwork from top to bottom. It wasn't the happiest finish, but GM has nothing to be ashamed of.

[Deactivated Member]

Okay, back on topic. I will probably start opening new bottles in a few days. I don't just want to know what you would open; I want to know why. Tallying up numbers in a poll is thoroughly uninteresting, as far as I'm concerned, which is why my poll answers are so silly. What each of you think is of far more interest to me. And to repeat--I want variety of age, value, region, taste, and price. And another thought--think about what else is in the inventory, that will be opened later.

[Badmonkey]

If you insist on reeling us back in, Mr. T, I will grudgingly oblige, but just this once.

Here are my picks for your picks:

1. Brora 24 Rare Malts 56.1% 0.70 G&M: I don't know a thing about it, and I'm pretty sure I can't afford it. Were I in your underground whisky lair, I'd be tempted to open it while your back was turned.

2. Macallan Forties 40.0% 0.50: Shops are stocking it, so obviously someone is drinking it. It does not seem to be a topic of discussion on the forum. Should it be?

3. Oban 1983 Distillers Edition 43.0% 0.75: The family of a dear friend of mine hails from Oban, and the whisky produced there has never done me wrong.

4. Glenrothes 1992 43.00% 0.75: I like the bottle, I like the flavour. Maybe you will too. The older expression is tempting, but since I already cracked open your Brora I'd best show a little more restraint.

5. Bruichladdich 1990 Flora McBabe Valinch 55.2% 0.50 Dist: On Wednesday, April 5 I'll be attending a Bruichladdich tasting. Alas, this one is not on the menu. I hope to experience the dram vicariously through you.

That is all.