whisky in the dark

[Ize]

If I may be so bold as to venture a view, I would have to observe that these so-called auctions that some of you have mentioned are debased by the fact that some of the fundamental principles of this market are not being observed.

For anything to be sold at auction you need to have firstly, a knowledgeable and well-informed audience of bidders, secondly an auction-house that has the expertise to understand the lots being put up for sale, and thirdly (and this, dear sweet boys, is where I come in) a body of knowledge, supported by pontificating experts, that can demonstrate the provenance and authenticity of the items that are being sold. Oh dear Nation – look to your dry-as-dust-museums will ye not ?

In the world of so-called antique whisky you seem to have none of these things – so fairy-tale bottles are produced like rabbits from a hat (forgive the rather high-church allusion at this time of year), and as bait, swallowed hook-line-and-sinker (sorry sweet boys, but I do so like getting my hook in the water) by those who know nothing, but want everything.

As far as I can estimate, for the forger, this is as near to a Perfect Market as dear Adam Smith could have imagined.


The Spirit of the Late Sir Roy Strong

Expert on many things

Pontificator General

Sometime curator of museums

Gardener

[lexkraai]

Hi Ize

I quite often get miniatures when I'm curious about a whisky but don't want to buy a full bottle at first. The only thing against miniatures is that it doesn't allow you to try a whisky a couple of times and so discover notes you didn't notice at first. But for a first impression, they're fine IMHO.

Cheers, Lex

[St.Peat]

Ize -- Whisky is meant to be enjoyed, and miniatures can be part of that enjoyment

I believe that the UK and the EU have a broader range of minis available, but there are places in the US which offer a good selection too. Japan's reputation for them is formidable

Not only are they a 'safer' way to experiment a bit, but they also can be purchased while one is otherwise on a buying 'freeze'. For example, I recently found an OB Longmorn and another version bottled by Cadenhead. I doubt that I would purchase a full bottle of both for the H2H, but my total outlay for the minis was $15 or so ... not bad.

There are many full-fledged mini collectors out there, and so it may be difficult to locate some expressions.

Go for it! Enjoy them! You can even arrange a tasting of minis ... let participants bring their own, and swap a bit before starting. It can be great fun, and a nice alternative to the costlier full-out tastings. Each 50ml bottle holds 2 moderate-size drams, right?

Cheers!

[This message has been edited by St.Peat (edited 07 May 2002).]

[Nodin]

I was under the impression that each mini held one good sized dram...not two moderate sized drams
I have a few minis in my collection but go with full bottles when ever possible...another option is half bottles.

[Ize]

I would consider half bottles (0.33l or 0.35l right?) but they are very rare. Very few "collection" packages I have seen, but I would like to select what bottles I will buy. I don't like the idea that when wanting to test one bottle you have to buy others that I'm not so keen on. More rare thing seems to be 0.2l bottles. That size, IMO, would be the best. With 5 drams you would know for sure whether you love or hate it.

Kippis,
Ize

P.S. I have measured three 5cl bottles, each have been so far nearer to 6cl than to 5cl.

[This message has been edited by Ize (edited 08 May 2002).]

[Nodin]

You are right...there are very few half bottles available locally (minnesota) but when i was in the mother land last month there seemed to be quite a few available...
All were standard expressions though. Talisker 10yo, Macallan 10 yo, Glengoyne 10yo, Oban 14yo, etc.