Safe to drink 30 year old whisky?

[dalechmd]

I have a bottle of rather old Jonny Walker Swing that is properly stored, in a sealed glass bottle for almost 30 years? Color of liquid still clear and amber, cap & seal still tight & intact, do you think the whiskey still good to drink? Any concern for lead poisoning for being in glass bottle so long?

[Dale]

I have a bottle of rather old Jonny Walker Swing that is properly stored, in a sealed glass bottle for almost 30 years? Color of liquid still clear and amber, cap & seal still tight & intact, do you think the whiskey still good to drink? Any concern for lead poisoning for being in glass bottle so long?

If indeed properly stored, no problem - swing away!

[505Gibbs]

If its truly a glass bottle - no problem. The issue with lead is if its stored in a lead crystal decanter or bottle.:eek:

[blenderm]

You won't have a problem with lead as it's not used in standard bottles only crystal. The whisky should be OK to drink but the only way to find out is to try it [I'd recommend that way] and as long as it's been kept away from heat and sunlight then it should be great,
Slainthe

[dalechmd]

Thanks for all the replies. I couldn't wait till last couple of replies and opened the bottle. Poured myself a glass and the entire room is filled with a pleasant aroma of dried fruit and dark chocolate. To the palate, it was very rich, silky flavor. A glass of this old Swing is such a good companion at night over some Vivaldi's cello concerto or Kodaly's Romance Lyrique. I am so thankful for the Swing and for you Whiskey connoisseurs out there.

[blenderm]

We all like to help, it could be an idea to save a little and try it against a current bottle to see if there's any difference. Part of the fun when you find an old bottle.

[dalechmd]

Will do shall share my take with you all.

Thanks

[dalechmd]

Got myself a bottle of Swing Saturday night ( last night), opened and compared the new to old. I started with the old, knowing the new will be more edgy. But ... the difference is unbelivable. It is as if they are totally different species of animal. It's like listen to Chopin nocturne and then put on Rod Steward's Tonight's Night. Well, at least it not rap. The 30+ yo Swing, took my thoughts soarign passing blue clouds under clear moon with perfume like dates and nuts aroma. I put away the new bottle, sipped on the old one and my heart sail away for a moment back in time, savoring the bitter sweet of the past..... Sorry, need to stop to refill.

[Mickey]

Whenever you don't have VSOP (very special old port) you can fake it like this: take a bottle champagne and put a spoon into the bottle, then get rid of the carbon dioxide. Add Martini rosso and red wine. Finally add a little bit whiskey and you have some perfect VSOP. Experiment with the amounts if you want - you will have a stunning VSOP result.