[michael]

Originally Posted by blenderm

URGENT -FOR EDGAR - DO NOT KEEP YOUR WHISKY IN ANTIQUE CRYSTAL DECANTERS.

I've just noticed this thread and this may seem silly but all older lead crystal decanters have a high lead content of up to 23% and any whisk[e]y's will start to extract the lead if it's left in the decanter for any length of time, I'm talking about weeks not years. All whisky sold in decanters for the past 30+ years are sold in a style of crystal that contains no lead and is safe for use.

In the 60's and 70's there were a number of deaths from lead poisoning in the US that were caused by lead glazed pottery being brought back from Mexico. THis caused checks to be made on all possible lead contaminants and crystal was near the top of the list.

If you want to use it for show when you have guests then fill the decanter before they arrive and empty it back into the bottle after they have left.

Yes, I was made aware of the lead dangers a couple years ago. I have three old beautiful crystal decanters filled with aged bourbon and Scotch whisky on my living room shelves. I will only pour from them if someone is going to smoke a cigar with me. At that point a little extra lead isn’t going to matter.