Selling bottles of whisky ????

[Mike B]

Just new here at the site but I see several posts where different individuals have come across single bottles of old whiskey through various means. Anyways, I assume most of us here are whisky drinkers. Why would anyone be interested in selling off a 40-year-old bottle of whiskey that their grandfather had in the house? It just surprises me that people seem so reluctant to open and drink it, rather than wonder as to it's value (which likely isn't a whole lot of money) and then consider selling it. Just seems a bit strange to me, perhaps others might disagree?

[bkblankenship]

Originally Posted by Mike Ballash

Just new here at the site but I see several posts where different individuals have come across single bottles of old whiskey through various means. Anyways, I assume most of us here are whisky drinkers. Why would anyone be interested in selling off a 40-year-old bottle of whiskey that their grandfather had in the house? It just surprises me that people seem so reluctant to open and drink it, rather than wonder as to it's value (which likely isn't a whole lot of money) and then consider selling it. Just seems a bit strange to me, perhaps others might disagree?

I agree with you Mike. I have found that because someone has found an old bottled blend in their grandfather's house while cleaning, that is a common bottling, they think it is worth a gahzillion dollars. I'm not sure most people are whisky drinkers that hit this site as there are a lot of UNREGISTERED and GUEST users. Why not just register. It's easy to do and cost nothing. Whisky is meant to be drunk. I do understand collecting as I am a collector myself, but there isn't a bottle that I have that I won't open. My son can attest to that as I opened my bottle of BLACK BOWMORE ( now selling at The Whisky Exchange for $4700.00 ) for my grandson's Christening. I refuse to sit around and wonder about the taste of an expression because it cost me money. The money is already spent; so why not enjoy with family and friends. A person has never enjoyed the true qualities of whisky until they have fully walked around the block. One can brag that they own a bottle of BLACK BOWMORE, but I can brag that not only have I owned a bottle, but that I have tasted it as well. The tasting experience not only enhanced my appreciation, but also added to my knowledge of the drink that much more.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by bkblankenship

I agree with you Mike. I have found that because someone has found an old bottled blend in their grandfather's house while cleaning, that is a common bottling, they think it is worth a gahzillion dollars. I'm not sure most people are whisky drinkers that hit this site as there are a lot of UNREGISTERED and GUEST users. Why not just register. It's easy to do and cost nothing. Whisky is meant to be drunk. I do understand collecting as I am a collector myself, but there isn't a bottle that I have that I won't open. My son can attest to that as I opened my bottle of BLACK BOWMORE ( now selling at The Whisky Exchange for $4700.00 ) for my grandson's Christening. I refuse to sit around and wonder about the taste of an expression because it cost me money. The money is already spent; so why not enjoy with family and friends. A person has never enjoyed the true qualities of whisky until they have fully walked around the block. One can brag that they own a bottle of BLACK BOWMORE, but I can brag that not only have I owned a bottle, but that I have tasted it as well. The tasting experience not only enhanced my appreciation, but also added to my knowledge of the drink that much more.

I'm a total rookie when it comes to scotch although I have a close friend who smokes cigars with me that knows quite a bit. What is the story behind you having such an expensive bottle? Do you normally have such pricey stuff in your inventory? Hope you don't think I am snooping. I think I had a Bowmore once, cheaper Bowmore, of course, I remember it being SUPER smokey, at least that's how I would describe it. Does that seem to be an accurate description? I found it rather hard to get used to and I don't think I asked for a second shot. Myself, I like rye whisky better, and of course it is much cheaper than the premium scotch brands I would think.

[bkblankenship]

Originally Posted by Mike Ballash

I'm a total rookie when it comes to scotch although I have a close friend who smokes cigars with me that knows quite a bit. What is the story behind you having such an expensive bottle? Do you normally have such pricey stuff in your inventory? Hope you don't think I am snooping. I think I had a Bowmore once, cheaper Bowmore, of course, I remember it being SUPER smokey, at least that's how I would describe it. Does that seem to be an accurate description? I found it rather hard to get used to and I don't think I asked for a second shot. Myself, I like rye whisky better, and of course it is much cheaper than the premium scotch brands I would think.

Hi Mike,

Fair question. I didn't pay the current price for the BLACK BOWMORE but was able to pick it up for a few hundred $'s when it was first released. At the time, BOWMORE released three versions of the 1964 BLACK BOWMORE with the first release bottled in 1993 ( 29-Year-Old ), followed by 1994 and 1995 bottlings which were 30 & 31 Years Old, respectively. Some people have a gift of looking through a crystal ball and predicting the future. Whoever that person was, predicted correctly that the BLACK BOWMORE bottlings would be worth a lot of money. When I opened mine, it was selling for $4000.00 per bottle. I vowed from the beginning that I would always be willing to open and experience any bottle I purchased, and that has held true to this day. A person cannot gain knowledge nor an appreciation if they don't experience their interest to the fullest. I have been fortunate to visit Scotland on many, many occasions and therefore was able to purchase a lot of rare bottlings at reasonable prices as I pursued my interest relentlessly. And I might add, I have a VERY COOL WIFE. That made a difference. I currently have ~700 open bottles in a library that have been transferred to prescription sterile flint bottles. This did not happen overnight, but has taken about 20 years to get to this point. I haven't always transferred into flint bottles. There are so many that I wish I had saved to taste again down the road. But, so be it.

I am a peat freak. I love heavily peated whiskies. If you would like to learn more about peated whiskies, especially the Islay malts, read my piece on this website in QUEST FOR SMOKE. To read more about my travels, visit my website SCOTCHWHISKYGLASS.COM and click on the ABOUT US page. I am located in Richmond, VA. If you're willing, let me know where you reside.

[Mike B]

Man, that is quite a story ... never even heard of flint bottles. I must do a google on that. We live just outside of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and are awaiting winter which we know is coming. Great place to warm up in mid-January with a glass of single malt. Like I said, I am a novice whisky drinker but enjoy forums like this, finding out what other people enjoy and why they enjoy it is almost a hobby.