Posted on 11/19/2024 8:27:00 AM PST by ChicagoConservative27
The practice of liquor distillation has existed for thousands of years, and as for the art of collecting these spirits? Some say that can be traced as far back as the 1400s. While we may not be able to enjoy a 600-year-old bottle, many spirits producers are leaning into the premium and ultra-premium trend by releasing their oldest and most impressive spirits to date. Brands like Scotland’s The Glenlivet and France’s Delamain both celebrated 200-year anniversaries with rare, small-production artisanal bottles, with hefty price tags to match. The Glenlivet 55-Year Old, the first in The Eternal Collection and the oldest expression ever for the brand, is priced at $55,000. Delamain’s prestige Grande Champagne cognac, L’Oiseau Rare or “Rare Bird,” launched this past June, and comes in a gold and gem-encrusted dame-jeanne. The blend comes from several of the vintages that the former cellarmaster put aside as “rare birds” over the course of his career, and is expected to bring in a similar figure at auction this December.
(Excerpt) Read more at observer.com ...
The Dalmore Luminary No. 2 16-Year-Old The Collectible (2024 Edition) Scotch Single Malt
The Macallan 30-Year Double Cask Scotch
Longmorn 22 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Royal Salute 21 Year Old The Miami Polo Edition Blended Scotch Whisky
Rosebank 32 Year Legacy Release No. 3
Nikka Whisky Nine Decades 90th Anniversary Edition
The Glenlivet 25 Year Single Malt
Bushmills Rare Casks 31 Year-Old American Oak Cask No. 04
Lagavulin Special Release 2024 Fireside Tales 12-Year Scotch Whisky
Bhakta Armagnac Cask Finish Bourbon
Widow Jane The Vaults 15 Year Bourbon
The Macklowe Black Edition 12-Year-Old Single Cask
I’m happily shocked not to see Yamazaki on there...maybe that means I’ll be able to afford it again...
Saving for later
And no Blanton’s.
No Balvenie 21 year old? Wow.
And I’ve never understood why people buy astronomical numbers of astronomically priced alcohol to NOT drink them...
As far as not drinking them, I can kind of understand the secondary market and trying to make a few bucks. When it comes to high end liquor, however, there just doesn't seem to be enough meat on the bone to make that concept really worthwhile. That being said, there is a certain amount of pleasure one might get from having a super-premium bottle on the shelf just to show.
As far as purchasing super high end booze for drinking, I was definitely a naysayer until a few months ago. Having tried some top tier bourbons, scotches and cognacs I just could never justify spending 2 or 3 grand for a bottle that was better than a $100 bottle but not 20-30x better. Then someone handed me a glass of Macallen 25 Gran Reserva. Kind of blew up the whole "nothing is worth that much" paradigm. If money is no object then there IS stuff out there that is next level special.
Probably the same as artwork is used to launder money.
The Macallen 25, you say? Please indulge my need to experience something I will never have (like a date with the Swedish swim team ... all at once). Describe the experience, T (I’m referring to the scotch). Cheers!
Aged in sherry casks and, after 25 years, the fruit comes through like a crisp autumn afternoon. The grain flavors are embraced by hints of apple, cherry and honey, not overpowered by them. On the tongue, the flavor continues to evolve into a deep rancio that you NEVER taste in scotch. I can’t even begin to explain the level of satisfaction in this experience. It’s like experiencing the perfect sunset from a mountain top you just climbed.
And no Blanton’s.
Shhhh....more for us.....
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some incredible (and pricey) scotch and it is DEFINITELY in a different class of, to quote Sherman T. Potter, “Not enough O’s in smoooooooooooth”. But if I buy a $400 bottle of whiskey, I’m damn well gonna enjoy it!
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