“Harris always knows a place around the corner where you can get something wonderful to drink. I think that if Harris had met you in paradise (let’s assume for a moment such a possibility), he would have greeted you with words:
– So glad you’ve come, old fellow! I’ve found a nice place round the corner here, where you can get some really first-class nectar.”
It was the quote from the wonderful book by Jerome K. Jerome, which I recently reread, “Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the dog)”, that served as the starting point to write this article. Indeed, what would I advise a gentleman who wants to go beyond the assortment of a nearby supermarket, but is not as sophisticated in this matter as Harris?
First of all, you should not set yourself the task of becoming a recognized expert in this noble drink world by taking an accelerated course and pouring more than a dozen bottles into yourself in a limited period. You will not get closer to the desired result, but your chances of irrevocably undermining of your health and gaining of a completely undesirable reputation, on the contrary, will increase greatly. And what is more, by adding work to MDs, you will deprive the earnings of a caviste (or sommelier, if this name is more preferable for you) – a person who has devoted his whole life to this risky, but so respected profession and whose advice I prefer to listen carefully.
After all, we are not just talking about a divine drink filled with a unique bouquet wealth and an endless palette of flavors, we are also talking about an investment that can make you a real rich man.
Look, a bottle of 25-year-old Macallan, endowed with all the above qualities, was sold for $900 back in 2013. Today you will not find it cheaper than for $2,000. Not convincing yet?
Then what would you say to this… According to the Knight Frank report for 2020 (these gentlemen definitely know a lot about luxury), the growth in the cost of rare editions of whiskey surpassed all other luxury categories, including vintage wine, and amounted to 546% over the past decade. And this is already a reason for the envy of Warren Buffett himself – one of the largest and most famous investors in the world.
But what are all these figures worth if we have deprived ourselves of the pleasure of missing a sip or two of such a wonderful drink? After all, all this life-giving nectar is intended for exquisite enjoyment! And, of course, at such moments it becomes increasingly difficult to decide whether to leisurely sip the latest limited edition of the noble potion or wait ten years to shame Warren Buffett. My answer is to do both.
For this purpose I have selected for you a magnificent ten, which is a whiskey of the highest quality, worthy of becoming the beginning of your future collection and an excellent occasion for a completely harmless men’s party. Moreover, I quite intentionally included in this list not only well-known and revered names from the Old World, but also less popular in our region, but certainly worthy of your attention varieties from the New World, including bourbon.
At the end of a brief description of each nominee, I will offer my own verdict – “to drink or not to drink.” But, assuming the exclusivity of your circumstances (it is quite possible that at this very moment you just need to get your throat wet) and taking into account your legal age, I will respect your independent decision with all due respect, even if it seems to me somewhat spontaneous.
1. Amrut Fusion Indian Single Malt (about $70)
This drink with an elegant and, I would even say, subtle taste debuted in 2009 and has since remained the gold standard among Indian single malt whiskies. As you guessed, it got its name due to the combination of Indian malt with malt grown on the peat expanses of Scotland. The result is a tart aromatic drink, with obvious notes of smoke that you will feel after each sip.
My verdict: invite your friends in advance or they will come as soon as you open the bottle.
2. Town Branch Cask Strength Single Malt (about $100)
Although this bourbon is made in Lexington (Kentucky), its base is delivered directly from Scotland. And what is already ready to pour a life-giving stream into our glass carries a taste combination of decadent notes of dark chocolate and dates. Since only 3,000 bottles have been bottled, the cost of this whiskey is likely to only grow.
My verdict: keep it. At least, until you decide it is possible to win the favor of the young lady you like only by treating her to chocolate.
3. Waterford Single Farm Origin: Rathclogh Edition 1.1 Irish Whiskey (about $100)
Mark Ranier himself had a hand in the birth of this whiskey – the man who gave a second life to the Bruichladdich whiskey that almost left us. His efforts and talent led to the creation of the brightest single malt drink with a barley base. Moreover, all the grain for it was grown and harvested on a single farm. It is much more difficult to describe the taste sensations after tasting this nectar than the emotions experienced – the real joy of drinking! But the first issues of any series are usually valued much more expensive than the subsequent ones, especially when the series is gaining popularity. And in our situation, this is exactly the case.
My verdict: keep it till better days.
4. Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Year Old (around $130)
This single malt whiskey from Denver is not shy and even focuses on its age, playing with each complex shades of sandalwood and caramel after each.
It will most likely not be possible to find it on sale, since the initial release consisted of only 500 bottles available in New York, California and Colorado. But in the near future, manufacturers plan to increase production and make it permanent. So don’t be surprised if it catches your eyes soon.
My verdict: if you did not have time to get a bottle from the first batch, then there is nothing to regret. But in the future, you get rid of any doubts: just open and enjoy.
5. The Macallan Double Cash 18 Years Old (around $330)
Despite its availability, this item, to my taste, is simply an ideal price-quality ratio and has only one significant drawback – the difficulty in observing the measure.
Its unique taste and aristocratic aging are born in American and European oak barrels, each of which was previously seasoned with sherry. In moments of deep thought and sipping this divine drink at the same time, you will be accompanied by light notes of ginger and chestnut.
My verdict: always keep it uncorked, as it is a great alternative to any other drinks, including five o’clock tea.
6. Old Forester 150th Anniversary (around $550)
Not everyone can celebrate their own sesquicentennial anniversary, but Old Forester can be quite proud of it. On this occasion, the famous distillery presented three separate batches of limited-edition bourbon at once.
Despite the fact that the releases are limited and no additional bottling is expected, for some reason the company did not specify the age of the drink, which significantly reduces the investment potential. Fortunately, this completely frees our hands at the moment of making a decision – to open or to keep…
My verdict: the pleasure of pouring a drink into a glass will more than exceed the possible benefits of storing it in a bank safe deposit box.
7. Balblair 25 Years Old (around $600)
The Highland distillery has remained in the shadow of its more successful competitors for too long. But the recent rebranding has changed everything. Now, taking into account the age characteristics, vintage collections are bottled in stylish, and I would even say elegant bottles.
The item I selected and presented to your attention is the most mature in the whiskey line, aged for a quarter of a century in bourbon barrels, and then for several more months in Spanish oak barrels.
Many of its analogues of comparable age and quality will cost you twice as much, which, of course, indicates the underestimation of this noble drink and its collectible appeal.
My verdict: buy it and forget about it for a few years. The price will pleasantly surprise you over time.
8. Michter’s 25-Year (around $1,000)
As for collector’s releases, few distilleries of the New World can claim the status of Michter’s. Usually, these releases increase in price five times or thereabouts from the moment of the start of sales. This 25-year-old good looker is a vivid example of this.
Over the past three years, after being presented to the general public, its aristocratic taste, which is a velvety melange of burnt sugar and winter spices, has remained unchanged, but the price has soared almost seven times. So, if your friend accidentally has one of the 348 bottles of this spill and he does not really value it, so much that he is ready to give it, then do not refuse the gift in any case.
My verdict: thank your friend again and hide the bottle away from prying eyes, so that one of your friends does not ask for the same favor.
9. O.F.C. 1995 Vintage (around $2,500)
The contents of this bottle were poured into barrels in Kentucky back in 1995, during the first presidential term of Bill Clinton. Since then, American presidents have changed more than once, but the taste of this excellent bourbon has remained unchanged and absolutely flawless: an inimitable combination of shades of tobacco, leather and cherry seeds with a slight aftertaste of smoke at the very end of the moment of enjoyment. In a word, the taste qualities of this noble drink are as exorbitant as the price for it. That is why, if you are ready to pay $2,500 for the pleasure, then it makes no sense to delay it.
My verdict: invite your friends, turn on the American anthem and raise your glasses.
10. The Last Drop 1968 Glenrothes Single Malt (around $6,000)
Perhaps this is exactly what every gentleman hopes to meet in his life. Perfectly prepared (and this is the most modest epithet) Scottish malt with a strength of 51.3%, bottled in century-old barrels and aged in them for more than half a century. Its divine taste can only be compared with the dizzying beauty of the spring flowering of the hilly plains of Scotland. Add to this the taste of marzipan at the very tip of the tongue with a slight hint of toasted coconut around the edge. And this is the least that this elixir of life is ready to surprise you, not counting the price.
Plus, The Last Drop is sympathetic to gentlemen who do not have the opportunity to just take and lay out $6,000 for a full-fledged bottle. For this occasion, every expensive and ultra-expensive release has a more affordable miniature version of 50 ml. So, if you still set yourself a goal to join the privileged circle, it is quite achievable.
My verdict: it is up to you and your nervous system to drink or keep such a precious bottle. With the miniature version, everything is easier. For example, I just drank mine.