Whisky Forum - hello guys, need advice please...

DrinkBro · New Member Joined: 23 Nov 2015 Posts: 3

hi, I found an almost full bottle of whisky from 1952 in the belongings of a family member who sadly passed away, I would like to experience it properly as it is a piece of my family history, but I do not drink whisky and have no idea how to best taste it, what do you guys suggest? I know it's going to taste like paint stripper to me anyway but I want to experience it how it would have been drunk back then, it's more than double as old as I am so it feels like stepping back in time to me, I ruled out mixing it with coke, I'm no spirit drinker but I gather that is a big no no! what about ice? do I just sip it or take a big glug? I plan to listen to her favourite classical music number while I drink it but apart from that I don't know, I didn't even know she drank until I found it so I never got to see how she enjoyed it. thanks guys for any pointers

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 2966

Just sip it and saviour it DrinkBro. You never know you may like it. What does it say on the label? Does the whisky have a name? Is it a single malt or blended whisky? If you have some more detail we may be able to tell you what to expect.

If it is a harsh blended whisky it may taste quite rough to you if you are not used to drinking whisky straight, a single malt should me smoother and possibly a little more palatable. Just sip it a little at a time and hold it in your mouth mix it with your saliva and slowly swallow a little at a time and you should be able to experience the full flavour of it and reduce any burn in the throat you may get by throwing it back.

I hope you enjoy it.

Cheer, Jim

DrinkBro · New Member Joined: 23 Nov 2015 Posts: 3

hi James thanks for your reply, I have included a photo I took of it hopefully it is visible

[img] http://s11.postimg.org/jxbxehzhv/haig.jpg [/img]

not much info compared to a modern spirit bottle, but it still has the price sticker on the lid, Â£1.97! you don't get much for that nowadays

opelfruit · Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 4:34 am Post subject:

It's a blend and not a single malt and worse still it's also missing about a third of the contents and closed with a screw cap.

How long has it been open do you think?

To put it in context; if I found a bottle of modern whisky of a similar quality level with a similar amount missing out of the bottle and it'd be open for longer than 2 years, then I wouldn't drink it.

It's not going to be "bad" or "gone off", it's spirit, but it will oxidise and there is a fair amount of head space in the bottle. Screw cap seals aren't great either so there will have been a lot of air getting in there.

It wont taste very good I'm afraid.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

DrinkBro · New Member Joined: 23 Nov 2015 Posts: 3

hi, I'm really not sure how long it's been open, when I found it the bottle was covered in thick dust, except for the middle of the cap where it opens, and it was plonked on the side with some almost empty modern bottles, so I assumed it had been sat somewhere and opened recently

dramblersanonymous · Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 4:25 pm Post subject:

I'm sure many in this forum will find this a little disagreeable, however, about 10 years ago I was doing a bit of work with Auchentoshan and found myself meeting with the outgoing (retiring) master distiller and the new (considerably younger!) master distiller who was taking his position. We did a tasting later that week and the new guy (his name completely evades me) said that he was sat in the office, being handed the keys to the distillery (so to speak) when the retiring chap pulled out a very old, very rare bottle of Auchentoshan. He then poured a couple of large drams, filled the glasses with ice and added some ginger ale. Obviously the new guy was pretty shocked, but the lesson was learnt - he wanted to put an end to the moany old whisky drinkers and get people to drink it how they enjoy it.

So - back to the point - if it doesn't taste very good (whether palate or whisky), throw in some ice or a mixer and enjoy it as best you can!

Kray · Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 4:30 pm Post subject:

Haig Gold Label has always been an easy drinking blend, mild and smooth with a bit of spice, hence its popularity for many years. Try a little straight if it isn't for you try a bit of ice or a mixer such as lemonade or ginger ale. I am sure you will figure out the way you best enjoy it.

opelfruit · Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:43 pm Post subject:

TheWM · Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 8:14 pm Post subject:

dramblersanonymous · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:23 am Post subject:

Ha ha! Brilliant