whisky review 44 - Advice on drinking old whiskies

[Webofscience]

Really useful! I just bought my first old whisky: 1982 Clynelish (mmmmm). I left it 30 mins in the glass (improved), but found after an hour, it was considerably better. One quick question: when leaving it for that length of time, should I put the glass cover on the glass or leave it off? Surely it would breathe better with it off?

[ralfystuff]

@Webofscience

I recommend a lid on top as this holds in the developing flavours, you can always remove the lid after 15 minutes to see how things go.

Glad to hear that your having a well arranged malt-moment.

[Webofscience]

@ralfystuff Cheers Ralfy! I'll give it a go next time I drink it...

[adamg709]

Nice work Ralfy - good to see an enthusiast sharing knowledge about a subject they genuinely enjoy.

[asadada89]

Very stupid idea of putting lighter into the bottle. Oxygen burns and soot is formed inside the bottle, which spoil the taste of whiskey! well, that I tested it first on a very small amount of worthless whiskey ...

[dfok5]

love your vids, but how long will an bottle of glenmorangie 10 year last once it is opened

[ralfystuff]

@dfok5

in cool,dark cupboards, and at least half full, several years if your lucky !

[NintyFan56]

Cool Im gonna have to get that air pump cause my captain morgan jug has less than half of its rum in the bottle. Plus I can allways used smaller bottles. Great vid

[CasanovaKeith]

an alternative to removing the air inside the bottle is to remove the space for it. This is achieved by filling up the space inside the bottle with something clean, such as marbles. The only downside is that, if your friends see you pull out a bottle full of marbles, they may come to the conclusion that you've lost yours!

[herrbrahms]

Ralfy, I take issue with your suggestion to pull a vacuum on a bottle of whisky. Alcohol and water are both volatile liquids, and removing atmospheric pressure from the bottle will encourage you to lose both, but alcohol will preferentially be lost....just as though it were the angel's share. If you truly wish to control the oxidation of your whisky without the simple smaller bottle fix, you'll need to replace the oxygen with inert gas. CO2 imparts fizziness; nitrogen would be better.

[ralfystuff]

@herrbrahms

... nitrogen sealers are hard to get for many, whilst the vacuum is easily available and the angel's share minimal.

Of course, preferably, we finish up the Whisky before it's too long in the bottle.

[krabby4000]

ralf im afraid to open my whiskies as i don't drink a whole lot but im afraid my whiskies or other spirits will "go off" if i open a bottle. i know it wouldn't happen for a while but im worried how long would it take before its not tasting like it should. any advice ralf would be appreciated!

[ralfystuff]

@krabby4000

As regards whisky shelf-life, firstly I usually have about 12 bottles open at one time and secondly, the length of time they will keep intact is all down to cool storage out of direct sunlight and recognising that young, high-alcohol (46 -60% volume) stronger flavoured spirits will keep longer (12 - 16 months) compared to older lower-strength (40 - 43%volume) delicate spirits which my start to fade after only 4 months so decant into smaller bottles with less air gaps.

[Temperdgrump]

@ralfystuff Good to know I was about to ask this question myself since I have many bottles opened. Think I'll go simple and use a lighter. Thanks again ralfy.

[ralfystuff]

@Temperdgrump

if using a lighter, be very careful not to contaminate the whisky with unburnt lighter fuel.

[puneet2185]

Hi Ralfy I like to know how much water should i put in my whiskey eg Teachers or black and white. In NEW DELHI weather is hot 8 months of the year.We tend to put lots of ice and water.

[ralfystuff]

... to achieve the flavour advantage, try your whisky neat along with a glass of chilled water,  ... not mixed but side by side.

... good luck !

[puneet2185]

Hi Ralfy Please rate the following scotches. Teachers,Vat69, Black and White, Old smuggler, 100PIPER.

[ralfystuff]

Teachers 88

Vat69 78

B&W 85

Old S (never tried)

100Piper 75

[puneet2185]

@ralfystuff Thanks a lot Ralfy. I owe you a bottle of scotch.

[ihateus5]

Would you recommend that "Braes of Glenlivet" Bottling? it's about 110 €

[ralfystuff]

... also known as Braeval, this is the highest altitude Distillery in Speyside, ... distinctive grassy fresh-fruit style, gains much with age, often good to brilliant, occasionaly O.K., rarely poor !

[LordGeorgeRodney]

I took your advice went into a posh bar on my own with my head clear & had a wee dram of Aberfeldy 21 year old with a glass of water on the side. The smoothness of the stuff was worth the purchase alone & it was the best half hour in a pub or bar I have ever spent & that includes the money as well!

[ralfystuff]

... excellent stuff !

[Lamanaz]

Ralfy, soon I'll be 30 yo...what best day of my birthday to try a 30yo whisky? In my little town I saw in a shop a Glenfarclas 30yo (not too much expensive for a such old botlle) Did you try it? Or can you suggest me another 30yo? Thanks for your kindness!

[ralfystuff]

Glenfarclas 30 is a fine at the price.

[ralfystuff]

... also consider Ancnoc 30 and Old Pulteney 30.

[Lamanaz]

Real Time Answer! Now I'm Looking for these two on internet, in my town I can just find Ancnoc 1993 vintage (which I have to try too soon or later)

Thanks Malt master

[eldavinci]

There's another way of preserving your whiskies. By spraying gasses in it that are heavier than oxigen like for instance nitrogen, argon or CO2. So there's no air that come near to the content of the bottle. Private reserve is a company that makes cans with a combination of those in it! You can check out their website if you want.

[ralfystuff]

... a good option.

Costs a bit for the gas canisters, but the wine specialists seem to think it works well.

[leestephenj]

Beautiful Ralfy. So so true.

[PK441041]

I´m very impressed!!

[Motherfella]

Ralfy, you've done it again. Greetings from the Isle of Man.

[butephoto]

Another classic tutorial there, Ralfy. Well done!

[BA0084]

your most poignant video yet..

[maninthisphatsuit]

Great insight into old whiskies I've only been a blended man for about a year, but I am looking to get into single malts just have trouble making my mind up. What single malt do you recommend for my green pallet and?. Thanx for the vids Ralfy!

[niksamatad]

By green pallet do you mean that you like fruity whisky? If so then i can recommend Blair Athol 12 y.o. That was the last one i bought and it was very fruity