What are the most prized bottles you own?

I would have to divide the category into those I would drink and those I would not, at least without good reason.

I have a few bottles gifted to me by someone who has now passed away. I have only ever opened one bottle, a Macallan 25 bottled in the 1990s, partly because I promised some folks and partly because he gave me 2 of them. All the others are singles and most have specific stories attached. Some are pretty rare, and some are less valuable, but they all have sentimental value to me.

In terms of those I have collected myself and am prepared to drink, I would list the following:

1. Octomore 4.1 because it's the most expensive bottle I've ever bought.

2. A'Bunadh batch 42 for its connection to the Douglas Adams series.

3. A'Bunadh batch 33 - first batch tasted, enjoyed, and bought a spare. Saving it for a special day.

4. Bruichladdich Peat - an early successful purchase. 1 or 2 drams left, and a spare bottle to treasure.

5. Forty Creek John's Private Cask #1 - because I'm looking forward to the smile on PJ's face when he eventually takes possession if it.

As you can see rarity and price are not really a factor. Mostly it's the quality of the contents and the quality of the personal story.

When I started collecting malts I used to scoff at people who would buy a particular malt and then insist on just displaying it. For me whisky was for drinking - nothing else. If it was really expensive then maybe drinking it just by your self but for drinking nonetheless.

As I began to expand my collection I realized there were a few hard to procure expressions which I was reluctant to open and guzzle down lest another was not available. And there were others for which I had an illogical infatuation and I was scared should I try them and if they did not live up to my lofty standards I would be so disappointed.

And so these expressions started sitting pretty on in my bar and became my 'unopenables'. The following, in no particular order, are :

Yamazaki 25, Ardbeg 1978, Ardbeg Very Young, Still Young, Almost There, Renaissance, Laphroaig 27 1981, Macallan First Cask 1975, Glenlochy 1980, Banff 1971, Brora 30 2010, William Larue Weller First Fill 2005, Amrut Special Release Cask Strength 2006, Braeval Braes of Glenlivet 1975 and Glen Grant 1969.

That's quite a few now that I think about it!

@rigmorole First off my friend when I was at the distillery in May they said that older stock for them wasn't an issue at all, unlike Macallan, Highland Park, etc etc etc. due to the fact that unlike most distilleries that cut back production during whisky bust periods, they keep the supply pretty constant. However I've got a few friends at the distillery and I can ask them if anything has changed since I last talked to them. That being said the Glenfarclas 40 is BRILLIANT!

Most prized bottles well I've got a few, but mainly from silent or dead distilleries and they were given as gifts or picked up over special occasions. For me it's more about who's giving it to me or where I am rather then the price of the bottle.

• A 30 yr old Port Ellen from 1979, cask strength that my wife bought for my birthday last year, going so far as to hunt down one that the Malt Maniacs ranked 90+ and specifically one distilled in June (my birth month)

• A 21 yr old Rosebank, cask strength (Diageo annual releases) that my brother bought for my birthday last year as a surprise.

• A 35 yr old Brora (Diageo Annual Release) that I purchased in Scotland.

• A 35 yr old Talisker (Diageo Annual Release) that I picked up from the distillery while in Scotland and Mark Lochhead signed for me.

• A 13 yr old Kuraizawa cask strength that I picked up from the Auld Alliance in Singapore after my friend the manager picked it out for me.

• Glenfarclas 1981 Family Cask release 7 that I tried and purchased at the distillery while over there in May.

• Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix because it's the whisky that seduced my wife into enjoying whisky and continue my crazy obsession with this awesome drink.

All of these whiskies will one day be open, but they're all in what I call the special occasion category. Those are also only the full bottles. I've got 30ml samples of all of the whiskies that my wife and I tried while visiting Glenglassaugh in May including whiskies from the 1960's which will eventually be drunk on a special night, but no time soon.

nothing super special in my collection, but ive got a few bottles of discontinued stuff. all have been opened, though.

chivas century of malts (i also have a number of minis of this), longmorn 15, glenkinchie 10.

ive also got a number (almost 100) of minis of knockando distilled in 1975, bottled 1989. got a killer price on em, so i bought everything they had.

Like others have said, my most prized, unopened bottles are more tied to special memories than value or cost.

Ben Nevis 25 year (14 years in Bourbon casks, then 11 years in Sherry) Dstl'd 12/20/84, trnsfr'd 10/14/98, Btl'd 05/10. Purchased the bottle after being offered a sample by Andy at Loch Fyne Whiskies in Inverary Scotland in September 2010.

On that same trip, while visiting Glenmorangie, picked up a bottle of 15 year Sauternes finish that was available only at the distillery. A couple of months later in Seattle, attended a dinner with Dr. Bill Lumsden. He signed the bottle for my wife and I.

Bruichladdich Golder Still that I picked up for half price when our state was transitioning from state run liquor stores to private.

Bruichladdich Black Art Edition 2.2 - I had a dram of 2.2 at a bar last year and it blew me away. By far the most complex dram that I have ever nosed or tasted.

Right now? Highland Park 25, which I plan on opening over Christmas / New Years; and Miyagikyo 15, which has been earmarked for a Nikka Vertical on or around my birthday.

I have a few bottles that I have set aside for particular occasions years down the line. St. Magdalene 23, Pappy 23, Dalmore 21 and Glenfarclas 25. It's always nice to have something to look forward to, especially a nice dram of whisky.

I do have a question for those that have bottles that are never 'intended' to be opened up. What is to become of them? Do some hold on for an increase in monetary value to sell at a later time or is just sentiment that keeps you from wanting to open it? I know that if not for early collectors many wonderful old bottles would not be available today so I understand the importance of collecting but the whisky will stay while we pass on so wouldn't you want to reap the reward of your hard efforts before it's too late?

Nothing super rare but I've retained a bottle or two of my discontinued favourites.

Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist Laphroaig 15 Bowmore 16yo Bordeaux Cask

Also have my sentimental bottle of Bowmore 25 which I am slowly drinking in memory of my Dad, (see review).

Lochside 1965 46yo (Adelphi) Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1981 Rel V BenRiach 1978 Virgin American Oak Rosebank 19 (OMC) Ardbeg Ardbog Ardbeg Alligator Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist

All but one of my bottles are open, Got an older Johnny Walker Gold Label: "the centenary Blend" in a special icebox edition from 2007 that for some reason has never been opened, might be worth something some day as the replaced the Centenary with the Reserve and because it's a special edition.

The weirdest bottle is an unfinished bottle of Red label from the late 70's- early 80's that was part of my fathers secret stock when he was still a teenager. I found it while cleaning up my grandparents house.

Rarity is not the yardstick by which I measure prized bottles. Great whisky can be enjoyed by anyone; good whisky shared with friends becomes legend. The memories and events that are associated with particular expressions of whisky determine the prized bottles in my cabinet. There are many milestones and accomplishments that have been celebrated with some great, and some not so great, whisky; here are a some that quickly come to mind

Glenfarclas Family Casks 1992 and 1995 - which I will give to my oldest children when they graduate. Glenfarclas 15 yr-old 1998 for the youngest upon graduation.

A bottle of Chivas Regal given to me in 1988 by Gustavo, the manager at a fine resort in Puerto Vallarta, for twice being MC at the weekly pig roast and tequila shooter contest (and beating the cocky Argentines).

Wiser's Red Letter, CR Ltd Ed 1975, John's Private Cask, and Old Forester all remind me of a wonderful day spent with @Victor, @Dramlette, @cpstcroix and @talexander where we shared opinions, samples, and friendship.

Talisker reminds me of @thecyclingyogi for the same reasons and the wonderful sample of T18 that he so generously provided to me, amongst others.

FC Heart of Gold is prized for the memories it triggers of the Whisky Weekend at Grimsby - meeting connosr members and enjoying incredible food and endless expressions of great whisky with fantastic people, many of whom traveled great distances to be there.

Macallan Cask Strength, already prized in my cabinet, and soon to be discontinued, is now associated with the epic trade that @Nozinan and I will make some day - the exchange of two rare and enjoyable expressions of whisky - originating from different continents.

Jameson Gold Reserve, for the cool exchange with @StevieC.

Just ordered Amrut 100. I never heard of it until today. I saw it at a unknown Dutch webshop and after some reading I had to have it. Its the most expensive bottle I bought myself but it just seemed worth it... €76,- for one liter of peated 57% Amrut with an Indian white oak finish is not that bad I decided. Is this the beginning of the end? ;)

@PeatyZealot You have now crossed the threshold! Once you have paid a higher price than you are used to it then becomes the new norm. I lost my price virginity on Lagavulin 16. It was $141.00 here including tax. Made HP 18 @171.00 a normal purchase. All others below those are now considered a "bargain"

@Jonesz HaHa - Yep I know that trap too. It's a dangerous line. And yes Lagavulin 16 was the one that did me in initially. Then I think it was Uigeadail, Bowmore 15 Darkest and the spiral went out of control.

Honestly, I think I'd be wealthy and living in a mansion if I didn't like whisky.

@Jonesz I'm in your category my friend! Once you spend "x" amount on a bottle, it becomes so much easier to spend that again and consider everything cheaper a bargain!

I'd have to say my most prized whiskys tend to be ones that are no longer in production; Longmorn 15, Glen Scotia 14 and Laphroaig 15. They will all end up drunk eventually though, whisky is for drinking afterall.

In order - Scapa 16 for its link with me moving into my first home this month. Tomintoul 21 for the level of anticipation I feel for the day its opened. Last but not least Hibiki 17 as I have never tried Japanese whisky before.

@Nemesis101 That's why they should supply 35cl bottles for every expression. That way we could get to taste different whiskies for less money! I'm personally fascinated from trying different whiskies when I can find them. Mind you I do that with food too.

there are 3 big boys in my cabinet. one is open, my mortlach 1991, and 2 which will be closed for a while, Glenfarcals 1991 family cask (might open for graduation at the end of next year) and Macallan Estate Reserve.

Always good to have some potential celebration bottles

I have only one that I consider a prized bottle. It is a Glen Flagler 1973. All the rest, at some point, will be opened.

My list goes like this: Black Bull 40 year old Karuizawa 28 year old "Noh series" Yoichi & Miyagikyo Cask strength 12 year old (70th anniversary edition) Glenfarclas 105 20 years old Elmer t Lee Single barrel ( 2 spares) Tobermory 15 year old Ardbegs: Corryvreckan and Uigeadail (2009&2010) Galileo Compass box spice tree (spare) Bruichladdich Infinity (3.1) Laphroaig 20 years double-matured Port Charlotte & Laddie 10

Some will be opened some might wait a while, a very select few might stay a very long time. I'm more into tasting (like most here) but i would be lying if i would'nt admit putting pride&time in my collection.

Almost forgot ma sprinbanks :P : Hazelburn 12, Longrow Barolo wine finish and the rundlets&kilderkins series: Springbank and Longrow (waiting for Hazelburn). Finally also an A'bunadh batch 38, because it's a spare i kept from my (tied) best a'bunadh bottling to date, i am also keeping a spare of 105 around, it's from 2012 ( a good year, and thus a spare)

Port Ellen Annual releases 3rd,4th,7th,8th,9th,10th,11th Octomore 01.1 Bowmore Devils Cask Balvenie Craftsmans Reserve No 1 Glenfiddich Foundation Reserve Karuizawa Glen Scotia 1974 - 30yr