wine or single malt that will age well....
Discussion
for 18 years to be precise.
Im looking at getting one of the above for a christening gift and whilst I know the stuff that has currently aged 18/21 years I want one that I can get now and leave to age so that the young one now can enjoy it on his 18th birthday or keep it.
Better than a soft fluffy toy that everyone else is getting.
So can any of the merchants or malt gurus out there assist me in this purchase.
I need to get it this week or get it delivered to their home after this weekend.
Im in London btw so can have a look at a few places round here if anyone can recommend anywhere that is not like threshers/oddbins.
Im looking at getting one of the above for a christening gift and whilst I know the stuff that has currently aged 18/21 years I want one that I can get now and leave to age so that the young one now can enjoy it on his 18th birthday or keep it.
Better than a soft fluffy toy that everyone else is getting.
So can any of the merchants or malt gurus out there assist me in this purchase.
I need to get it this week or get it delivered to their home after this weekend.
Im in London btw so can have a look at a few places round here if anyone can recommend anywhere that is not like threshers/oddbins.
Tried a 1978 Chateau Musar red (year of my birth) from Lebanon a couple of years ago while visiting Beirut. That had aged VERY well.
I think you can track down specific years. I seem to remember him saying that they'd got examples of the majority of the vintages (except where they were shut down for minro things like wars). Google is your friend.
Don't know about Single Malts.
Dr Rick
I think you can track down specific years. I seem to remember him saying that they'd got examples of the majority of the vintages (except where they were shut down for minro things like wars). Google is your friend.
Don't know about Single Malts.
Dr Rick
Dr_Rick said:
Tried a 1978 Chateau Musar red (year of my birth) from Lebanon a couple of years ago while visiting Beirut. That had aged VERY well.
I think you can track down specific years. I seem to remember him saying that they'd got examples of the majority of the vintages (except where they were shut down for minro things like wars). Google is your friend.
Don't know about Single Malts.
Dr Rick
Thats not the issue, I need one now, that can age for another 18 years or has the potential to do so, not one from the past that has already aged for x number of years.I think you can track down specific years. I seem to remember him saying that they'd got examples of the majority of the vintages (except where they were shut down for minro things like wars). Google is your friend.
Don't know about Single Malts.
Dr Rick
I can find good vintages from birth year and they taste nice (1978 as it happens) but this one needs to age til 2027(ish). So like buying a single malt now, letting it age for 18 years and then its an 18yo single malt...
Floor Tom said:
Single malt doesn't work like that. It has to be in the cask for it to age, wont change once its in the bottle.
Fair enough, what single malt is there out now that will get better in 18 years or does it not work like that too?Looking for something that may appreciate in value too.
Dupont666 said:
Floor Tom said:
Single malt doesn't work like that. It has to be in the cask for it to age, wont change once its in the bottle.
Fair enough, what single malt is there out now that will get better in 18 years or does it not work like that too?Looking for something that may appreciate in value too.
You could, of course, purchase a cask from a distillery. They will then bottle it up for you in eighteen years time. This either results in a large supply of whisky at an excellent price - albeit paid eighteen years early - or in nothing at all as the cask has spoiled. I can't remember the odds...
Don said:
Dupont666 said:
Floor Tom said:
Single malt doesn't work like that. It has to be in the cask for it to age, wont change once its in the bottle.
Fair enough, what single malt is there out now that will get better in 18 years or does it not work like that too?Looking for something that may appreciate in value too.
You could, of course, purchase a cask from a distillery. They will then bottle it up for you in eighteen years time. This either results in a large supply of whisky at an excellent price - albeit paid eighteen years early - or in nothing at all as the cask has spoiled. I can't remember the odds...
So it maybe safer for the wine then?
Does anyone know of any good crops this year that are good and going to appreciate?
We did a bottle of port for my god son a couple of years ago, we went to a quality vintners and asked what is the best choice to mature at either 18 or 21.
We didnt end up with a bottle from two years ago as it wasnt a great year for ageing so we went for one from a year earlier which will age very well around 2025/2028 apparently. I'll see if 'er indoors can remember what it was.
We didnt end up with a bottle from two years ago as it wasnt a great year for ageing so we went for one from a year earlier which will age very well around 2025/2028 apparently. I'll see if 'er indoors can remember what it was.
Dupont666 said:
Dr_Rick said:
Tried a 1978 Chateau Musar red (year of my birth) from Lebanon a couple of years ago while visiting Beirut. That had aged VERY well.
I think you can track down specific years. I seem to remember him saying that they'd got examples of the majority of the vintages (except where they were shut down for minro things like wars). Google is your friend.
Don't know about Single Malts.
Dr Rick
Thats not the issue, I need one now, that can age for another 18 years or has the potential to do so, not one from the past that has already aged for x number of years.I think you can track down specific years. I seem to remember him saying that they'd got examples of the majority of the vintages (except where they were shut down for minro things like wars). Google is your friend.
Don't know about Single Malts.
Dr Rick
I can find good vintages from birth year and they taste nice (1978 as it happens) but this one needs to age til 2027(ish). So like buying a single malt now, letting it age for 18 years and then its an 18yo single malt...
Malt is already aged when you buy it, although if you want something for 18 yrs time then you simply buy a small barrel for your God son? Most distileries have this service, for one of the more well known brands, such as Highland Park then this can be exceedingly expensive.
Wine is easier, you can by a perfectly good Pomerol or Puillac which will very happily age 18 yrs, Port is the same.
With these, you really need to choose a good vintage as the actual birth year may be a shocker. For example, I'm 73, but 70 was one of the good vintages for port.
Vintage comes ahead of getting the actual birth year and this will be even more important if the kid grows up to actually enjoy wine.
As such, I would suggest going to a merchant and buying a case of good 2005 claret. 2005 was one of the great vintages and by 2027 anyone one who drinks wine will be blown away by a case of 2005 from one of the right houses.
Threshers won't be able to help but you would do well to start with someone like Berry Bros as they will know exactly what you want to do and be able to advise and arrange everything, inc storage for 18 yrs.
Port can be better as is is more of an 'occassion' drink that red wine, so would be likely to last longer once gifted and be treated with a bit more 'panasche' when consumed.
Tried to edit for spelling but gave up, apologies.
Edited by Horse_Apple on Monday 17th August 11:38
Is the birth year 2009?
If it is (and it would apply to 2008 and a few more, the problem is getting hold of it. You're looking at an IOU for now.
For Scotch, as stated, you are looking for a vintage (all regular single malts are blends of many vintages), and it needs to be in cask for 8 years, often much longer. It will not mature in the bottle. One option would be The Balvenie Single Cask (as recently tatsed on here), literally made from one barrel, unblended. It's:
a) very rare, and in the hundreds of pounds per bottle
b) not released for a good ten, possibly 18 years.
Vintage port is the traditional christening present, as 21 years is the baseline target before opening. VP is only released in years when it is considered good enough. It sits in barrel for two years, and is only released en primeur at that point (you will have to order a case). There may be options with the finest single quintas in a non-vintage year (e.g. Taylor's Vargellas)
There's a wealth of reds that can age that long - classic top growth clarets most obviously, but most serious countries have something. You would need extensive knowledge/research to identify producers likely deliver that ageing potential, and knowledge of the appropriate vintage (e.g. 2007 & 08 were poor vintages for Bordeaux). Best bet is a top notch merchant (bebs?). Perhaps a scouting visit now (vintage you need, price point), with a commitment to buy once loose bottles come on the market.
Same goes for some special wines (d'Yquem, some champagnes) which can age that long or longer.
So best bet is to go to a fine merchant on a quiet day - so they may be willing to spend some time on a non-sale. Explain the form, and realise that you probably won't be able to buy on the day. Get the guy's name (so if he's still there in a couple of years you will go back to him), and know when to go back. It's also possible, as it's a traditional christening gift, that they have some scheme.
If it is (and it would apply to 2008 and a few more, the problem is getting hold of it. You're looking at an IOU for now.
For Scotch, as stated, you are looking for a vintage (all regular single malts are blends of many vintages), and it needs to be in cask for 8 years, often much longer. It will not mature in the bottle. One option would be The Balvenie Single Cask (as recently tatsed on here), literally made from one barrel, unblended. It's:
a) very rare, and in the hundreds of pounds per bottle
b) not released for a good ten, possibly 18 years.
Vintage port is the traditional christening present, as 21 years is the baseline target before opening. VP is only released in years when it is considered good enough. It sits in barrel for two years, and is only released en primeur at that point (you will have to order a case). There may be options with the finest single quintas in a non-vintage year (e.g. Taylor's Vargellas)
There's a wealth of reds that can age that long - classic top growth clarets most obviously, but most serious countries have something. You would need extensive knowledge/research to identify producers likely deliver that ageing potential, and knowledge of the appropriate vintage (e.g. 2007 & 08 were poor vintages for Bordeaux). Best bet is a top notch merchant (bebs?). Perhaps a scouting visit now (vintage you need, price point), with a commitment to buy once loose bottles come on the market.
Same goes for some special wines (d'Yquem, some champagnes) which can age that long or longer.
So best bet is to go to a fine merchant on a quiet day - so they may be willing to spend some time on a non-sale. Explain the form, and realise that you probably won't be able to buy on the day. Get the guy's name (so if he's still there in a couple of years you will go back to him), and know when to go back. It's also possible, as it's a traditional christening gift, that they have some scheme.
Dupont666 said:
Dr_Rick said:
Tried a 1978 Chateau Musar red (year of my birth) from Lebanon a couple of years ago while visiting Beirut. That had aged VERY well.
I think you can track down specific years. I seem to remember him saying that they'd got examples of the majority of the vintages (except where they were shut down for minro things like wars). Google is your friend.
Don't know about Single Malts.
Dr Rick
Thats not the issue, I need one now, that can age for another 18 years or has the potential to do so, not one from the past that has already aged for x number of years.I think you can track down specific years. I seem to remember him saying that they'd got examples of the majority of the vintages (except where they were shut down for minro things like wars). Google is your friend.
Don't know about Single Malts.
Dr Rick
I can find good vintages from birth year and they taste nice (1978 as it happens) but this one needs to age til 2027(ish). So like buying a single malt now, letting it age for 18 years and then its an 18yo single malt...
Dr Rick
HiRich said:
Is the birth year 2009?
If it is (and it would apply to 2008 and a few more, the problem is getting hold of it. You're looking at an IOU for now.
For Scotch, as stated, you are looking for a vintage (all regular single malts are blends of many vintages), and it needs to be in cask for 8 years, often much longer. It will not mature in the bottle. One option would be The Balvenie Single Cask (as recently tatsed on here), literally made from one barrel, unblended. It's:
a) very rare, and in the hundreds of pounds per bottle
b) not released for a good ten, possibly 18 years.
Can be a bit hit and miss. I reserved a case of single malt from a newly re-opened distillery on Arran (Lochranza) which they held for me for 7years IIRC. But, when it finally turned up it tasted like turps. Not my best purchase ever, but at least I didn't pay full whack, or go for the full cask purchase option.If it is (and it would apply to 2008 and a few more, the problem is getting hold of it. You're looking at an IOU for now.
For Scotch, as stated, you are looking for a vintage (all regular single malts are blends of many vintages), and it needs to be in cask for 8 years, often much longer. It will not mature in the bottle. One option would be The Balvenie Single Cask (as recently tatsed on here), literally made from one barrel, unblended. It's:
a) very rare, and in the hundreds of pounds per bottle
b) not released for a good ten, possibly 18 years.
Dr Rick
Dupont666 said:
Plotloss said:
Port is better than either, gift wise.
Got any suggestions then?uncinqsix said:
Dupont666 said:
Plotloss said:
Port is better than either, gift wise.
Got any suggestions then?what particular makes are you looking at?
One of the problems about buying a cellar wine is that the recipient may not store it properly. If it is not properly cellared it will not age long. 18 years is a fair amount of time for most wines, and while they certainly exist, they need darkness, temperature and not being moved around a lot. So,FWIW, I would check how it is going to be kept. Spirits are far more robust, but as mentioned earlier, they age in the cask , not the bottle.
Dupont666 said:
uncinqsix said:
Dupont666 said:
Plotloss said:
Port is better than either, gift wise.
Got any suggestions then?what particular makes are you looking at?
You could just get a 2007 vintage and not worry too much about the date matching the birth year - that's what I'll do if there isn't an 08 vintage.
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