Old Scotch Whiskey?

[Trogon]

One of my hunting cousins showed me a box of older liquor he had removed from his wife's grandmother's house. Frankly I know something about bourbon and nothing about scotch. We're trying to figure out if there is any value to these. So, I'm asking for any thoughts on the three pictured. All three have never been opened. The range of all the liquor bottles for age could be back as far as the 1970's according to my cousin's wife, I don't know. Appreciate all comments.

 

[BeeMaa]

Not sure of the value of each of these.
One of the first things to know about Scotch is...it only ages in the barrel.
A 12 YO bottle of Scotch that was bottled in 1990, is a still a 12 YO bottle of Scotch.
Second, unless the distillery has gone out of business, it is unlikely to appreciate in value.
There are on-line services who specialize in older liquour bottle sales who can give proper pricing.

Balvenie is a single-malt and today is a pretty nice bottle of Scotch with their regular starting for about $60.
Some of the Balvenie Scotch goes for well above $10,000, although most are aged around the 30-50 year point.

Glenfiddich is the next down the list, but still a single-malt, going today for around $40-50.

Pinch is not really a top shelf because it is a blended Scotch, currently $40 or so.

My recommendation is to get a glass and enjoy.

 

[Trogon]

Not sure of the value of each of these.
One of the first things to know about Scotch is...it only ages in the barrel.
A 12 YO bottle of Scotch that was bottled in 1990, is a still a 12 YO bottle of Scotch.
Second, unless the distillery has gone out of business, it is unlikely to appreciate in value.
There are on-line services who specialize in older liquour bottle sales who can give proper pricing.

Balvenie is a single-malt and today is a pretty nice bottle of Scotch with their regular starting for about $60.
Some of the Balvenie Scotch goes for well above $10,000, although most are aged around the 30-50 year point.

Glenfiddich is the next down the list, but still a single-malt, going today for around $40-50.

Pinch is not really a top shelf because it is a blended Scotch, currently $40 or so.

My recommendation is to get a glass and enjoy.

BeeMaa, thanks for your reply. We looked at some offerings on online stores and there's such variation in photos and descriptions it's difficult to get much info. I'll take your advice and check with some buyers and see what pans out. And thank you for describing the differences in scotch. Personally I have not taken to it.
I do understand the barrel aging process, I'm a displaced Kentuckian. Thanks again!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Trogon, it’s all cheap rot gut scotch. I’ll send you my address. You can ship it to me and I’ll dispose of it for you!

 

[Trogon]

Trogon, it’s all cheap rot gut scotch. I’ll send you my address. You can ship it to me and I’ll dispose of it for you!

Ridgewalker, you'll be the first in line if it comes to that. Maybe I should take a step up from Johnny Walker Red?

 

[BeeMaa]

Trogon, it’s all cheap rot gut scotch. I’ll send you my address. You can ship it to me and I’ll dispose of it for you!

How did I forget to mention this...I must be slipping.

Good catch.

 

[sgt_zim]

Ridgewalker, you'll be the first in line if it comes to that. Maybe I should take a step up from Johnny Walker Red?

I actually prefer JW Red to Black.

There are big variations in flavor, depending on how the malt is formed. Lowland Scotches, the barley is dried out with peat fire. Count me as absolutely not a fan of lowland Scotch. Highland and Speyside Scotches, OTOH, are a lot less peaty/smoky, and it's a lot easier to pick up whatever notes the distiller is trying to capture. Hints of peat are fine, even desirable for my palate. Lowland Scotches are overwhelmingly peaty, and IMO masks the flavors imparted by the cask, or fruitiness, or whatever . Just not my cuppa.

 

[Trogon]

I actually prefer JW Red to Black.

There are big variations in flavor, depending on how the malt is formed. Lowland Scotches, the barley is dried out with peat fire. Count me as absolutely not a fan of lowland Scotch. Highland and Speyside Scotches, OTOH, are a lot less peaty/smoky, and it's a lot easier to pick up whatever notes the distiller is trying to capture. Hints of peat are fine, even desirable for my palate. Lowland Scotches are overwhelmingly peaty, and IMO masks the flavors imparted by the cask, or fruitiness, or whatever . Just not my cuppa.

My thoughts on the taste of scotch would be whiskey with dirty socks soaked in it, but hey to each their own, lol!

 

[Ridgewalker]

I honestly quit drinking scotch when in my late 50s or early 60s. I only drank it neat with a water back. Balvenvie (highland) was a light peat as I recall while Glenfidich was quite smokey. Not nearly as smokey as Taliskar though. Pinch I believe was a blend.
My personal favorite was 15 year old McAllan at least it was until the Japanese bought the distillery. The prices shot out of my reach after that.

 

[edward]

Trogon, it’s all cheap rot gut scotch. I’ll send you my address. You can ship it to me and I’ll dispose of it for you!

your such a angel,with horns.

 

[Ridge Runner]

+1, regards to Beemaa's post.
The bottles you have listed, locally costs $35-$38.00 (rounded up) for the Glenddich;
about $40-$50 for each of the other 2 bottles.

If they were older scotches they could be worth more, but 12 year old not so much.

Enjoy them.

 

[juniorz439]

Glenfidich is one of the main reasons I drink alcohol, hah.

 

[Shootist43]

Trogon, it is the Holiday Season and with more than a few Bowl Games thrown in, between you and your friends propose a toast to the old gal and enjoy.

 

[WAB]

Trogon, the values given are spot on. No hidden treasures here. However, the Balvenie is quite smooth. I suggest you dispose of the other two but give the Balvenie a try. Drink it neat but add a splash of water to open it up. You may be surprised.

 

[crudeoildude]

and if nothing else you can refill some old kerosene lanterns,LOL

 

[WAB]

I want to go on record that I will trade kerosene for scotch straight up with any members who find that they have an excess of scotch and a shortage of kerosene!

 

[crudeoildude]

they both taste about the same neither come close to a good bourbon

 

[jeanes]

My thoughts on the taste of scotch would be whiskey with dirty socks soaked in it, but hey to each their own, lol!

LOL. My son gave me a bottle of Laphroaig 15 for my birthday awhile back. When I shared a glass with him he described the taste as "old used band aids". Scotch is definitely an acquired taste, especially Islay scotch.

 

[WAB]

they both taste about the same neither come close to a good bourbon

LOL, perhaps I need to lower the bid, 2 bottles of scotch for one bottle of kerosene! I actually like both. I find I drink more bourbon in the summer and more scotch when it is cold outside. I started drinking scotch years ago after stalking all day in the hills or Perthshire. Scotch seems particularly good after a day in the heather!

 

[BeeMaa]

LOL. My son gave me a bottle of Laphroaig 15 for my birthday awhile back. When I shared a glass with him he described the taste as "old used band aids". Scotch is definitely an acquired taste, especially Islay scotch.

Islay is my favorite, but it is very much an aquired taste.
Not for first timers, but after you have done enough of the Highlands, Speyside, Campbelltown and Lowlands...
Caol Isla, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Klichoman and Ardbeg are at the top of my Islay list.

Unfortunately, Mrs Beemaa doesn't like even the smell of an open glass of one of these.
Drinks by the fire it is!!