Whisky Forum - New member with a bottle of 1985 Macallan 18yr

tonyt915 · New Member Joined: 30 Dec 2015 Posts: 4

Hi, names Anthony. Wouldn't call myself a scotch connoisseur, but I do love scotch and trying new ones. During conversation I mentioned to my boss, that I prefer scotch and he said he had an old bottle of scotch thats been sitting in the cabinet for at least 20 years I could have. Little did I know he would give me a 1985 Macallan 18 yr single malt scotch. I know the name but after a bit of research see that this may be a valuable bottle, and would like to have some advice on getting the most and best flavor from this bottle and if I should pair it with something.

Quaich1 · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 9:08 pm Post subject:

Hi Anthony,

Here's some perspective on value for this one if it is indeed the same one:

http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-78896-1985-the-macallan-18-year-old-sherry-oak-single-malt-scotch-whisky-speyside-highlands-scotland

If I was going to have this dram, I would taste it neat and not pair it with anything. It has dessert dram reminiscences. A piece of dark chocolate would go well with it.

Very Happy

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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

tonyt915 · New Member Joined: 30 Dec 2015 Posts: 4

Rexmundi · Member Joined: 27 Dec 2015 Posts: 7

Hi Anthony, how very lucky! Question is do you break the seal off on a bottle that valuable?...and does your boss know how generous he has been? I agree with Quaich1 and I'd recommend tasting it pure and undiluted.
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Slange

tonyt915 · New Member Joined: 30 Dec 2015 Posts: 4

Delboyscap · Single Malt Member Joined: 26 Sep 2015 Posts: 54

You have a very good boss!!!

I actually just bought the exact same bottling a few weeks ago. I would be tempted to hold on to it for a while, especially if you are new to drinking whisky. Experiment with some other whisky first and you can always come back to it later?

The boss probably does not have a clue how prices have increased on older Macallan since he got his hands on that. A very generous boss, lucky you!!!!

tonyt915 · New Member Joined: 30 Dec 2015 Posts: 4

opelfruit · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 4:44 pm Post subject:

We could all do with bosses like that!

In terms of value, winesearcher shows average retail prices, these are not the same as private sale prices.

On the auction market your probably looking at more like Â£250 - still a very valuable whisky, but if you sold it you'll likely get about Â£180 in your pocket after fees etc.

I'd echo the seniment of the others; keep it for a while until you feel your palate is ready for a whisky like that and then open it.....or sell it as prices will have likely risen.

For me, it's for drinking though and it's cost you nothing, so cracking it open and enjoy!
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

shadowcollector · Member Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Eindhoven

I would say drink it in a few years time.
First learn with others and at some point open this bottle, making money is nice but there are other bottles that can make you a quick buck. The opportunity to taste a 1985 18 year old macallan doesn't happen often and not many have the change to do so.

What if you didn't know how much the bottle would cost, you would open it. I would still do that. Your boss gave it to you so you could enjoy it, he might say that you can sell it but I think he would appreciate if you would open the bottle at a special moment and tell him how much you enjoyed it (or not...)

But it's all up to you.... Wink