Ask Away: Do You Ever Leave a Bottle of Whisky Unopened?

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for a new Ask Away: do you ever leave a bottle of whisky unopened? And why? We put the question to the Whisky Monkeys.

Absolutely. I currently have a few sealed bottles in the cabinet. That’s not because I’m a collector—I believe whisky is made to be enjoyed. It’s just that I already have so many bottles open that I want to finish some before cracking into new ones. I also have two special bottles from my birth year waiting for the right moment to be opened.

Definitely. I’ve got a small stash of Wolfburns, about 80 percent of those are still sealed. I’ve also got other whiskies that haven’t been opened yet, but they will be when the time is right. They’re made to be drunk.

I’ll definitely keep a bottle sealed if it’s something truly special. If a beautiful series comes out, I like to keep those closed and collect the full set. Often I’ve already tasted them, though. Sometimes I sell those special bottles if they no longer hold my interest or I end up opening them anyway.

Not all my bottles are open yet because I want to finish what’s already uncorked first. The temptation to open that new gem is strong, though.

No—unless it’s a gift. Otherwise, whisky exists to be enjoyed. I don’t rush through it, but I do drink it. No one can truly enjoy a sealed bottle.

Yes, I sometimes leave a bottle sealed. Years ago, I won a bottle through Master of Malt and Whisky Santa, a 25-year-old Glen Elgin from Mackillop’s Choice. I don’t want to open that one because how I got it makes it special. I also have a bottle of Highland Cask Strength Batch 1. You can never remake a Batch 1, so I’d rather keep it closed. But in general, I buy whisky to drink.

A year ago I’d have said every bottle should be opened and whisky is there to be drunk. I see it a bit differently now. It’s a shame when people think in boxes or tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. If someone buys a few lovely bottles, keeps them sealed on a shelf, doesn’t drink them, but shows them to guests—well, then whisky sparked a conversation, and I think that’s great too. You often hear people say whisky is to be drunk and every bottle must be opened. I take a different view: live and let live.

Personally, I open most of my bottles. I also love having a full collection and offering drams to guests. But these days I find investing in whisky just as intriguing. What will a bottle be worth? Which ones are truly special? So now and then I’ll leave one sealed. I should add: those are bottles I’d love to open. Going forward, I’d like to buy two—one to open and one to keep. And sometimes I’ll buy a single bottle intending to open it, but it almost feels like a shame.