There's aged whiskey, and then there's the Glenlivet 70 Year Old Whiskey (£13,000; roughly $21,000). The second release in Gordon & MacPhail's Generations range, this rare spirit was distilled on February 3, 1940, and comes in a gorgeous tear-shaped, hand-blown crystal decanter, with a silver stopper and base, and a handmade box crafted from Scottish Elm. If you want some, you'd best hurry — only 100 bottles were made. [Thanks, Adam]
Normally single malt scotch comes in an understated bottle. That's definitely not the case with Highland Park 50 Year Old (£10,500; roughly $16,800) arrives inside a hand-carved oak box, with a Sterling silver porthole to tease at the unique handmade bottle inside, which itself is encased in an intricate weave of Sterling silver. Oh sure, the 44.8 percent alcohol whisky inside is extremely limited — only 275 bottles are being made — and it's part of five refill oak casks distilled in 1960, but if you're spending that much on booze, you probably don't even care.
Sure, when most people think of Whiskey, Bourbon, or Moonshine, they think of Kentucky and other similarly southern states — but that doesn't mean those damn Yankees can't get in on the fun. Given its license on April 14 of this year, Kings County Distillery, makers of Whiskey, Bourbon & Moonshine ($20), is New York City's only operating whiskey distillery, and the first since before prohibition. Currently available from select spots in Brooklyn and Manhattan, those of us outside the greater Gotham area will just have to rely on good ol' Astor Wines and Spirits.
Ever wish you could have your very own hooch instead of drinking the same thing as the bum on the street corner? Whisk(e)y Your Way ($5,400-$9,500) can make it happen. House Spirits Distillery in Portland will help you choose all your components, develop your mash bill, choose a level of char and type of oak for your barrel, and specify distillation details. If you want, you can even show up to help with preparing the wash, distilling, and barreling your drink, and you can come back to check on it as it ages as many times as you like. Finally, once you think it's ready, House will proof, bottle, and label the contents of your barrel, and you get to take home roughly 100 bottles of personalized whiskey for about $50 a bottle.
Time to add another bottle to your list of "stuff I'd love to drink if I had the money." Glenfiddich 50 Year Old ($16,000) is an incredibly expensive, incredibly rare, and, presumably, an incredibly tasty whisky. Part of only the second-ever vatting of the half-century Glenfiddich — the first was done for founder William Grant's children — this unique spirit has spent the last 50 years in two oak casks, which were then combined and aged for another six months in an American oak barrel to create the well-balanced, pleasantly sweet flavor.
What are you eating for dinner tonight? If that question stumps you each night because you don't have time to stock your fridge or need some coaching in the kitchen, give Blue Apron a try. This handy service ships you all the fresh ingredients you need for three delicious meals for two people, per week. Ingredients are perfectly portioned for each recipe, take about 35 minutes to prepare, and come with step-by-step recipe cards to make cooking gourmet meals at home a cinch. There are options for most dietary preferences, so whether you're a carnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, etc - there's an option to match.![](https://blueapron.sp1.convertro.com/view/vt/v1/blueapron/1/cvo.gif?cvosrc=content-paid.uncrate.july14"width=1){kind=small}
If you don't mind spending your child's college tuition fund on a single bottle of scotch, you might need help, and you'll no doubt be interested in Mortlach 70 (£10,000; roughly $15,200). Distilled in 1938 — before most of our parents were even born — the world's oldest whisky is surprisingly spry, with a slightly sweet start, a long finish, and notes of dried fig and smoky tobacco throughout. Plus, it comes in a display-worthy package, so you can show off your liquor lunacy to friends, family, and psychiatric professionals.
It's somewhat hard to believe, but rye hasn't been produced in New York since the prohibition days of gangsters, speakeasies, and secret, booze-eating trap doors. Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey ($50) is out to remedy this. Hudson's rye is made from whole grain rye, one batch at a time, ensuring a true 92 proof product, with a fruity, floral taste, unmistakable rye edge, and smooth finish. In addition, each bottle is hand-filled, capped, waxed, and numbered, and is, unsurprisingly, a nearly perfect base for a tasty manhattan.
Get a jump-start on your Father's Day shopping or add a rare gem to your scotch collection with the Ardmore 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($450). Limited to just 1,428 individually numbered bottles made exclusively for the U.S. market, this coveted aged whisky is crafted in the only Highland distillery that consistently peats its barley, offering bold, smokey flavor notes in addition to light citrus and dry licorice flavors.
Spice up your holiday gatherings with (rī)1 Whiskey ($45-$50). Pronounced "rye one," this 92 proof rye whiskey from the makers of Jim Beam features a slightly spicy, peppery flavor when sipped straight, revealing more strongly its dried fruit and cinnamon notes when cut with water, and offering new opportunities for talented mixologists everywhere.
Treat your palate to a rare treat in the form of a glass of Glenfiddich 31 Year Scotch Whisky ($490). Aged 31 years in European oak, the typically fruity notes of Glenfiddich disappear into a more mature mix of dried fruits, spicy sherry, and oak flavors in this Vintage Reserve bottling, giving you — and your tongue — a complex, most enjoyable workout.
Distilled, matured, and bottled in Scotland, Sheep Dip Scotch ($40) is more than just an odd name. This 8-year-old malt whisky features a smooth, rich flavor, and an amazingly angry sheep on the label. Says Uncrate reader Adam, "I'm no expert, but it's a bit smoother for me than the Yamazaki, more on par with JW black, but even has a bit of a milder taste than the JW." [Thanks, Adam]
Born from the pure waters of the Vale of Yamazaki and handcrafted at Japan's oldest distillery, Suntory Yamazaki Whisky is a great way to wind down after a hard day at the office. Aged for either 12 ($40) or 18 years ($100), Yamazaki has a lengthy, dry finish, with the 12-year variety offering a delicate, mellow taste and the 18-year providing a spicier punch, with cherry-like tones. For maximum enjoyment, serve on the rocks with an ice ball, which you can make yourself using the Spherical Ice Tray Set ($16) from MoMA.
Looking for something extra special to serve the in-laws this holiday season? Look no further than The Macallan Fine & Rare 1947 Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($TBA; contact themacallan1947@remyusa.com). Bottled in 1963, this 15-year-old whisky was purchased directly from a well-known collector, and features a rich, natural beech color, with a palate of light fruits, bitter chocolate and wood spice. If you're wanting some, you'd better hurry — only five bottles are available stateside.
Whether you're contemplating your last meal or simply looking for a truly exciting new whisky, The Last Drop Whisky ($2,000/bottle) should be on your list. Created by three liquor industry legends, the Last Drop is made from a variety whiskies, the youngest of which was distilled in 1960. Once all had hit the age of 12 years, they were blended and put into new sherry casks, inside which they spent the last 36 years, becoming more interesting and flavorful as the years went by. With only 1347 bottles available, you'd better make your move now to pick up this bottled history.
If it's good enough for Don Draper, it's good enough for us. To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Canadian Club has rolled out the limited edition Canadian Club 30 Year Old ($200). This velvety smooth whiskey has tons of character, and comes in a collector’s bottle with gold etching and a wax seal enclosed in a handsome black satin-lined box. Only 3,000 bottles are available.
Real men drink whisky — and The Glenlivet XXV ($350) is one hell of a whisky. Stored in Oloros Sherry casks for 25 years, this single malt blend is said to "achieve a spectacular range of flavor, as well as a balanced, smooth finish." Spoken in English, The Glenlivet XXV translates equals layers of nutty, spicy flavors on top of the traditional light and fruitiness of regular their regular blends. It also arrives in a signed and numbered wooden box that has been reinforced with limestone and brushed steel.
While typical Jack Daniel’s is a mixture of countless barrels to keep consistent flavor, the master distiller goes around and hand picks barrels that are above and beyond the average, and they become Jack Daniel's Single Barrel ($86). Each bottle is individually numbered to reflect the barrel it came from, and each one has a slightly different taste, since they aren’t mixed. So grab a bottle, a fine cigar, and enjoy. If you really need a lot, you can also buy an entire barrel ($8400 - $9600), which comes in around 240 750ml bottles, and includes the original empty barrel and framed certificate of ownership.
There’s nothing quite like sharing a fine drink with a business partner after a newly established partnership, and there’s no drink quite like 18 Year Old Macallan ($124). Voted best whisky in the world by Whiskey Magazine in 2004, the 18 year vintage of The Macallan is consistently one of the most smooth drinking scotches in the world. If you’re still in the dating game, the drink is a triple threat — your girl will like it, her father will be impressed by your impeccable taste, and if she has a good looking mother… well, we’ll leave that one up for you to figure out.
