White Horse

Acquired 3rd October 2013. Part of my ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Ratings:
90.5/100 – Whisky Bible 2013 (for modern version)

Here’s Ben of ‘A Dram A Day’ with his review on You Tube (March 2016):

Long John

Acquired 3rd October 2013. Part of my ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Ratings:
72/100 – Whisky Bible 2006 (for modern version)

Thanks to the wonders of Ebay I’ve bought myself the 2009 and 2006 versions of the Whisky Bible. Long John was missing in 2013 and 2009 but I found it in 2006 and…..oh dear, only 72/100. This means “usually drinkable but don’t expect the earth to move”. I’m not sure when my bottle was produced but I’m hoping it was from a better vintage than 2006. I know it’s 1990s or earlier. But since it’s a blend I can always throw some lemonade or ginger ale into it if it clearly needs some outside assistance.

Here’s Ben of ‘A Dram A Day’ with his review on You Tube (Sept 2016):

Haig Gold Label

Acquired 3rd October 2013. Part of my ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Ratings:
88/100 – Whisky Bible 2013 (for modern version)
86/100 – Ralfy, of www.ralfy.com (for 1960s version)
Review: – Ralfy – Haig Gold Label (1960s v 2010) – YouTube

I’m not yet sure which decade my bottle comes from but I’m hoping Ralfy’s review of a 1960s bottle is close to the mark. I wont open this one until I have a more modern bottling to compare it against.

Johnnie Walker Red Label – 5cl

Acquired 3rd October 2013. Part of my ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Ratings:
87.5/100 – Whisky Bible 2013 (for modern version)
86/100 – Ralfy, of www.ralfy.com (for 1960s version)
Review: – Ralfy – Johnnie Walker Red Label (1960s v 2010) – YouTube

Although I’m not sure which decades my two wee bottles come from, Ralfy’s review comparing a bottle from the 1960s to one from 2010 makes interesting viewing. I believe at least one of my bottles is closer to the 1960s than 2013. I’m yet to acquire a modern bottle but, when I do, I’ll be sure to contrast and compare between the vintages. Hopefully by then my research will pin down when my minis were made.

Johnnie Walker Black Label – 5cl

Acquired 3rd October 2013. Part of my ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Having bought a new bottle of Black Label a few months ago, here is my chance to do a before/after comparison with this vintage miniature. I’m not sure which decade this little bottle comes from, and online research hasn’t shed any light on this. I should look harder because Johnnie Walker is one of the most collected whiskies out there. If I can pin down the bottling year I might be able to find some appropriate reviews. As it is I’m on my own and my tasting notes at this early stage usually say “yep, tastes like whisky to me!”

The Dufftown Glenlivet

Acquired 3rd October 2013. Part of my ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Ratings:
79/100 – Malt Maniacs (from 4 review)

I thought this was a NAS until I did a bit of research and discovered that a little label is missing that says this malt is ‘Over 8-years-old’. This form of the Dufftown was first bottled in 1985, so when I finally drink it I’ll make sure I dust off my old Bananarama album for some appropriate background music. Then I’ll play ‘Don’t Go’ by the Hothouse Flowers when I get to the last few drops.

Queen Anne

Acquired 3rd October 2013. Part of my ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Unfortunately there’s only about 4cl left of this 5cl miniature. The seal on the cap still seems intact so I can only assume it’s leaked rather than been opened and a small amount consumed. Perhaps evaporation? With this lack of perfection, that sounds like a good reason to open it and drink it! 🙂

Famous Grouse 5cl

Acquired 3rd October 2013. Part of my ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Ratings:
89/100 – Whisky Bible 2013 (for the modern version)

It’s one extreme to another with my bottles of Famous Grouse. My original 1ltr has now been joined by this mini. It seems a shame to crack open the big bottle so this latest addition has its days numbered! Perhaps the test should be to get a new bottle (pre-Christmas discount from a supermarket) and see how this old bottle compares.

Bowmore 12-year-old 1980s

Acquired 3rd October 2013. Part of my ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Ratings:
91/100 – Whisky Bible 2013 (for the modern version)
89.4/100 – Whiskybase (average from 110 member votes)

No review from Ralfy of www.ralfy.com on this specific bottling but he bought a full size version in an auction which he reveals in this following video 7 minutes and 30 seconds in: Buying whiskies at auction. He mentions doing a review in the future where he compares this old version of Bowmore with the current one. Perhaps I’ll do that one day, once I’ve bought a new 12yo.

VAT 69

Acquired 3rd October 2013. One more from the ‘Customs & Excise’ collection.

Ratings:
84.5/100 – Whisky Bible 2013
86/100 – Ralfy, of www.ralfy.com
Review: – Ralfy – VAT 69 – YouTube

These reviews don’t relate to a version of VAT 69 as old as this one but it gives some insight into the blend.

The more I’ve become interested in whisky, and looking at miniatures, the more I’ve realised that this area is big business with collectors. Perhaps being a whisky drinker I wasn’t expecting to find that empty miniature bottles are more often found on Ebay than full ones. I was staggered to discover that someone in the UK was selling an empty 5cl bottle of this VAT 69, similar age (1970s most likely) for £4. Someone in Singapore was selling one for £12.44 and £7.47 postage, so nearly £20! I always thought the cost was in the contents! Obviously not. I’m glad I spotted this so I wont be throwing away any bottles after I’ve enjoyed the whisky inside.