I'm not quite sad enough to list all my empty bottles, but I have to admit
I keep meticulous records of both my current and my future stock.

Malt

Alc. %

Bottler

Age

Distilled

Bottled

Size

#

Aberlour 15yo Sherry Wood Finish
Aberlour '100 Proof'
Aberlour A'bunadh (No Batch #)
Aberlour A'bunadh (Batch #6)

40.0%
57.1%
59.6%
59.9%

OB
OB
OB
OB

15
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

2000
2000
1999
2000

70cl
100cl
70cl
70cl

2
2
2
2

Ardbeg 8yo 1992 'Millennium Edition'
Ardbeg 10yo
Ardbeg 11yo 1990 'Spirit of Scotland'
Ardbeg 17yo
Ardbeg 21yo 1974
Ardbeg 24yo 1975 'Douglas Laing' (713)
Ardbeg 26yo 1974 'Douglas Laing' (252)
Ardbeg 27yo 1973 'Douglas Laing' (228)
Ardbeg 29yo 1972 'Douglas Laing' (432)
Ardbeg 30yo 'Very Old'

43.0%
46.0%
58.4%
40.0%
40.0%
50.0%
50.0%
50.0%
50.0%
40.0%

SigV
OB
SpM
OB
Sest
OMC
OMC
OMC
OMC
OB

08
10
11
17
21
24
26
27
29
30

1992
-
1990
-
1974
1975
1974
1973
1972
-

2000
2000
2001
2001
1996
2000
2001
2000
2001
1999

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

Balvenie 15yo 1985 'Single Barrel'
Balvenie 21yo Port Wood Finish 1997 Ed.

50.4%
43.0%

OB
OB

15
21

1985
-

2002
1997

70cl
70cl

1
1

Bladnoch 10yo 1991 'Straight From The Cask'
Bladnoch 23yo 1977

56.9%
53.6%

SigV
UDRM

10
23

1991
1977

2001
2001

70cl
70cl

2
2

Braes of Glenlivet 1977 Madeira Wood

43.0%

Mgm

22

1977

2000

70cl

2

Brora 19yo 1981
Brora 20yo 1981 (Unchillfiltered)
Brora 21yo 1977
Brora 24yo 1977

43.0%
46.0%
56.9%
56.1%

SigV
Sigv
UDRM
UDRM

19
20
21
24

1981
1981
1977
1977

2001
2002
1998
2001

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

1
1
1
1

Caol Ila 9yo 1992
Caol Ila 10yo 1988
Caol Ila 10yo 1989
Caol Ila 11yo 1990 (Rum)
Caol Ila 12yo 1990 (Unchillfiltered)
Caol Ila 11yo 1991 (Unchillfiltered / Port)
Caol Ila 11yo 1989 (Chillfiltered / Bourbon)
Caol Ila 12yo 1989 (Unchillfiltered / Sherry)
Caol Ila 21yo 1975

43.0%
43.0%
46.0%
43.0%
43.0%
46.0%
43.0%
46.0%
61.3%

Coop
Hart
DunE
Chft
Gibb
SigV
SigV
SigV
UDRM

09
10
10
11
12
11
11
12
21

1992
1988
1989
1990
1990
1991
1989
1989
1975

2002
1998
1999
2001
2002
2002
2001
2001
1997

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

1
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
2

Clynelish 11yo 1990 Cask #3953
Clynelish 11yo 1989 'Summer Provenance'
Clynelish 12yo 1989
Clynelish 14yo
Clynelish 24yo 1972

45.0%
43.0%
43.0%
46.0%
61.3%

Bldr
Gibb
SigV
OB
UDRM

11
11
12
14
24

1990
1989
1989
-
1972

2001
2000
2002
2001
1997

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

1
1
1
1
1

Cragganmore 1985 DE CggD-6550
Cragganmore 1984 DE CggD-6549
Cragganmore 1976

40.0%
40.0%
53.8%

OB
OB
G&M

-
-
17

1985
1984
1976

2000
1999
1993

70cl
70cl
70cl

1
1
1

Glendronach 15yo '100% Sherry Casks'

40.0%

OB

15

-

1999

100cl

2

Glenglassaugh 1973 'Vintage Reserve'

40.0%

FamSlv

-

1973

1999

70cl

4

Glenrothes 1989
Glenrothes 1987

43.0%
43.0%

OB
OB

10
13

1989
1987

2000
2000

70cl
70cl

1
1

Glen Scotia 9yo 1991
Glen Scotia 14yo

43.0%
40.0%

SigV
OB

09
14

1991
-

2000
1999

70cl
70cl

2
2

Highland Park 12yo (Tube)
Highland Park 22yo 1977

43.0%
43.0%

OB
SigV

12
21

-
1997

1999
2000

100cl
70cl

2
1

Knockando 1987
Knockando 1986
Knockando 1984

40.0%
43.0%
43.0%

J&B
J&B
J&B

12
12
14

1987
1986
1984

1999
1998
1998

70cl
100cl
75cl

1
1
1

Lagavulin 12yo 'Special Release'
Lagavulin 16yo 'Port Ellen'
Lagavulin 16yo 'White Horse'
Lagavulin 1984 DE Double Mat. lgv.4/468
Lagavulin 1980 DE Double Mat. lgv.4/464

58.0%
43.0%
43.0%
43.0%
43.0%

OB
OB
OB
OB
OB

12
16
16
-
-

-
-
-
1984
1980

2002
2001
1999
2001
1998

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

2
4
4
1
1

Laphroaig 10yo
Laphroaig 10yo 'Original Cask Strength' (Green Stripe)
Laphroaig 13yo 1988
Laphroaig 15yo 1985 'Laudable' (318)

43.0%
57.3%
46.0%
50.0%

OB
OB
MmcD
OMC

10
10
13
15

-
-
1988
1985

1999
2000
2001
2000

100cl
100cl
70cl
70cl

2
8
1
2

Linkwood 10yo 1990
Linkwood 11yo 1988 'Millennium Edition'
Linkwood 12yo 1989
Linkwood 12yo 1988

43.0%
43.0%
43.0%
43.0%

Chft
SigV
Coop
SigV

10
11
12
12

1990
1988
1989
1988

2000
2000
2002
2000

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

1
1
1
1

Linlithgow 1982
Linlithgow 18yo 1982
Linlithgow 24yo 1975
Linlithgow 26yo 1975

61.6%
43.0%
51.5%
51.5%

ScSl
SigV
SigV
SigV

18
18
24
26

1982
1982
1975
1975

2000
2001
1999
2001

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

1
1
1
1

Macallan 7yo (Italy)
Macallan 8yo 1989
Macallan 1990 'Millennium Selection'
Macallan 10yo
Macallan 10yo '100 Proof' (France)
Macallan 10yo '100 Proof' (Japan)
Macallan 10yo '100 Proof' (Europe)
Macallan 10yo 'Cask Strength'
Macallan 1988 'As We Get It'
Macallan 12yo
Macallan 12yo 1989
Macallan 15yo 1984
Macallan 18yo 1983
Macallan 18yo 1982
Macallan 18yo 1981
Macallan 18yo 1979 'Gran Reserva'
Macallan 34yo 1966 'Rare Reserve'

40.0%
61.5%
50.0%
40.0%
57.0%
57.0%
57.0%
58,8%
54.9%
43.0%
60.3%
40.0%
43.0%
43.0%
43.0%
43.0%
50.0%

OB
Mrys
Mroy
OB
OB
OB
OB
OB
Krsch
OB
Cad
OB
OB
OB
OB
OB
SigV

07
08
09
10
10
10
10
10
12
12
12
15
18
18
18
18
34

-
1989
1990
-
-
-
-
-
1988
-
1989
1984
1983
1982
1981
1979
1966

1999
1997
1999
1999
1999
1998
1997
2001
2000
1999
2001
2000
2001
2000
1999
1997
2000

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
100cl
70cl
100cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Mortlach 12yo 1989 Sherry Cask
Mortlach 13yo 1988 Sherry Cask
Mortlach 20yo 1978

43.0%
43.0%
62.2%

Coop
SigV
UDRM

12
13
20

1989
1988
1978

2002
2001
1998

70cl
70cl
70cl

2
2
2

Port Ellen 18yo 1981 'Winter Provenance'
Port Ellen 19yo 1982 (720 / Sherry Cask)
Port Ellen 21yo 1979 (330 / Bourbon Cask)
Port Ellen 21yo 1979 (618 / Sherry Cask)
Port Ellen 22yo 1979 (No. 3942)
Port Ellen 22yo 1978
Port Ellen 23yo 1978 (764 / Sherry Finish)

43.0%
50.0%
50.0%
50.0%
56.2%
60.5%
50.0%

Gibb
OMC
OMC
OMC
OB
UDRM
OMC

18
19
21
21
22
22
23

1981
1982
1979
1979
1979
1978
1978

2000
2001
2000
2001
2001
2000
2001

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

1
1
1
1
1
2
1

Saint Magdalene 19yo 1979

63.8%

UDRM

19

1979

1998

70cl

8

Springbank 12yo 1989 'Private Bottling'
Springbank 12yo 1989 'Rum Wood'
Springbank 21yo
Springbank 30yo 'Golden Strength'

58.1%
54.6%
46.0%
50.0%

OB
OB
OB
Mroy

12
12
21
30

1989
1989
-
-

2001
2002
2000
1997

70cl
70cl
70cl
75cl

1
1
1
1

Talisker 10yo (green glass, green box)
Talisker 10yo (white glass, dark grey 'stone' box)
Talisker 10yo (green glass, light box)
Talisker 1986 DE Double Matured (TD-S:5AM)
Talisker 19yo 1980 'Tactical' (348)
Talisker 22yo 1979 'Tactical' (288)

45.8%
45.8%
45.8%
45.8%
50.0%
50.0%

OB
OB
OB
OB
OMC
OMC

10
10
10
-
19
22

-
-
-
1986
1980
1979

2002
2001
1999
1999
2000
2001

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl

2
1
2
2
2
2
               

And here are some bottles I might be willing to trade if and when the right offer comes along...
-

Trading Stock
-

Aberlour A'bunadh (No Batch #)
Ardbeg 9yo 1991 (MM2999)
Ardbeg 10yo 1991 (MM2114)
Balvenie 15yo 1985 'Single Barrel'
Bruichladdich 15yo (Old bottling)
Glen Albyn 10yo
Glen Albyn 22yo 1977
Glen Avon 15yo (Sestante misprint)
Glenfiddich 15yo Cask Strength
Glenglassaugh 1986
Glen Mhor 12yo
Glenmorangie 100 Proof 'Traditional'
Glenmorangie 100 Proof
Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish (White Label)
Imperial 18yo 1982
Ladyburn 8yo
Laphroaig 12yo 1987 'Leapfrog'
Laphroaig 15yo 1985 'Laudable' (318)
Loch Dhu 10yo
Macallan 1990 'Millennium Selection'
Macallan 12yo (old litre bottling, 43%)
MacDuff 11yo 1990
Port Ellen 18yo 1981 'Winter Provenance'
Port Ellen 22yo 1978
Rosebank 10yo 1991
Rosebank 11yo 1989
Saint Magdalene 19yo 1979
Singleton of Auchroisk 1981
Springbank 21yo
Talisker 10yo (1999 bottling)
Tomintoul Glenlivet 12yo

59.6%
46.0%
46.0%
50.4%
43.0%
43.0%
43.0%
40.0%
51.0%
43.0%
40.0%
57.2%
57.2%
43.0%
43.0%
40.0%
46.0%
50.0%
40.0%
50.0%
43.0%
43.0%
43.0%
60.5%
43.0%
43.0%
63.8%
43.0%
46.0
45.8%
43.0%

OB
MmcD
MmcD
OB
OB
IB
SigV
G&M
OB
McPh
G&M
OB
OB
OB
Chft
OB
MmcD
OMC
OB
Mroy
OB
Coop
Gibb
UDRM
Chft
Ultm
UDRM
OB
OB
OB
OB

-
09
10
15
15
10
22
15
15
-
12
-
-
-
18
08
12
15
10
-
12
11
18
22
10
11
19
-
21
10
12

-
1991
1991
1985
-
-
1977
-
-
1986
-
-
-
-
1982
-
1987
1985
-
1990
-
1990
1981
1978
1991
1989
1979
1981
-
-
-

2000
2000
2001
2002
1999
1995
1999
1990
2000
1998
1997
1999
1998
1999
2000
-
2000
2000
1999
1999
1998
2002
2000
2000
2001
2001
1998
 1997
2000
1999
1990

70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
75cl
100cl
70cl
70cl
100cl
100cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
100cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
70cl
100cl
70cl
70cl
75cl

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

               

RETURN TO MAIN PAGE

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Surf to Scotchwhisky.com Drop me a note...

 

In fact, this isn't quite as sad as it sounds because I've invented a complex 'Shelf Management System'.
This was neccessary because in the good old days I regurarly got carried away at the end of a tasting session, opening four or five fresh bottles just out of curiosity. At a certain point there were more than a hundred partly filled bottles of whisky scattered throughout my living room. I'm having a hard enough time posing as a responsible citizen as it is, so that didn't help much...

(Click HERE if you want to know more about the details of my 'system'.)

What's more, after a bottle of single malt whisky has been opened it begins to 'breathe'.
That's not a big problem when you finish a bottle within a few months, but with a collection of 100 open bottles and a monthly consumption of maybe 3 bottles the average bottle enjoyed the hospitality of my shelves for more than two years. And while some malts keep improving after the bottle has been opened most of them don't.

Ardbeg 24yo 1975 (50%, OMC)
Ardbeg 27yo 1973 (50%, OMC)
Braes of Glenlivet 17yo (58.1%)
Bruichladdich 1983 (Ceramic)
Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish
Highland Park 18yo (OB)
Lagavulin 12yo C/S (58%, OB)
Lagavulin 16yo 'Port Ellen' (OB)
Laphroaig 10yo C/S (57.3%)
Laphroaig 15yo (43%, OB)
Laphroaig 15yo 1985 (OMC)
Linlithgow 18yo 1982 (SigV)
Mortlach 21yo (Sestante)
Port Ellen 18yo 1981/2000
Port Ellen 22yo 1978/2000
Talisker 19yo 1980 (OMC)

Balvenie 12yo Doublewood
Benrinnes 12yo 1989 (Coop)
Benrinnes 1985/1999 (MacKull)
Benrinnes 1978/1995 (G&M)
Bladnoch 1992 C/S (McArthur)
Bowmore 15yo 'Mariner' (OB)
Bowmore 17yo (OB)
Bruichladdich 1986 (MurMac)
Clynelish 14yo (OB)
Glendronach 15yo Sherry
Glenfarclas 1983 Family Res. #4
Glenfarclas NAS '105' (OB)
Glenrothes 8yo (G&M)
Linkwood 12yo 1989 (Coop)
Longmorn 15yo (OB)
Mortlach 1989 Sherry (Coop)

Auchroisk 10yo (OB)
Auchroisk 11yo 1989 (Chft)
Balmenach 10yo (SWld)
Banff 18yo 1980 (Chft)
Benromach 19yo 1978/2000
Convalmore 15yo 1983 (Chft)
Convalmore 16yo 1981 (Ult)
Cragganmore 12yo (OB)
Edradour 10yo (OB)
Glenfiddich 15yo C/S
Glenlossie 10yo 1989 (Gibb)
Highland Park 12yo 1988
Lochindaal 10yo (OB)
Macduff 11yo 1990 (Coop)
Old Pulteney 12yo (OB)
Royal Brackla 16yo 1984

So, I needed a system. After a lot of complex calculations and computations I decided to limit my drinking collection to 48 bottles, divided over 3 shelves with room for 16 bottles each. So, which bottle goes where? Well, it's all very logical when you think about it. My TOP SHELF holds my current favourites, usually scoring well over 80 points. The MIDDLE SHELF is reserved for the malts that were not quite good enough to reach my top shelf, but too good to end up on my for the BOTTOM SHELF.

on December 31, 2002
Data on all distilleries in ScotlandThe mAlmanac - A Beginner's Guide to single maltsAn interactive map of the whisky regions of ScotlandRatings and basic data on all the single malts I've sampled so farThe best (and the worst) whiskies in the worldA collection of liquid linksBig Black Book - Overview
Go backContactIntroductionHomepageSitemapHelpSearchBig Black BookMalt Maniacs - the single malt Scotch whisky E-zine
ECT ALT="Help" COORDS="836,44,883,60" HREF="../2003/help.html#">SearchBig Black BookMalt Maniacs - the single malt Scotch whisky E-zine