Just got my first decanter! What should I store in it?

[Dreadnought]

Hi all,

For Christmas I got my first decanter. I'm not an expert by any means on hard liquors or wines, nor have I really established my unique taste in these regards.

I'd like to begin the process of trying out different drinks, with the ultimate goal being to find one worth keeping in my decanter. I intend to taste test before settling on a choice.

Do you have a specific alcohol that you store in your own decanters? Is there any one in particular best suited for guests? Are there any liquors/wines I should try specifically for this case? (specific brands would be a great help!)

I know looks can be important, so an image of my decanter can be found here.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Formaldehyde]

I presume you are referring to a glass bottle with a stopper instead of a wine decanter, which is used to properly aerate red wine before drinking it.

If so, you should keep your favorite alcoholic beverage in it whatever that happens to be. If you like multiple ones, it would probably make sense to keep the most expensive or one of the more colorful ones in it. They are particularly well suited for beverages that you drink straight or on the rocks in small amounts, so you can enjoy pouring from it more often. It also requires less refilling.

 

[Borachio]

Water.

And a very small goldfish.

 

[ace99]

Johnny Walker Blue Label

 

[Patroklos]

Nothing that can oxidize if it's going tomb in there for more than a couple hours max.

If it's stoppered just make sure you keep it out of direct sunlight as with clear glass and no labeling it will deteriorate.

 

[Flying Pig]

Really that sort of thing demands brandy: you need a proper decanter for port, and only at dinner.

 

[Patroklos]

If you aren't drinking your port directly out of the bottle it was a dull affair

 

[Borachio]

Should the port be passed to the left or the right? After the ladies have left the dining room.

 

[Bartleby]

Ask the Bishop of Norwich.

 

[BvBPL]

The only thing I decant is wine (red or white, although decanting white is usually unnecessary if I remember to open it ahead of time).

I don't know if there is any value in decanting spirits other than brandy.

 

[Eat_Up_Martha]

Nitroglycerin. If someone is sent to assassinate you, ask for one last drink before you go. Then huck the decanter them and duck behind the accompanying large, ornately carved and well aged oaken desk for cover. If you lack such a desk, you don't really deserve a decanter in the first place, now do you? I base most of my decorating choices for defense against polite assassins.

Or scotch. That picture you linked to just cries out for a good scotch.

 

[Crezth]

^ best post I have read on these forums

 

[Zelig]

Chocolate milk.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Endless water.

 

[Farm Boy]

Glenlivet 18. Not contest in Farm Boy's mind.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Johnny Walker Blue Label

Blended? Meh

Glenlivet 18. Not contest in Farm Boy's mind.

Much better.

 

[Borachio]

Any of these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Single_Malts

Just keep trying them all, until you find one you like.

There's a special club for this kind of thing. In fact, more than one.

 

[classical_hero]

Your own piss. A real man starts off with that.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Your own piss. A real man starts off with that.

As usual, you come off more odd than humorous.

 

[classical_hero]

Well it is the Bear Grylls thing to do, the ultimate man.