This past summer, in order to make some room in our basement, I was forced to part with several boxes containing a glorious collection — my empty whisky bottles.
I did all that I could to save them. I pleaded that they were valuable. I argued that we had more than enough room in the basement to preserve them. I offered to display them atop shelves and kitchen cabinets. I fell to my knees and wept that I could use them to make something — like a lamp with several outcroppings ending with one of the bottles and a bulb inside. I urged with great sadness that we could not, we should not, we ought not send them away to such shame.
Sigh.
In a single afternoon, 148 bottles went to the curb only to feed the green dragon on wheels, that is, the garbage truck. And while the tears flowed and the family stood in the driveway, draped in black, with kerchiefs in hand and waving the dear friends onto the next world, I knew that a remnant of their time among us remained and was very much a part of our lives. These vessels would never be forgotten.
The following is a photo record, of sorts, that you would see and know and love as we have seen and known and loved. It is by no means complete, only catechetical.
The Balvenie Vintage Cask 1966 – It’s holding some screwdrivers.
The Balvenie Peated Cask, Aberlour 18, and The Glengoyne 21… I’m not sure what’s inside them, but rest assured, something is.
The Glengoyne 15 — It’s housing our pin- pong balls.
The Glenmorangie 18
Yes, The Glenmorangie 18 is storing necessary fruits and vegetables.
The Dalmore Cigar Malt is home to various knick-knacks, topped off with some sort of electronic toy.
The Toremore 12 is an airsoft weapons cache.
The Balvenie 17 DoubleWood is perfect for safekeeping a nine-year-old girl’s jewelry.
The Glenmorangie Signet keeps all things “Lego” in order.
The Macallan Rare Cask Edition
The Macallan Rare Cask serves just wonderfully for a Barbie slumber party.