What do you do with that "Perfect Gift"?

I thank them for thinking of me. I decide what to do with the bottle later. If I truly will never drink it, I will probably look for someone to whom to give it.

...and I am cheeky enough that if I get the idea that they may buy me something in advance, I will ask them what they are willing to spend, and then give them a suggestion or two which I would be happy to receive, together with information about where to get it. If the person likes you well enough, he or she will likely be happy to hear about which product will truly please you. I don't mind telling others, "Don't buy me whisky without checking with me first."

@Victor

Quite wise advice. I've actually taken the position with most people that they should not buy me whisky at all. A few people who know my tastes I consider exceptions to that rule. I ended up with a fantastic SMWS bottling of Arran from my in-laws (brother and sister-in law) - occasionally @Nosebleed makes an appearance on Connosr.

In this particular case, the gift came from someone who knew I was a collector but doesn't really know much about my preferences, and it was the best World Whisky of 2015 after all. Given that it is often hard to find (not now) and had often sold out, she considered it a great find, and I didn't want to disabuse her of the notion.

I've thought of doing a head to head with the sample of CRNHR that I previously reviewed, and I have 2 offers already to "take the rest off my hands". But I'm loath to give away gift. And it is a pretty bottle...

I had a patient who died recently (not surprising, I do Palliative Care). We used to have friendly discussions between the relative merits of Tullamore D.E.W. and Writer's Tears. His previous MD had favoured the former and I the latter.

I was asked to drop by the home today as I'd been unable to attend a memorial for him. After a nice visit they gave me a card and a bottle of Writer's Tears. Very touching.

I would not normally reach for WT because it looks chill filters, caramelized and has an ABV of 40% (I'm looking forward to trying the CS version) but I've enjoyed it a couple of times in the past. And I can't see myself returning a special gift like this. So I'll have to get a few friends together on a relaxing day (maybe next hear on the anniversary of his death) and raise a toast to a fine man and his family.

Interesting thread here. I've not been interested in whisky for that long, but I have received a few gifts--mostly from a friend who's also interested, but doesn't like anything peaty, so he tends to give me peated whiskies (partially so he can try them, but not be committed to the whole bottle...).

I do open and drink the stuff, even if it's not my first choice--I'm still relatively new, and all the tastes are learning experiences. Most recently, he picked up a bottle of Connemara peated Irish single malt--it's OK, I find it somewhat similar to the Dalmore 12 he gave me a year ago (payment for a small repair job).

@Nozinan BTW I bought my own bottle of Writers Tears. Between this and the Connemara, and various Jameson's I've had over the years, I've not had the best taste experiences with Irish whiskies--I find them a bit meh. Hmmm....

@Nozinan You must have been given great care to the patient in order for them to give you that bottle , guess I would keep it for the meomry .

Keep it on .

On my birthday, I had most of my friends asking me what whisky I would like. And because this is an expensive "hobby" I just name the distiller instead of pointing out a specific bottling.

@bourbondrinker and? what did you end up with? Did you say the same distiller to each person who asked?

Friday Night. Smaller than usual family dinner with my m other joining us. BBQed lamb.

Trying to decide what to relax with and sip after dinner, I scanned to cabinet and my eyes fell on a bottle I opened almost a year ago with some fellow connosrs: Springbank 12 YO CS Claret wood.

As with the first bottle I tried in 2011, this has opened up beautifully over the past year (though gassed in between pours) and is simply fantastic. A little Peat, little Sweet. And the savoury underlying Springbank signature.

Drink and share it - it's the thought that counts.

Now I see what happened to my original "what are you drinking now" post. Sorry.

This is a tough one, JW Red seems to be gifted a lot. It gets drank by guests mostly.

Although I got lucky and a friend gave me a bottle of Nikka from the Barrel once.