Buddy of mine just bought a bottle of Buchanan's 12yo Blend and we're at a loss at how to get at it. Top came off as expected, but there's what appears to be a small pour spout surrounded by hard plastic. After jamming it with a screwdriver he's managed to get some scotch out, but a very slow rate. Seems we're not the first to have this problem:
Anyone yet mastered this trick and care to enlighten a couple of thirsty simpletons?
I just busted the damn pour thingy out with needlenose pliers. The whisky was worth the effort, though. Good blend!
"Jamming it with a screwdriver" was your second mistake. ;>)
Your first mistake was not recognizing a common valve, used in booze bottles all over the world (but not as yet commonly in the US of A. After filling, this valve is closed. Tipping the bottle up smartly at the first pour starts the flow (sometimes you have to give it a shake) -it's fairly slow and controllable, somewhat like the pour spouts used in bars.
In Cuba, it's traditional to pour a "good luck" splash on the floor before pouring a drink from a new bottle, and this conveniently also sets the valve open for pouring.
You're not really simpletons, just a bit over-zealous! :>) :>) Now that you have destroyed the valve with your "backyard mechanic" technique, you will probably have to crush the rest of the plastic into the bottle, strain the booze through a coffee filter to get rid of the swarf....
Ah well. Good luck!!
Mine worked much better without the slow-pour-thingy.
As far as I know it's only in spain that I've seen that system in Europe, always confusing at first...
Portuguese brandies and some Mexican tequilas too.
A couple of years ago during gin-and-tonic season, I bought a huge bottle of Bombay Sapphire -- 1.75 litres, I think. It had one of those plastic spouts built in. Only one I've seen here in British Columbia, and I've sampled quite a few bottles over the years.
I assume it came with the big bottle either because it's expected to be used in a bartending situation, or because such a big bottle is awkward to handle and you'd spill less than you would without the spout.
bill
Yes indeed -none of those sold here in BC, but I shop at duty-free stores outside of North America on a regular basis, and many bottles have those valves. I'm normally buying the best malts I can afford, and they all have corks of course. ;>)
As a regular visitor to Cuba, I can testify that all those bottles of Ron Anejo coming back home with travellers all have plastic valves.
CB
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