Horrible Halloween Haunted Happening

[Lallans]

I keep my several bottles of scotch on the top shelf in a dark closet, and was rummaging around there yesterday. When I found what I wanted, I thumped the closet door closed and remember hearing a corresponding faint thump inside but didn't think anything of it because there seemed to be nothing that would come to harm from such a sound- but when I went back in later, I found that a bottle of Highland Park 12 yr had fallen off the shelf and onto the carpeting. Not only that, but the cork had popped out and the whiskey had run out. Not only that, but the cardboard gift box that I had kept the bottle in had slightly tipped the bottle so that there was practically nothing left inside!

I have to explain that this wasn't a case of the maid draining off the bottle or anything like that- it had to be a result of the bottle tipping over. My question is: are whiskey bottle corks normally so liable to fly off like that? Thank goodness I don't live in an earthquake zone! But whatever, the house presently has a slightly steeped in Scotch smell, which would be nice if it wasn't so expensive.

[tyger]

Sorry for your loss! Moral of the story: inspect things that go 'thump' in the dark.

[chewse]

Thanks for sharing your tragic story with us Canuck; I feel for your loss.

I inherited my liquor cabinet from my father who acquired it when in Okinawa in 1957. It is a very unique piece with intricate carvings through out. On feature I especially love is in the main “belly” of the cabinet where there is a tray like box which slides out to make the placement of liquor easier. The box also has a lid with round cut outs which secures the Scotch bottles (or other similar bottles) in place.

However, with Highland Park bottles I’ve purchased (and of which I currently have a beautiful 12 yr old bottle I plan to share with my son-in-law in a few weeks when he and my daughter travel from North Carolina to Texas for Thanksgiving) have a non-round shape; the bottle does not fit into round hole lid of the box in the my liquor cabinet. As such my fear is exactly what you had unfortunately experienced!

[Nighthawk]

Ach!! Not good! Highland Park is far and away my favorite Isla! Brings a tear to my eye... especially since all I have to drink right now is Famous Grouse (not that Grouse is bad... it's just not all that great...)

[artificer]

Truly tragic!

Made all the worse being haunted by the spirit of the spilled spirit.

However you could think of it as a REALLY extended 'pour out' for all who aren't around anymore. Which would be especially appropriate, with it being Halloween and all.

ith:

[CMcG]

[EagleJCS]

And you didn't wring out (or at least blot) the carpeting to retrieve the Scotch? What kinda Scot are you anyway??

My condolences on your loss.

Perhaps there was a spirit in need of spirits in your closet.

[Oldhiker]

the angels simply wanted a larger share...

[piperdbh]

Don't strike any matches!

[number17]

If the bottle was standing upright, the cork would have dried and shrunk. That's why wine (corked bottles) are stored on their side.
Andrew