Leisure

Golden Oldies

New York’s Vintage-est Booze

Rare old booze. Something about it is just... desirable. Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s the taste. Maybe it’s getting to brag about drinking it. Whatever the case, we found the oldest boozes in town... And okay, it’s probably the bragging.

THE OLDEST WINE: AT TERROIR OR HEARTH

1900 D’Oliveiras Moscatel Reserva

What it is: A fortified wine made by the same family for centuries on a Portuguese island off the coast of Morocco.
When you’ll drink it: When dessert comes; any 113th birthday celebrations you might be planning.
Made before: The Wright brothers’ first flight.

THE OLDEST CHARTREUSE: AT POURING RIBBONS

1941 Eau-de-Vie

What it is: A liqueur with over 130 ingredients distilled by Carthusian monks in France, and the jewel of Pouring Ribbons’ large collection of vintage Chartreuses.
When you’ll drink it: Bastille Day; nightcaps with Marion Cotillard.
Made before: The liberation of Paris.

THE OLDEST GIN: AT EXPERIMENTAL COCKTAIL CLUB

1950 Gordon’s Dry Gin

What it is: Your favorite juniper-spiced export, with six-plus decades of wisdom in the art of being gin.
When you’ll drink it: After 11pm. In the back room. In a cocktail of some type. (Your server will insist.)
Made before: The polio vaccine.

THE OLDEST WHISKEY: AT VINTRY WINE & WHISKEY

1951 Knappogue Castle

What it is: The most-aged Irish whiskey on earth. It was in a barrel for 36 years before they even bottled it (back in 1987).
When you’ll drink it: Upon completion of your epic roman à clef; high-end St. Patrick’s Day parties.
Made before: Color television.

THE OLDEST BEER: AT GRAMERCY TAVERN

1996 George Gale Prize Old Ale

What it is: An English ale whose ABV has, by our watch, increased to about 12% from the 9% on the corked, wax-sealed bottle.
When you’ll drink it: While eating one of the off-menu burgers at the bar; fancy-pants beer pong tourneys.
Made before: Google.