While helping my inlaws move this week, we came across this unusual item: a box containing two ampoules of Gogotine Scotch whisky, packed in Paris who knows how long ago. Our first reaction was, “what the…” quickly followed by “Huh. Do you think that’s safe to drink?” Of course, we’re afraid to find out. Anyone know?
The ampoules are sealed glass on both ends, and the box comes with a little glass cutter. I’m not entirely convinced as far as the safety of this – a little broken glass in your Scotch? Hmmm. The box is a bit worse for wear – it’s been living in a pantry cupboard.
The exciting thing is that we have no idea how old this stuff is. The box was retrieved when my husband’s grandparents moved out of their house in the early eighties, but we don’t know when it might have been purchased.
Good mystery, eh? Anyone have any idea whether it might be any good or not? Is it worth selling/drinking/throwing away?
Normally I would say, “if in doubt, swill it.” Two years ago on the 4th of July I took a very large knife (no sword available) and ceremoniously in an oh so French manner, lopped off the corked end of a bottle of Champagne. The guests were aghast that I was endangering them with potential glass shards in their mimosa. Practically had to drink an entire bottle myself to show them there was no need to fret. I had a nice nap that afternoon.
If cut at an angle, I think you’ll be safe. If still in doubt… let me try it first
After some research, I’ve found that the approved method of opening a glass ampule is to score it first (hence the glass cutting saw) to weaken the glass of the neck, then just snapping the end off (I did see a recommendation of wrapping a paper towel around the ampule to protect against accidental shards of broken glass. Will we get up the nerve to actually open one? We’ll see…
A friend just gave me a carton containing 10 of the same size ampoules. it appears that one end has a slight score to perhaps snap the end off. no glass cutter in box but a sheet containing uses, etc in french. anyone know how to read french? maybe I could e-mail it for translation!
Thanks for the info sheet!
Translation, per my husband:
Gogotine
Make and model trademarked
By PAUL PACINI, creator of “Whisky à gogo”
Gogotine is a strong probiotic extract of the fermentation liquors of
“Pacinillus scotchiensis” (made up bacteria name, based on Paul Pacini’s
name).
INDICATIONS
The strong hallucinatory and vasodilator properties of GOGOTINE (43 proof
Scotch whisky), doubled with its antispasmodic and diuretic activity, is a
particularly useful agent in the treatment of simple or complex lack of
muscle tone.
DOSAGE
Dosage is variable depending on individual; the preferred dose is about 2
ampoules at a time before or after meals. Carefully follow the advice of
your usual bartender.
Drink accompanied by aqua simplex (still water?), aqua gazeata (sparkling
water?) or cocatus colatus (Coca Cola).
COUNTER-INDICATIONS
This product is not recommended for those before puberty or post-menopause.
ELIMINATION
Gogotine is usually eliminated by the kidneys within three hours of
ingesting.
PRESENTATION
20 cm3 drinkable ampoules; 750 cm3 vials at your usual grocer’s.
In barrels at the producer’s.
In tanker trucks on demand.
Gogotine is not reimbursed by Social Security.
WARNING ! FOR ORAL USE ONLY
This is a creation of
Paul PACINI
Who is pleased to present you with whisky in this humorous form.
Perhaps we’ll let you open one and try it out…
How cool! Definitely send us the info sheet (I sent you an email). And let us know if you open one up to try!