30 year old balsamic vinegar

[Oak Smoke]

I’m going gift a friend a bottle of 30 year old balsamic vinegar. I’ve looked on line and the prices are all over the board as well as many brands I’ve never heard of. I need a bit of help from the pro’s here. I’m not worried about spending at least $150.00 I just want to make sure I’m not buying anything less than very good. Little help!

[Sweaty Paul]

No clue how to help. He must be a good friend. I bet it will be delicious! Good luck on the search!

[Mosca]

No help, sorry. I bought a good bottle off Amazon, but that was 8 years ago and it’s not available now.

[Jerod Broussard]

Just buy something fresh and tell them not to open it for 30 years. Problem solved.

[STEbbq]

Check this out. Maybe you can get a membership to yakima ‘a olive oil club.

https://freshpressedoliveoil.com/c/join/home

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/the-pit-mastery-program/misc-or-general-food-discusison/1545822-high-end-vinegar#post1545875

[briano52]

I like Aged Balsamic Vinegar but I had no idea it could go 30 years. So, I Googled 30 year Balsamic. Got lots of buying choices. And, I found out that you get it up to 100 years old! I keep learning new things on AR.

[Panhead John]

I always buy this….free shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235022050670?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D290431%26meid%3D5d7552a33a784c52841bbf92ef2de47b%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D265819428406%26itm%3D235022050670%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimVIDwebV3WithCPCExpansionEmbeddingSearchQuerySemanticBroadMatchSingularityRecallReplaceKnnV4WithVectorDbNsOptHotPlRecallCIICentroidCoviewCPCAuto%26brand%3DRalph%2BLauren&_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A2350220506705d7552a33a784c52841bbf92ef2de47b%7Cenc%3AAQAKAAABYG96wQ16jds4VFcrhy1F3d4mbwZUJI9Fs%252BgdXYAHIzlX2e3YaNh7x%252BEnKA3G%252BCqSl1Xn4McfcWFK1GytmS2qxJ87mtE8Gm3iR1Ja4WBwh0hNHJrJx3Ki5mp04ow4CO7lP%252BooCybZDDU%252BbbSwmg7CbTin%252BBzBzbCYVnbjvyQAHu6--HI4MB7SvJl5IJqlyvomgoLMlgT6qAJzX0SANJhty2e6E0cviTId3SqyXqVdL72qTvbcpCAIYPmvrlwXT%252FRXjR3fDZ5XJnwwmNyjjJb1deScYNsbGsQgzvytXFRX1g2fUzJO1mbz5Gl7RknBW0PSPitSMCDZEzcVyBlv%252FH2lX7ZWn5JOQzeMRofwYreb%252BmXrq7ffyOo%252F3cHT%252BriQYT8GX3BLTOsE8xF6khS1RsE8clAEd9KHCszq4OPbmFJFOCSheRA4GehR0rmvpOCt%252BexMVlVQPy6zdPvLZHEnpnD7IMg%253D%7Campid%3APLP_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&itmmeta=01K1YJJ46NBWYCNPD1KN4G22T2

[58limited]

I usually buy two in order to get the $55.00 discount.

[Carolyn]

Cool Daddy, I guess you drop it like acid. 😎 🌈 🤤

[WI Bubba]

And it's on ebay so it has to be good.

[texastweeter]

Skip the vinegar, go with a single malt.

[Skinsfan1311]

Skip the vinegar, go with a single malt.

This! But a 30 year single malt will cost a tad bit more...

[texastweeter]

Totally worth it

[shify]

Can’t help with brands but you want to make sure you buy something that is marked Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP on the label. The bottles should 100 ml (I think) and be in a teardrop shape. This is the top tier of balsamic. Other labels or bottle shapes are other varietals that are aged less, from other regions or mixed with white wine vinegar and caramel etc.

obviously the best option would be if you had an Italian importer/store that you trust near you that can guide you or at least have you taste some examples so you can discern the difference in brands, ages, etc. but absent that I’d look online for a company that specializes in Italian products

[SheilaAnn]

+1 you are looking for the proper designation language on the bottle.

[Smoke em if you got em]

You want it from Modena Italy, and be sure it has a DOP certification on the label. That guarantees it is the real deal from Modena and that the aging is verified.

[Murdy]

Any chance you have a specialty shop within a reasonable driving distance? I used to go to one where you could taste the various vinegars they had as well as olive oil (actually, they were more oriented toward olive oil, but stocked a lot of vinegar too). The most aged I ever bought was 20 year, and it was very good.

[Oak Smoke]

The only specialty shop near us sells guns. I used to think we were rural before this move. We define rural now. It’s 25 minutes to the local post office and it closes at noon. The trash service we’ve contracted with is Bob’s trash service. I love it but there’s not a chance of a specialty shop near us. I’m going to have to depend on the advice I get here then ordering it on line. That’s my world now.

[Willy]

Try Balsamico with strawberries--a light dip on the trimmed end, not a drizzle.

[SheilaAnn]

Willy last year I made homemade strawberry ice cream with a swirl of balsamic reduction. So good!!

[MBMorgan]

In addition to finding an appropriate vinegar, finding a reputable importer/vendor can be a challenge. We've had good luck with these folks over the years: https://www.olio2go.com

[Oak Smoke]

Thank you Mike.