Did a close friend give it to you? Was it someone that you would socialize with? If so, perhaps you could honor the giver with "There is no one that I would want to share this with other than you." Did the giver intend for you to drink it or was it intended as an investment? Is the level of expenditure that the giver enjoys him/herself? And did the giver intend to convey to you that you are, indeed something special and deserve a special gift for a special day?
I would drink it, but I would make it a special occasion. If not sharing it with the giver, then make it something special to you so you could describe what enjoyment it gave you and how much it meant to you.
Interesting range of responses! Sort of says a little about each of us and our individual perspectives on things.
I'm not one for drinking...never really enjoyed the taste of alcohol..but if I did and someone gave this to me? Yep...I'd open and I'd drink it whenever I felt like it~rainy day, feeling good, feeling bad, just because it's Thursday, etc. A lavish gift deserves homage and you can't really enjoy the true nature of the gift if you never taste it.
A client gave to me, not some one I would be drinking with. I am a vodka drinker, the truth is I could not tell a $20 bottle of scotch from this. Deciding to whether to open Christmas day or just put away for years watching the price. Does price of scotch ever drop?
I think saving it and watching it's value rise or fall would be kind of fun. Years from now it might be worth a lot and you could will to your favorite nephew!