There is nothing more impressive than a good whisky collection. There is just something inspiring about it. A good collection is going to grow organically over time, but there is no reason why you can't put some thought and planning into it.
What tips should you follow to start a whisky collection and what mistakes should you avoid?
First and foremost, you should buy what you like and not what other people like. It is your collection, so it should be a reflection of your tastes and personality. It is very hard to find bad whisky, so don't worry about what other people are going to say.
Once you have a few core bottles of tastes you like, you can then start to play around and experiment and move into funkier territory. Whether it's blended or single, whether it's different years, there are a multitude of choices out there.
If you have the chance to try new things, you should always take the opportunity. Expanding your taste is a great way to expand your collection.
Having a number of different bottles open at once isn’t a problem. It’s not like wine, but if there is a little bit in the bottle, there is the chance of oxidization. So don’t save the last bit in your favorite bottle.
You should always be on the lookout for sales. Subscribing to mailing lists is a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on great deals. Also be on the lookout for auctions where people are selling stuff cheaply. You can find great value there.
A whisky collection isn’t to be looked at – it's not a museum exhibit, it’s there to be drunk. This means that you will constantly have to restock. You can have your core two or three bottles that are always present and you can complement these with another one or two that you rotate.
Saving an exceptional bottle for a special occasion like a birthday, wedding or the like is fine, but that is one bottle. With the other bottles in your collection, you should have a regular time for drinking otherwise you will find that they are just sitting there. Forget about what you have in your whisky collection, nothing screams amateur more than a collection of bottles that are covered in dust.
If it wasn’t obvious enough, you shouldn’t keep your whisky in a place where it can be exposed to direct sunlight. Put it in a place where it can be kept at a nice room temperature.
There is no better way to have your flask constantly filled than a well-stocked whisky collection. The flask is a great way to become acquainted with new types of whisky.
