Tips for starting a whisky collection

[nfm2345]

Hi All,

I quite enjoy Islay malts and have decided I would like to start a small collection.

So far, it consists of only 3 bottles:
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Ardbeg Supernova 2010
Suntory Yamazaki 12 year old

From what I have tried so far, my favourites are Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

Was wondering if some more experienced collectors one here have any good hints for starting a collection, e.g. budgets, good price ranges for beginners, solid limited editions to go for, etc.

I really liked the Ardbeg Supernova when I first drank it, so thinking about trying to also get the remaining ones I don't have yet at auction.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Kind regards,

NFM

[Acksboy]

Welcome to the forum NFM!

The difficulty with collecting is that there are so many different options. I would suggest that if you're looking for a reasonably priced collectable and have a strong interest in Islay whiskies, then you should look out for the yearly Feis Ile releases. Several Islay distilleries release so many bottles of these for the Islay Music Festival every year in May and they are usually very much sought after.
You could certainly pick up some bottles which are going for below £100 and if you were interested in selling then you can be sure to get a good price a few years down the line (although as a fellow Islay fan, I would be savouring every drop of the peaty goodness!).

All the best with your collecting

[jwbassman]

Welcome...

Looks like you are off to a pretty good start

I think the key question here is why are you buying/collecting? Followed by define 'small', there is so much whisky available these days that small may very soon become sizeable.

Unless the intention is purely to sell on at a later date to make some money I'd be looking to buy quality drinking drams. You could pick up limited editions, exclusive bottlings, special releases etc but you may pay a premium for these, especially at auction if they are popular, collectable, or unavailable in certain regions.

Talking of Islay I've had some great independent bottlings (Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Ardbeg etc) and a great Lagavulin Distillers Edition too

Buy whisky that you will enjoy drinking in the future

[Samson]

[nfm2345]

Hi All,

thanks for the input - good advice so far. Definitely plan to drink it but also want to build a nice collection of really good Whisky.

Just added two and a half more

The Macallan Fine Oak 12
Glen Grant 18 Year Old Rare Edition
Glen Grant 18 Year Old Rare Edition 3cl Sample

Keep the advice coming!

Kind regards

NFM

[DsChief]

I was in your position about 2 years back. start exploring wide,
find out what you like. You will get a few dogs, I know I did.
When you find a good one, drill deep, it wont be around forever.
I learned my lesson when Benriach 12 "Horizons" &
Glendronach 15 Revival disappeared from the shelves.

Don't be afraid to go out of the mainstream, check out some
that are not on every ones top 5 list.

worth tasting:
Glencadam 10, 15, 21 for me the 15 is the best bang for your
buck

Kilkerran 12
Tobermory 15
Old Pulteney 17
Aultmore 12

[nfm2345]

Which one of these would you recommend the strongest?

I am guessing the Glencadam15?

Thank you!

[sorren]

My advice is ... DONT DO IT !!!

Ok on a serious note..
1. Set your budget and be prepared to smash it soon
2. Buy only whisky you will enjoy drinking one day, even if your intention is to sell
3. Don't set a bottle limit, you will never stick to it..
4. Ardbeg is a good collectible bottle that's why almost everyone else is collecting it too !!
5. Look for limited release bottles.. lagavulin 8yo and any other celebrating the 200th anniversary.
6. It's all about right time and place.. Dome bottled just do incredibly well and others just flip, so be prepared to fail..
Collecting whisky is all about having spare money that you can afford to just spend !! If your budget is limited then just buy bottles to enjoy and if you really like them it a second to put away for another day.. Collections can grow very quickly.. Consider what room you have to store these bottles..
Most of all just enjoy what you do and enjoy the whisky ..

[nfm2345]

amazing tips, thanks Sorren!

[sorren]

I started to collect a few years ago now, my budget was around £50 per bottle this soon moved to £100 then £200 and just continued to rise.. I also set a 50 bottle limit due to space.. this also got smashed and now takes up a full room and more..

[DsChief]

[nfm2345]

Ok, will have a look at those - thank you!

Have extended my collection again slightly :D

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Ardbeg Supernova 2010
Suntory Yamazaki 12 yo
The Macallan Fine Oak 12 yo
Glen Grant 18 yo Rare Edition
Glen Grant 18 yo Rare Edition 3cl Sample
Lagavulin 200th Anniversary 8yo
Lagavulin 200th Anniversary 12yo

Trying to find a Yamazaki 18 too, but unfortunately looks out of my price range

Looking forward to more tips / views for my collection

Thanks all!

Kind regards,

NFM

[bluepeter]

[deadz101]

I found one the best ways to explore what you like is to buy samples, whether thats distiller's samples or the likes of drinks by the dram. I did not get too serious about collecting until after trying to find a bottle for a 40th birthday meet-up with mates a few years ago now. I now buy some to collect but most of the bottles have been purchased with the thought in mind that they are definitely consumable. I've splurged on (probably a bit excessively) one bottle so far with some extra money I had been given, but mostly have saved a bit extra from time to time-I would say Oct-Nov is becoming more popular for new releases than I previously remembered. I recommend to shop around as much as you can as prices really do vary from one place to another.

[WinBase]

Whisky's for drinking IMHO, Im sorry but i cant see the purpose of spending my money buying what will possibly be a great bottle and not enjoying it, which seems rather pointless to me, and having it stuck in a cupboard waiting for 'the day' would drive me insane, but GL anyway