FOR DONUTS,,, pics of the World's Finest Scotch Collection

[Onebadcad]

I could not find the thread in which I advised I would re-post my bar pics, so, hence, thereforth, not withstanding, ergo, a new thread!!

About 1,000 scotches, and anoter 250 bourbons, only about 50% can be displayed in the bar area, the rest are in the wall unit in a spare bedroom, the common liquors are in a cabinet over the kitchen fridge and the wall unit in the living room.
The bulk of the valued scotches are the Macallans, Argbegs, Glenmorangies, Highland Park and The Balvenie, with a few Bruichladdich, Glenlivets, Glenfiddich, Aberlours, Laphroaigs and JWs.

[Onebadcad]

Better bar pic:

[Big bob]

Aren't you afraid your guard dog will fall off his stool?


92255

[Egnalf]

At my bar we drink not collect.

[simpleman68]

Excellent collection!

What I'd give to have another bottle of Highland Park Dark Origins. Reasonably priced but the nose on it as well as mouth feel were outstanding.

Scott

[Onebadcad]

Aren't you afraid your guard dog will fall off his stool?



Nope, Ringo round arse keeps him planted during naps and guard dog sessions.

He knows that if his slacks there will be ZERO beef jerky treats.

[BayouCountry]

I think just one more bottle is needed to round out the collection.

So much whiskey and so little time to try them all. Luckily, my son-in-law keeps updating his collection so I don’t have to buy everything.

[Onebadcad]

At my bar we drink not collect.

At my bar there are three decanters of better-than-average scotch ready to pour.
Also have another 20 or so bottles that have been opened and are ready for their next pour, mostly bourbons.
A section of the bar, where the two wall shelves meet, is called The Hole, The Hole has 70+ bottles I will gladly open given the right occasion.

With that said, I have never opened a bottle worth over $300, I have plenty of lesser ones that hit the spot.
Among my gotos are Ardbeg 10 or Wee Beastie, Glenmorangie 18y, and any The Balvenie under $200.
Laphroaig Lore is one of my favorite dollar-for-tastes pours.
And probably one of the very best value pours is The Balvenie 14y if you are looking for something sweet,,, which I rarely am.

[Onebadcad]

Excellent collection!

What I'd give to have another bottle of Highland Park Dark Origins. Reasonably priced but the nose on it as well as mouth feel were outstanding.

Scott

Highland Park is DAMN good quality.
I enjoy their 12y and 18y.
A real good pour is their limited Special Cask Offerings, I have about 30, actually 60 as all are in duplicate.
Another great offering by Highland Park is their Cask Strength Release, all over 120P, so ice is allowed.

:cert:

[Onebadcad]

I think just one more bottle is needed to round out the collection.

So much whiskey and so little time to try them all. Luckily, my son-in-law keeps updating his collection so I don’t have to buy everything.

Nothing wrong with drinking someone else's liquor!!

[Datawiz]

Very Impressive! :datawiz:

[dvarapala]

At my bar we drink not collect.

Same here, but I'm happy to go visit the collectors anytime. :D

[GTOguy]

I'm drinking $8 per liter Trader Joe's blended Scotch these days and also the Dewar's white label. Both work well on the rocks while viewing old movies. Both are dirt cheap.

[Big bob]

Does it come in a box?:rofl:

[ptindall]

I don't know anything about high end booze, but that looks pretty freaking awesome.

[Egnalf]

Out of pure curiosity, not bashing...so you save all of these bottles. Will you ever drink them, and if not, what happens to them in 25 years or whatever? Are they just a burden to your heirs to move and destroy or give away?

I ask a business associate/friend the same thing, he has some huge amount of expensive wine in his cellar. We go over there and he opens some expensive bottle, but has thousands more, and he is probably close to 70. When do you drink them?

[99 pewtercoupe]

I had some of this on a. Viking river cruise. Never seen it again

[Torqaholic]

Might want to consider building some retainers on those shelves? Surprise earthquake would be a real heartbreaker.

[GTOguy]

Does it come in a box?:rofl:92266

[VatorMan]

That’s a better collection than most high end liquor stores. I’m impressed.

[MikeB]

I agree with PaulT
I don't believe I've ever had scotch.

Not much of a booze drinker, I will have a whiskey with sour soda(squirt) once in a while. Drink Brandy old fashioned too. And, of course a Bloody Mary with a beer chaser at brunches.

Beer drinker here.
Changes weekly.
My stash in the garage:
92267

[donuts]

I could not find the thread in which I advised I would re-post my bar pics, so, hence, thereforth, not withstanding, ergo, a new thread!!

About 1,000 scotches, and anoter 250 bourbons, only about 50% can be displayed in the bar area, the rest are in the wall unit in a spare bedroom, the common liquors are in a cabinet over the kitchen fridge and the wall unit in the living room.
The bulk of the valued scotches are the Macallans, Argbegs, Glenmorangies, Highland Park and The Balvenie, with a few Bruichladdich, Glenlivets, Glenfiddich, Aberlours, Laphroaigs and JWs.

I suppose they’re insured ? I bet the underwriter got a headache ..

[sublime1996525]

As a bourbon fan, I'm a bit envious.

[Mick]

That is an impressive collection!

I don't think I've ever paid more than about $250 for a bottle of liquor, or $120 for a bottle of wine. The trade off is that when my friends, kids, other family, etc. is here, we follow the "there are no sacred cows" mantra. If you see it, and want to open it, go ahead!

I have $50 to $100 bottles of wine in the seller that are 12+ years old, and from what I have read, the California wines of that age are not going to get any better. As a result, I have been starting to purposely open those with even the slightest excuse, because why the **** not? The stuff that is down there that is 5-7 years old that no one is drinking will be 12+ years old soon enough. :shrug:

[sublime1996525]

What is the shelf life on those?

[Onebadcad]

Excellent collection!

What I'd give to have another bottle of Highland Park Dark Origins. Reasonably priced but the nose on it as well as mouth feel were outstanding.

Scott

I have three of them, all unopened.

Highland Park has a great story, on an island, accessible only by ferry, the second northernmost distillery in Scotland.

In a dollar for value comparison Highland Park does very well.

HP is only second to Macallan at auctions,,, nothing beats a Macallan, nothing!!

Their 54-year old is coveted by all collectors:

https://lovescotch.com/products/highland-park-54-year-old-single-malt-scotch-whisky?variant=43309256376501&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1N64lOnnggMVjqFaBR1mbwAqEAQYASABEgIT1vD_BwE

https://lovescotch.com/cdn/shop/files/Highland-Park-54-Year-Old-Single-Malt-Scotch-Whisk-2.png?v=1700805285

[99 pewtercoupe]

What is the shelf life on those?

Unopened and kept in decent climate conditions…indefinite
Opened…about a year

[Onebadcad]

I'm drinking $8 per liter Trader Joe's blended Scotch these days and also the Dewar's white label. Both work well on the rocks while viewing old movies. Both are dirt cheap.

Those who truly enjoy a tasty dram > than those who read the bottle's label.

Akin to wine, you do not have to pay a lot to get a lot!!

[Onebadcad]

Very Impressive! :datawiz:

Thanks, my fault in life is I tend to overdo the things I like.

[Onebadcad]

I don't know anything about high end booze, but that looks pretty freaking awesome.

Not where I thought I would be when I started as a casual hobby just five years ago.
At that time I had a few $40 bottles in the house for guests.

[Onebadcad]

Does it come in a box?:rofl:

Since you brought it up, the value for future sale is much greater when the bottle is accompanied with the box or cylinder it came in.

As you get to $5K and above bottles, the box is very elaborate and designed specifically for that offering.

[Onebadcad]

Out of pure curiosity, not bashing...so you save all of these bottles. Will you ever drink them, and if not, what happens to them in 25 years or whatever? Are they just a burden to your heirs to move and destroy or give away?

I ask a business associate/friend the same thing, he has some huge amount of expensive wine in his cellar. We go over there and he opens some expensive bottle, but has thousands more, and he is probably close to 70. When do you drink them?

Never viewed your comment as a bash, as it is not,,, BTW, I can take a bashing.

I may open a few at a daughter's wedding, or for a special birthday celebrated in my home, but have no plans at this time.

My goal today is to keep adding, I would never sell all or any bottle, as do not need the money.

I hope to give to a grandson, and have one nephew, he is mid 30s, he also collects, and I would gladly leave to him when my days are spent.

Not exactly like cars, but in a few ways they are similar.
If you can add to it, and keep all you buy, and gain great joy in viewing them and telling tales, then the investment was not wasted.

[Datawiz]

Thanks, my fault in life is I tend to overdo the things I like.

Same here. :rofl:

[Onebadcad]

I had some of this on a. Viking river cruise. Never seen it again

In Europe the offerings by scotch distilleries are very different than what is on the shelves of our liquor stores.
I would bet that very same whisky was also sold here by HP, but under a much different label.

Often, what is marketed there is very different that what is marketed here.
This does assist distilleries in increasing their brand desirability, as from the same cask run you have a similar product that is packaged in two unique ways.

Another big difference over there is that ALL bottle sizes are 70cl, a little less than our standard 750ml.
I have never researched why, I would think some dumbarse over there wanted to limit the amount of alcohol in each bottle--I may be off here, but I have never seen a 1.75L offering for any type of booze over there.

Lastly, SIZE DOES MATTER, those who collect and those who invest, prefer the 750ml size sold in THE USA.
I learned the story of this when I was dealing with a trader who owned a store in DC three years ago. He wanted $2,000 for a Macallan Edition One, which was sold for $80 in its initial release in 2015. I told him I had seen two other stores at $1,800 and he told me to ask both stores their size. The other two stores had 70cl, this dood had a 750ml, I paid the $200 more for his, as the auction price as the time was a greater spread.
This bottle is a hard find today, I see it advertised for $3,500+, and most only have the 70cl.

The problem with finding a bottle at a retailer in the net is many purposely do not update and remove desired bottles from their site, as they want you to call, when you call they advise that bottle was sold recently, they only had one, but are very willing to assist you with any other bottles you are looking to add.

[GTOguy]

Unopened and kept in decent climate conditions…indefinite
Opened…about a year

I disagree. If the hooch is 80 proof or better, it doesn't degrade. A guy gave me most of a bottle of J&B Blended Scotch with a 1964 stamp on it and it was just fine. No different from a current bottle I had, except it was 86 proof instead of 80. I've also had plenty of 5-10 year old hard booze that had zero degradation. Wine or liqueur would be another story.

[Onebadcad]

Might want to consider building some retainers on those shelves? Surprise earthquake would be a real heartbreaker.

The AWESOME WIFEY did the design and install.
She is an RN, but would shame almost all craftsman.
The number of brackets is twice the weight load, and each bracket has two anchors, the butterfly ones, that I believe are also double for the actual weight.

About a month ago I had a new roof put on, not one bottle moved one centimeter.

[Onebadcad]

That’s a better collection than most high end liquor stores. I’m impressed.

There are a few very high-end stores I have dealt with, their collections are in the tens of millions $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
I am thankful for what I have, my only goal was not to be larger or better, just wanted to pursue something I knew would be fun.

[Onebadcad]

I agree with PaulT
I don't believe I've ever had scotch.

Not much of a booze drinker, I will have a whiskey with sour soda(squirt) once in a while. Drink Brandy old fashioned too. And, of course a Bloody Mary with a beer chaser at brunches.

Beer drinker here.
Changes weekly.
My stash in the garage:


Pssssst, don't tell anyone, my first love, and still my #1 love, is an ice-cold domestic pilsner or lager!!

[Onebadcad]

I suppose they’re insured ? I bet the underwriter got a headache ..

Not insured, the house is hurricane-proof, in a gated-community that is very safe.
The average idiot thief would probably take the JWBlack and Jack Daniels.

[Onebadcad]

As a bourbon fan, I'm a bit envious.

I enjoy an occasional bourbon, provided the sweet factor is very low.
Balcones bourbons are very good, great value, and some are far from sweet.

[Onebadcad]

That is an impressive collection!

I don't think I've ever paid more than about $250 for a bottle of liquor, or $120 for a bottle of wine. The trade off is that when my friends, kids, other family, etc. is here, we follow the "there are no sacred cows" mantra. If you see it, and want to open it, go ahead!

I have $50 to $100 bottles of wine in the seller that are 12+ years old, and from what I have read, the California wines of that age are not going to get any better. As a result, I have been starting to purposely open those with even the slightest excuse, because why the **** not? The stuff that is down there that is 5-7 years old that no one is drinking will be 12+ years old soon enough. :shrug:

Thanks,,, you are a great host to the family, I hope on occasion they show up with a nice bottle.

[99 pewtercoupe]

I disagree. If the hooch is 80 proof or better, it doesn't degrade. A guy gave me most of a bottle of J&B Blended Scotch with a 1964 stamp on it and it was just fine. No different from a current bottle I had, except it was 86 proof instead of 80. I've also had plenty of 5-10 year old hard booze that had zero degradation. Wine or liqueur would be another story.

See attached
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/4326/does-alcohol-expire.html#Whiskey

While unopened alcohol has an almost-indefinite shelf life, opened liquor does, in fact, expire. They won’t spoil in the same way that milk does, but liquors lose their flavor, coloring, and potency over time, leading to undesirable drinks for your customers. The lifespan of your alcohol bottles is going to depend on the type of liquor, its storage temperature, and light exposure. Most bottles are best if used within 6 months to 2 years after opening.

[Onebadcad]

I disagree. If the hooch is 80 proof or better, it doesn't degrade. A guy gave me most of a bottle of J&B Blended Scotch with a 1964 stamp on it and it was just fine. No different from a current bottle I had, except it was 86 proof instead of 80. I've also had plenty of 5-10 year old hard booze that had zero degradation. Wine or liqueur would be another story.

If I paid for it, I am drinking it!!
Will deal with any fallout the next morning,,,

[Onebadcad]

THANKS to all, greatly appreciated!!

[Mick]

Thanks,,, you are a great host to the family, I hope on occasion they show up with a nice bottle.

My daughter used to work for Gallo. Contrary to popular belief, even though most wine marketed under the "Gallo" brand is pretty shitty, they have some pretty awesome off label stuff. When she worked there, she also toured the Northern California wineries regularly, and knows the good stuff from the crap. She has brought/sent many awesome wines from her adventures there.

None of us really know shit about whiskey, so the $200+ bottles I've bought have all been from reading what folks recommend as a "good value" bottle. I can taste they are a ton better than the $50 bottle, so I enjoy them, but don't claim to have any real knowledge of what "good whiskey" is. :shrug:

See attached
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/4326/does-alcohol-expire.html#Whiskey

While unopened alcohol has an almost-indefinite shelf life, opened liquor does, in fact, expire. They won’t spoil in the same way that milk does, but liquors lose their flavor, coloring, and potency over time, leading to undesirable drinks for your customers. The lifespan of your alcohol bottles is going to depend on the type of liquor, its storage temperature, and light exposure. Most bottles are best if used within 6 months to 2 years after opening.

:iagree:

Once the bottle is opened, additional oxygen is introduced to the environment where the unconsumed whiskey is residing, among other less than desirable repercussions of exposing the liquor to the local environment, for example, exposure to wild yeasts in the atmosphere where you are.

We could get into some chemistry here if people want, my initial training was in chemical engineering but most of my real-world experience is with beer and wine making, so it will be less specific to whiskey, but the chemistry is the same. I have come across a few bottles of partially consumed whiskey that were left by deceased relatives, and had obviously not been touched in decades. Let's just say, the degradation of the liquor was visibly obvious. Things like ineffective resealing of the bottle, poor temperature control, exposure to UV light, etc., can hasten the degradation, and has a few times resulted in a cloudy liquid that I had no interest in consuming. :shrug:

YMMV

[simpleman68]

I have three of them, all unopened.


Well, if you'd ever consider selling one, I'd be on it like cake at a weight watchers meeting. :yum:
Scott

[BADRACR1]

Damn, dude. Well done.

[NoOne]

I disagree. If the hooch is 80 proof or better, it doesn't degrade. A guy gave me most of a bottle of J&B Blended Scotch with a 1964 stamp on it and it was just fine. No different from a current bottle I had, except it was 86 proof instead of 80. I've also had plenty of 5-10 year old hard booze that had zero degradation. Wine or liqueur would be another story.

Once opened the alcohol will start to evaporate.

That will generally smooth things out more than originally intended.

I warn people's all the time go to a bar and have a very high Scotch or bourbon. Something that's $60 an ounce and up.

They enjoy it so much they decide to go buy a bottle and find out the new bottle tastes nothing like the old one.

We recently had the Boss hog number 6 and it was fantastic at $65 pour but the bottle had been on the shelf for 18 months so I know if I bought a new one it wouldn't taste the same.

Wine to me has a shelf life of 6 hours max once opened. We never order a glass unless they told me they just opened it or they have a corvin.

[NoOne]

I enjoy an occasional bourbon, provided the sweet factor is very low.
Balcones bourbons are very good, great value, and some are far from sweet.

Go buy all you can they're no longer bottling their bourbon.

[NoOne]

Not insured, the house is hurricane-proof, in a gated-community that is very safe.
The average idiot thief would probably take the JWBlack and Jack Daniels.

They won't insure it.

I tried The only way they would do it is if the bottles were unopened and never opened.

[Steve_R]

I can be there in ~5 hours. I’ll bring good cigars.

[Swany00]

nice!!!!

[Torqaholic]

The AWESOME WIFEY did the design and install.
She is an RN, but would shame almost all craftsman.
The number of brackets is twice the weight load, and each bracket has two anchors, the butterfly ones, that I believe are also double for the actual weight.

About a month ago I had a new roof put on, not one bottle moved one centimeter.

Looks great. I'm probably just overly cautious from having lived on a ship. First morning I woke up at sea anything that wasn't tied down was laying on the deck. Funniest thing ever :rofl:

[Steve_R]

BTW the Gleneagles hotel lobby bar in Scotland has a MUCH better Scotch collection.

And there’s a small beachfront bar & grill here with over 1200 different whiskeys and Scotches. Whiskey menu is here. (https://sandbarameliaisland.com/whiskey-list/) Come visit, I’ll pay. :seasix:

[Louie Detroit]

I haven’t seen that much paint thinner since the last time I visited the Sherwin Williams warehouse. :)

[NoOne]

THANKS to all, greatly appreciated!!

I want to know how your Balvenie 17 is.

The last 3 bottles I've had, all bought around the same time, were all crap, nothing like before they decided to stop bottling it.

I just got the 19 French Oak and didn't care for it, especially for the price.

[Onebadcad]

Go buy all you can they're no longer bottling their bourbon.

Damn, DNK Diageo bought them, I hope their product and product line remains unchanged.
Not a bad pour for around $60, last party I had the guests CRUSHED two of their bottles.

[Onebadcad]

BTW the Gleneagles hotel lobby bar in Scotland has a MUCH better Scotch collection.

And there’s a small beachfront bar & grill here with over 1200 different whiskeys and Scotches. Whiskey menu is here. (https://sandbarameliaisland.com/whiskey-list/) Come visit, I’ll pay. :seasix:

They all had a HUGE headstart on me, I enjoy playing catch up!!

[Onebadcad]

I want to know how your Balvenie 17 is.

The last 3 bottles I've had, all bought around the same time, were all crap, nothing like before they decided to stop bottling it.

I just got the 19 French Oak and didn't care for it, especially for the price.

The 17 DW is very nice, and gone about two years ago, I have others unopened.

I do not remember much, other than a nice taste different from my favored peat monsters. It was smooth, not a big bite, pleasant is a good word.

I have four French Oak 16y, have yet to open one.

Need to buy a couple of 19y for my collection.

I like going to the 14y Caribbean, as a very good value, and very nice respite from oaky / peaty.

Still waiting on them to release the 1509 Batch #9 so they can finish out the set.

[99 pewtercoupe]

BTW the Gleneagles hotel lobby bar in Scotland has a MUCH better Scotch collection.

And there’s a small beachfront bar & grill here with over 1200 different whiskeys and Scotches. Whiskey menu is here. (https://sandbarameliaisland.com/whiskey-list/) Come visit, I’ll pay. :seasix:

Second this…the lobby bar at Glen Eagles has the most amazing collection of scotch that you will ever see. Some truly high end stuff.

[LATB]

Pretty serious collection of booze. I don’t drink so I honestly can’t appreciate it. Appears to be worth thousands, maybe 6-figs?

[VatorMan]

Pretty serious collection of booze. I don’t drink so I honestly can’t appreciate it. Appears to be worth thousands, maybe 6-figs?

Well into 6 figures. If I knew in the 90s what scotch would become, I’d have bought every bottle of 18,21 and 25 YO Macallen I could lay my hands on. Scotch prices now are insane.

[LATB]

Well into 6 figures. If I knew in the 90s what scotch would become, I’d have bought every bottle of 18,21 and 25 YO Macallen I could lay my hands on. Scotch prices now are insane.

Sold!

[dvarapala]

The 17 DW is very nice, and gone about two years ago, I have others unopened.

I do not remember much, other than a nice taste different from my favored peat monsters. It was smooth, not a big bite, pleasant is a good word.

I have four French Oak 16y, have yet to open one.

Need to buy a couple of 19y for my collection.

I like going to the 14y Caribbean, as a very good value, and very nice respite from oaky / peaty.

Still waiting on them to release the 1509 Batch #9 so they can finish out the set.

Ah, but do you have the complete Game of Thrones set? :waiting:

[NoOne]

Pretty serious collection of booze. I don’t drink so I honestly can’t appreciate it. Appears to be worth thousands, maybe 6-figs?

Might be close.

[Dan47]

:yesnod:

[NoOne]

Ah, but do you have the complete Game of Thrones set? :waiting:

Most were not great and it's hard as they were to get here in the US at the duty freeze from Canada they had a packaged up in gift baskets. I think it was 430 Canadian for the entire set which was a good deal considering what they sold for here.

And the true complete set would include the three Johnny walkers.

[Onebadcad]

Ah, but do you have the complete Game of Thrones set? :waiting:

In duplicate!!
The original set was eight, which including the black cylinder Oban.
Then a ninth bottle came out later, Mortlach, in gold cylinder, I have three of those.

[Onebadcad]

Well into 6 figures. If I knew in the 90s what scotch would become, I’d have bought every bottle of 18,21 and 25 YO Macallen I could lay my hands on. Scotch prices now are insane.

I would estimate I have spent $350+K.
I have no desire to sell any bottles, if I sold someone would have to take the entire collection, or at least 50% of my estimated value.
As of today, I would estimate $500+K to buy all the bottles I have, many of those I have are very. very tough to buy, some rate ones may be found at auction, and some would have to be sourced through a broker, or liquor store owner.

[Onebadcad]

Most were not great and it's hard as they were to get here in the US at the duty freeze from Canada they had a packaged up in gift baskets. I think it was 430 Canadian for the entire set which was a good deal considering what they sold for here.

And the true complete set would include the three Johnny walkers.

I also have multiples of the three JWs, one was in white and the other two in brown.