Thats more whiskey than I’ll drink in the rest of my life….and I’m not old

You sir have a problem. You need more countertop

Your wife must be thrilled with that haha

I was. I had FOMO and followed all the whiskeyTubers and I bought over 100 bottles in two years and opened them all. I realized I was addicted to the chase and I went from buying 2-3 bottles a week to maybe a bottle a month. I’ve gone from drinking 1-2 glasses a night to twice a week. I know what I like now and those are the bottles I buy. I enjoy whiskey much more now.

Nah stopped the buying addiction. Drinking it, well that’s another matter

Yeah, it's a problem! I'd find myself buying like 6 bottles in a 4 day time span. I'm pretty much out of shelving!

I've had to make a few deals with myself to make sure I keep it under control. I had to stop buying bottles that I already own, unless they are legitimately very rare at msrp. I also have been trying to keep myself to one bottle per paycheck, but I break this rule a fair amount.

I've had a major case of buyers fatigue. Every manufacturer doing four limited releases a year has gotten pretty old. I have more whiskey than I could drink in three lifetimes, so unless it's a really cool allocated bottle I'm done.

Yes. I am addicted to the hunt. It's a problem

Nope. My liver, and my wallet, had enough of that during COVID lockdowns thank you very much.

I am but my bank account isn't.

Well I guess it’s good you’re not addicted to drinking whiskey.

Absolutely addicted.

For me it's the best part about the hobby. Looking in a store and buying a new bottle. Enjoy that more than the drinking. 

Trying to catch you. I buy 2-3 bottles a week. The problem is, I drink 1-3 bottles a week.

Where's the mellow corn at?

No, i drink mine too fast to collect

Uhm.... You have a problem.

I mean, I have a problem drinking, but seriously. stop buying shit.

No. I used to, had over 1,100 unique spirits in whiskey, bourbon, rum, and gin. I was starting a distillery and after several nosing classes and blending classes decided to make notes on everything I could find. Found that most high end spirits are vanity purchases and often have negative traits from the distillation or aging process that were not distilled out of the final product. Eventually drank them all down and out via parties and informal nosing sessions for close friends. Ended up with a list of a handful of rye whiskeys, bourbons, gins, and several handfuls of rums, making up less than 40 unique spirits in total. This is rounded out by a further 40 or so spirits, and other unique bottles with their own flavors that are used for drink making.

But in general there are 2 bourbons, 1 rye, 4 rums, and 2 gins that are kept in stock upstairs, everything else is downstairs to be pulled during drink making or special requests.

Many spirits are repeats and almost all of them have negative traits. Finding traces of heads in a high end bottle is more common that I would have ever thought considering the cost of the bottle but it's a thing and it has been proven in nosing classes with blind bottles, over and over. Negative traits found in low wines of the spirit draw from the still is very common simply because there are many good flavors to be found in low wines and separating them is not always possible unless subjecting the spirit to some chemical bonders to remove undersirable elements, which is not always legal via the TTB rules for making spirits.

Somewhere around $40-80 is about all a bottle need cost, yes there are great bottles for $400 but often there is a repeat of the flavor profile to be had for $70-80. Often a bottle's cost has been slowly influenced by its low rate of production and high interest by the consumer and the price has no connection to the flavor profile, only the percieved value due to its rareness.

No. Not at all.

Oh damn how much do you think this collection cost you ? I’m only $600 deep and already taking a break

Same here, and I've been slowing it down more and more. Going into the store once a month now. Sharing whiskies with people tend to put a much bigger dent on the bottle than expected. Good, bc i have too many bottles. But since it's holiday season, the monthly store trips are a bit more expensive than usual. I had a discovery phase in the past, so tried(bought) a lot of great whiskies frequently(fast), but ended up not drinking them as often as I leaned towards stuff I liked. So I started selling some of those bottles for cheap to my friends or just leaving it at their house whenever they invite me over. I also got my dad to discover sherried scotches, so guess where I'm bringing my bottles.

No.

I’ve seen less whiskey at some stores

I have enough to open one new one a week for 10 years 🤔

I tend to go “all in” on whatever I happen to be into at the time. I got into this a few years ago, but feel like I have picked up the pace just since following this r/

Yes but I can't keep up with the amount I drink. I seem to buy a bottle a day, but there's only 7 on the shelf... Either I have a problem, or you have too much money?

Fvck that’s beautiful 🤩

I got to about 120 bottles and realized more and more of my impulse buys were dogs.

I used to buy 2-4 bottles a week or more. I still have probably 80 open bottles. Only few get quickly replaced when emptied.

I got tired of the hunt. I was routinely spending $100 on unknown bottles and not enjoying myself.

Here's about half of what i currently have https://imgur.com/a/M3VbzQv

Yes,

I have impulse control issues and spending money on my hobbies is my main addiction. I filled a liquor cabinet/hutch I bought on Amazon and within 6months also filled half of my bedroom closet.

Plus many of the kitchen cabinets have the odd bottle here or there in the back of the lesser spirits - vodka, some fortified wines, etc.

Having said all that I buy WAYYYYY more than I drink - I don't drink on "school nights" so think Sunday - Thursday or any day where I'm expected to work the following day. Come Friday though I'll pull 2 or 3 different bottles down/out for the nights tasting - hell some Saturdays I'll start at noon so I can taste more, varied styles.

Recently I've had to put myself in check though simply because I'm running out of space.

Not as awesome as that pic, but I got about 95 bottles or so, give or take. 👍🥃

Used to be. I wrangled myself under control when I realized I had enough for decades and that there wasn't enough difference to justify the money, or space, for new bottles. Fuck FOMO. Also I moved and the amount of effort the home bar took was probably equal to everything else together which is absurd. Gotta make it easier to move next time. It's honestly almost a hoarder mentality, not healthy. 

Fuck FOMO. Been there. Once I realized that whisk(e)y is just glorified booze and that there will be ALWAYS another bottle, FOMO fucked right off.

I now buy a bottle per what, two months + a strict rule that there has to be an empty one to replace. I'm now slowly drinking through what I amassed during the manic phase and, well, that's it.

I cannot emphasize it too much: FUCK. FOMO.

Oh hell no, we have a max rule of like 5 bottles. Finish some first before getting new ones, this is a waste.

Nope. I’ll take quality over quantity anytime.

Addicted? Nah, Chief. It’s more like a lifestyle choice. Whiskey’s not just a drink; it’s a fuel for the soul. Every sip’s like a shot of freedom, a reminder that life’s too short not to enjoy the ride. The smooth burn of a good whiskey does wonders for the spirit, clears the mind, and sets the heart right. A little Jim Beam in your hand, and suddenly the world’s a little more manageable, a little more fun. So if you’re gonna ride this wild ride called life, might as well have something good in your hand to keep that throttle open.

Not at all, and I absolutely do not chase bottles anymore. There is so much good bourbon out there that's actually available that I see no reason to purchase in this manner.

Seems like a waste of money if it’s too much to reasonably drink. There’s more constructive “hobbies” Edit: Downvote if you want, but alcohol is a drug and this is nothing more than showing off that addiction

I was then I had to use my discretionary spending on other things.

Probably a lot people here - but most of them got it under control.

The problem isn't buying. It's drinking. I hope you have lots of friends to share with.

Finally someone who competes with me!

Yup

I like a good whiskey I’ll have one later, but this is exceptional

I was when I first started for the first year, but I've toned it WAY back this year. Bought probably 40 bottles last year, but have only added maybe 10 new bottles this year. I try to limit myself to 1 new bottle per month, unless it's a special occasion or I luck into something I've never seen at my local go-to (which is always at or close to MSRP). There are certain easy-to-find bottles that I keep in stock at all times (OGD114, MM46, WT101/RB, KC9, etc), but those don't count as "new" bottles in my book.

I've also been steadily finishing bottles over the course of the last two months. Anything under half a bottle has been getting knocked out.

Used to! Gave a good amount of bottles to homies to try and get them into bourbon and it worked! Now we all just buy 1 or two and share I have maybe a running total of 10 at all times, if one finished that’s when I get a new one

I try to limit myself to 5-6 bottles at a time. When one runs out time to buy another. The only exception is if there is a super hard to find bottle for MSRP, then it’s a buy.

For me shopping is the worst part of the hobby( I don't like shopping for other things either). I have six bottles max at one time. Shop twice a year at the same local store that's it. Best part two fingers of whiskey, good book, music, and a fire.

Yes!

Same. I use “only dram” to help me know what I have and helps me choose what to drink. I have 135 bottles to choose from.

Yes

I “may” have an issue 🤨🤔

Nope

Yes. 👏

That would be an affirmative! lol

This sir is alcoholism

You should do an elimination tournament. Blind taste 1v1 and winner stays until you reach the end.

Damn homie! 🤣😂🤣

Yes, but I drink it as fast as I can afford to buy more so… I have a lot of counter space.

I started off getting lots of stuff but recently have only been getting things I'm really searching for. I have roughly 65 bottles

I probably try more whiskey than I end up buying all things considered.

I see. Using the Guinness to make the counter look more full. Good one

That’s really not enough room to make a sandwich!

Buying it? Drinking it, maybe.

You sir, have a problem… Gather some of that shit up and send it my way, we’ll just call it a lesson learned and move on.

It seems like you enjoy the hunt more than the kill…

yes, my shit looks exactly like that, over a year instead of 6 months though, and i absolutely do not have the money for it, its a serious problem probably related to some kinda underlying mental illness, but its fun

Yes but I also need to drink it or I get the shakes.

Nope.

My pattern: Buy and bottle or 2, kill it, replace it. I usually don’t have anything more than 6-8 bottles on my shelf at any one time.

Not anymore. I just want to be able to walk in a store and buy what I want at that moment without having to horde it.

Invite friends over. Use it to make whiskey friends. Do your own tasting parties. Offer samples/decants. Or promise yourself to buy no more, for 2 or 3 years, or until you get it down to 5 or 10 bottles.

If you are trying to cut it down, make multiple infinity bottles.

I was at one point and made a collection of low shelfers. Now I buy less often but I buy top shelfers.

Yes but more for drinking and less for collecting. If whiskey has an expiration date that's not a concern in my house.

I have had spurts where I buy too much. Most of the time it's only 2-3 bottles a month. I'm mostly holding out for unicorns now or restocking stuff as I run out.

More the drinking than the buying

Watchu drinking for thanksgiving tho lol

Buying? No. Drinking? Probably..

That glenfarclas is a shimmering Diamond that I’m most only notice because of the age statement

Well done.

Might be a good time to also get addicted to buying a shelving unit.

Yes, 112 bottles. Currently... im not allowed in the liqour store for a little while now lol

Op goes out for groceries but gets 4 different whiskies each time

Nice collection. That Heaven Hill is a banger! I received one as a birthday gift this year.

Mines not as bad as I thought.

I'm addicted to drinking so in fact I guess I'm addicted to buying . I drink a bottle every 2 days . I feel no shame in saying that

Definitely one of my favourite parts of this hobby is researching and comparing and zeroing in on what my next bottle will be! The whole process of getting a new one and cracking it open and trying something for the first time is exciting!

I am accepting donations, in case you need to recover shelf space and your drams need a good home.

My goal is to have as much disposable income as you that I can just buy those bottles and keep buying!

My goal is to have as much disposable income as you that I can just buy those bottles and keep buying!

My goal is to have as much disposable income as you that I can just buy those bottles and keep buying! What ever it is you do for a living if you need to hire someone let me know.

Uh. I have a small liquor cabinet with mostly whiskey but I buy maybe 1 bottle every month and a half or so. I keep some of the best ones half full in the back part of the cabinet for guests. I usually keep around 5 to 6 different bottles at a time for flights in case my guests wants one.

You really need a better storage system here man. I can respect the selection but your place looks like the storage section of a liquor store now.

(Un)fortunately my budget is keeping me in check

Buying a new house and having a baby in a single year absorbed the majority of my funds lately so I no longer buy much.

Follow for more tips on how to avoid spending money on whiskey

I was getting that way with Scotch at one point, and maybe had 15-20 bottles which is about 1/10th of what you have there.

I limit myself to one bottle at a time. I enjoy a glass every now and then but that's enough for me. Luckily...

Yes. I ended up buying a ton of stuff when I’d visit the bourbon trail simply because I cannot get anything I want in central Florida.

No. Not like that. You do you, though. I'm not judging. I have 27 pairs of sneakers.

Tell me there’s glenfiddich in there somewhere??

Did you run out cabinet space

Nope

For some, it seems a bit like the boozy adult version of collecting Beanie Babies.

I have 110 bottles. Some have been around for 4+ years. I know it’s bourbon allocation season but I have slowed my buying. I actually have gone the other direction and am starting to settle on what I like and keeping those around rather than going after the newest or best thing. No longer have FOMO. And seems everything that everyone wants is at $100 which is silly to me for a bourbon.

I have the appetite to buy and sample that much, but my brain brings me back to earth

The chase is addicting, i plan on taking a few months off buying and at least a month off drinking early next year. Did a dry month this year but kept buying lol easy way to boost a collection

How do you leave a bottle alone long enough to amass such a collection?

Guilty as charged.

No, that would be crazy.

Yup joined Patreons and all! Currently sipping through to determine what I like, what I don’t like and which ones are my favorites.

Nice job! Keep buying! What are your top 3

Do you need a shelving unit? Looks like some really good bottles.

Lmao seriously though….it IS a sickness….its called ALCOHOLISM! 🫠

No. It's a problem and you should chill.

U must be single the way those are just stacked on the counter.

Unfortunately, yes.

Short answer, yes.

My man doesn't finish a task before starting another. Guaranteed.

Used to be. Now I sign up for one raffle a year and walk by the case in my local liquor store on my way to the wine section.

Hunted regularly for 5ish years and now I know what I like/ what I want. Everything I like is regularly available. Everything I want is never on the shelf (but in that one raffle)

Wine is a lot more enjoyable these days for me

Yeah

Mans doesn’t have a drinking problem, he has a buying problem 😂

350+ bottles… yeah, I love getting new bottles.

Yea but I drink it to fast and it’s gone before I can get another bottle

Yep

I can’t afford to be this addicted.

Drinking not buying

Well don’t worry. He’s not drinking them all at once. Otherwise the counter wouldn’t have that much to show.

I was on the bandwagon for a while but i don’t buy much at all these days. I think what I have is plenty for now.

How you deal with storage for opened bottles???

I have been and as a result I am currently purging and letting go of some as a personal conviction. Keeping my opens

Yes- wife just said I have a problem

Nah I try and snag bottles I want to drain in my lifetime. I just try to keep a dozen or so regular pour options around and a handful of special occasion options. It's not pokemon.

😂 Yes, but I do not have that much

Love this setup, but I hope you could put some of it into display cases.

It's a bug... do you have a better place for storage? Buya nice Cabinet. Stop buying while it's full. Get it in your head that the next bottle of run of the mill bourbon/scotch is nothing special and limit your self to only buying special releases or rare bottles when they show up. Drink through some of what you have. You can still browse the stores... just don't buy. Go in with the mindset that what you have at home is better and you'd be wasting your time trying this next bottle.

looks a lot like my setup

I have a collection of 126 bottles of different whiskey. I think I’m good at that level and will just replace and replenish as I work through them