Imagine having your carefully chosen whisky on shelves, with aromas of caramel from a Kentucky bourbon, smokey peat from a Scottish Islay, or subtle floral notes from a Japanese malt. It’s a lucrative hobby that millions of people worldwide appreciate.
If you’re a food and drink enthusiast, your passion will always be straightforward because there are limitless avenues you can explore. You can decide either to craft a perfect cocktail or savor exquisite cuisine. That said, one of the most fascinating pursuits that captivates the hearts of many is the whisky collection.
Whether new to whisky collecting or already well-versed in the craft, this article is meant for you. This thrilling guide will teach you all the ins and outs of collecting whisky. Let’s jump into it, and you can explore a wide range of whiskies, including an exquisite 54-year-old single malt whisky that you can get from here: https://www.lochlomondwhiskies.com/products/54-year-old-single-malt-whisky.
How To Start a Whisky Collection
Before buying whisky bottles, it’s of the utmost importance to understand the fundamentals. There are already more than 120 whisky distilleries in Scotland alone, each with a distinct flavor. More bottles from important producers, like Ireland, Japan, and America, should be added to the collection.
Learning about the many steps involved in making whisky—malting, milling, mashing, fermentation, distillation, and maturation—is a smart place to start. Each of those processes affects the unique characteristics of the whisky, such as its color, flavor, and aroma. Once you comprehend this relationship, you will expand your knowledge when it comes to whisky collection.
Sometimes the first step towards starting a whiskey collection is settling on a favorite brand and experimenting with several bottles under that label. Two more approaches to start a collection are to gather bottles from the year you were born or to acquire a single bottle from every distillery, open or closed.
Here are some guidelines to help you get started with your whisky collection:
Do Your Research
If you research whisky in advance, you stand to gain a great deal. Magazines, message boards, forums, plus food and drink articles can all give you a wealth of background knowledge. But in the end, the only way to truly experience your favorite whisky is to taste it. Sample bottles, usually 30 or 50 milliliters, are an excellent way to sample a variety of whiskies when tasting one for the first time without buying a 750-milliliter or 1.5-liter bottle.
Age Doesn’t Matter
As a matter of fact, older whisky does not necessarily equate to superior whisky. Some very good young whiskies less than 10 years old yet extremely valuable exist. Again they are probably less expensive than their older counterparts. Investing in rare or restricted batches of younger wines yields the best long-term rewards.
Have A Budget
A whisky collection can become quite costly, just like any new pastime, especially because you can buy it online whenever you want. In light of this, creating a budget is a smart idea if you want to control your spending.
Get an Adequate Storage Space
Fortunately, whisky is a rather durable spirit, so you won’t need to invest in expensive equipment, unlike wine. However, it’s important to care for your whisky collection properly. It’s always recommended to store your bottles out of direct sunlight and upright. In addition to preventing its cork from degrading too soon, doing this will guarantee that the contents don’t acquire weird tastes.
Since sealed whisky doesn’t spoil, the contents within will be good for virtually forever. Nevertheless, as soon as you pop the cork, it turns into a race against time. Decanters can slow deterioration, although their main purpose is aesthetic rather than practical preservation.
Build Your Whisky Collection
Remember that every bottle of whisky you purchase symbolizes a distinct experience, a fragment of history, and an enduring enthusiasm as you set out to amass your collection. As you delve further into the rich and varied world of whisky, your collection will grow and change to reflect your sophisticated preferences. So celebrate your enthusiasm and allow your whisky collection to grow into a rich repository of tastes, experiences, and anecdotes you may enjoy and tell other whisky lovers.
