My Bourbon Bunker

My whiskey collection currently stands at 193 bottles, including 47 duplicates. I know these figures precisely because a couple weeks ago I counted and logged them all in a spreadsheet, listing the name, proof, age, quantity, price and date purchased. It took a few hours but, hey, that's what hobbies are for and it was an eye-opening experience. I learned several things from this exercise:

1. I may need a separate insurance policy just for the whiskey ;)

2. I like bourbon!!! Almost 80 percent is bourbon followed by 10 percent rye. The remaining 10 percent is substantially American whiskey, with a handful of bottles from Ireland, Scotland and Canada. My goal is to have the best selection of bourbon in a two-hour radius #bourbongoals

3. While about two-thirds of the bottles remain unopened, I intend to sample and share every bottle. I'm not collecting them to sit on a shelf like a trophy or to resell for a profit although I could be convinced to trade for something I don't have.

4. I will not pay above retail for a bottle. I did that once. In Kentucky. I really wanted a bottle of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. I'd never seen it on any shelf. Then when I saw it, I got too excited, and dropped $117 for a bottle! Of course I found it for $75 a day later. And then for $60 a week later. So I pass on all bottles above retail now on the principal of it. A couple months ago I was offered a BTAC Thomas Handy for $150. It retails for $90. I passed. Same for Weller 12. Retail is $35. I passed at $60. There are a lot of great bourbons out there at reasonable prices and I have more than enough already. At some point I hope to come across a few of the harder to find ones, but I'm not going to be part of the bourbon crowd that chases those secondary prices up.

5. The one emotion I have not been able to conquer is FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. I buy many bourbons before I ever try them or I'll buy a backup, or a backup to the backup. Insurance so I don't run out. Or miss out. Old Grand-Dad 114 is rumored to be discontinued. I bought five. Once they're gone, they're gone. I found Weller Antique 107 for the first time in a random store while driving through New York. I bought seven. There's no telling when I'll ever see that one again. Same goes for the only time I saw Elmer T. Lee. I bought four and only because there were only four left on the shelf. They're all delicious bourbons. And since bourbon doesn't go bad, what's the harm in bunkering a few extras? At worse, they will make great party gifts. Who brings wine to someone's house anymore? It's bourbon, baby. BYOB. Bring your own bourbon.