What stage of malt fanaticism are you in?

[jhershauer]

Are you a Single Malt Scotch Fanatic? Check out the description of the 5 stages at http://www.smwhisky.com/smevolve.htm.

I wrote up the details of my mid-level Stage 3 fanaticism in a blog post. Actually, I created my own poll there, but I figured it wouldn't be sporting to simply link to my poll in this forum. Feel free to duplicate your answer there, though.

I'm trying to stop the madness just short of Stage 4.

Thanks,
Jeff

[lohssanami]

I voted Stage 3, but I don't drop $1000 in a single visit. I have made a website about whisky, but I haven't been to Scotland...YET.

[borgom]

Yes it's stage 3 for me too i'm afraid. The comment about closets full of bottles gave me a chuckle.

[dramtastic]

Yes it's stage 3 for me too i'm afraid. The comment about closets full of bottles gave me a chuckle.

Come on borgom, isn't time to came out of the closet?

[borgom]

And abandon my precious whisky? Never!

[dramtastic]

lol amigo

[lockejn]

Firmly in Stage 3.

Haven't been to Scotland, and probably never will. Haven't spent $1000 in one trip to the store - yet.

I do order whisky online, but I ship it to my work address. Whenever we travel I research liquor outlets along the way. Every horizontal surface in my kitchen and dining room that doesn't see daily use is occupied by a whisky bottle. And my closets are empty, but I've got near a dozen un-opened bottles under my desk at work.

[SoMK]

That would be either very late Stage 2 (Connaisseur) or early stage 3.

"Early" because I won't spend $1000 but have been to Scotland several times, and usually bring back bottles from everywhere I go

[johan brugge]

I'm stage 3. I do order online for quiet a while, but I've never been to Scotland (yet). I don't have my own website ( I keep bothering you guys, it's easier ). I definitely have not spent 1000 € or more at once in a liquor store, although some of the bottles I've bought so far are not cheap at all.

[Wub]

I voted enthusiasm (of the connoisseur variety), but perhaps I am a fanatic without the financial resources to express my true nature.

I aspire to be a fanatic.

[scotchdrinker]

I would definitely consider myself a Stage 2 Enthusiast, I am just not sure at what point I am. I don't set limits on myself for how much I will spend But I ahve a knack for finding great SMS under $100 not saying I wouldnt spend more if I found something I wanted. I would consider myself a connoisseur. The only time I hoard a malt is to drink at a later date. I do not buy to sell later for a profit, I buy to drink.

[Ganga]

3, 4 and dreaming of 5.

[jhershauer]

I forgot about the connoisseur vs collector sidebar.

I'm on the connoisseur path, but I don't see the two as mutually exclusive. Life is too short for me to be buying up bottles and not finding out what they taste like. However, if I had the means, I wouldn't mind buying one to drink and one to collect (perhaps to drink later, or to sell at the right price point) when it comes to rare malts.

Of course, even if I did resell a bottle here and there, I would probably just put the money right back into whiskies that I want to drink.

Jeff

[Ganga]

Very much agree with you on the "not mutually exclusive". I know of at least one person who does both.

[lockejn]

I'm definitely in the "connoisseur" camp. I have some impulses to collect, but that's more about having a huge selection (even of malts I'm not fond of) to choose from or to share with guests.

Right?

[johan brugge]

Very much agree with you on the "not mutually exclusive". I know of at least one person who does both.

I do both. 90 % of the bottles I buy are meant to drink but some are too rare or precious so I keep them, just in case.

[Wub]

I have collector-like impulses, and if it was within my means I'd have a huge collection that would be impossible to drink within my lifetime, but I don't think I could ever buy anything that I hadn't tried before without sampling it (even different vintages of the same core expressions). So I'd end up with an enormous collection of open bottles, many with just a dram or two missing. I'm not sure how much of an investment that would be.

[Ryguy]

I actually read your blog the other day Jeff, very nice. I keep tabs through Facebook on your posts, and I enjoy reading them.

After reading it, I'm definitely at Stage 3, and probably quickly approaching Stage 4.

[Ardbeg311]

Stage 2 looking into Stage 3: Enthusiasm "Connoisseur", but I don't hate collectors. Would like to visit Scotland and starting to consider a malt room.

[jhershauer]

Thanks for the kind words, Ryguy!

Maybe we need to start an online support group for those of us in danger of progressing further in the stages than we think we ought to.

It sounds like Wub could use it, too.

Jeff

I actually read your blog the other day Jeff, very nice. I keep tabs through Facebook on your posts, and I enjoy reading them.

After reading it, I'm definitely at Stage 3, and probably quickly approaching Stage 4.

[The Third Dram]

I selected No.3, though I seem to be edging toward No.4 in that I probably now have more than enough whisky stashed away to last me through to my late years.

And I DO purchase whisky to drink it!

[pkt77242]

Definitely in stage 3. I agree with Jeff, we need to start a support group.

Sean

[Ganga]

Some support group. We'd likely have to create newer/deeper stages.

SG#1: "I fell off the wagon today. Bought an Ardbeg 10."
SG#2: "Sorry to hear about that. Next week the Corryvrekn comes out."

[dramtastic]

At this early stage I put down 2.
My obsession is travel.
Fortunately I'll have the opportunity to combine the two in a couple of weeks.

[Holysinner]

Definitely Stage 2: Enthusiasm for me, though if I had the means I'm sure I would quickly move on to 3 or further.

[Wave]

Stage 3: Fanaticism

Though I don't have my own registered whisky related web site and not being married I don't need separate credit card. In the process of planning my sixth Scotland visit (in the last ten years).

After rereading the list again it looks as though I've edged into Stage 4, "The obsessive probably has more whisky stored than he can drink in the remainder of his lifetime". Yep that's me!


Cheers!

[borgom]

OK so who voted for 5? Time to own up! C57 or Jazz i'd wager.

[jhershauer]

I was thinking Wild Scotsman.

OK so who voted for 5? Time to own up! C57 or Jazz i'd wager.

[Reggaeblues]

OK so who voted for 5? Time to own up! C57 or Jazz i'd wager.

I did.

No hope. Whisky is the cure for which there is no disease.

[ClubSmed]

I think I am in mid stage 3, though have ambition of reaching 5!

[Swedish Chef]

I voted enthusiasm (of the connoisseur variety), but perhaps I am a fanatic without the financial resources to express my true nature.

I aspire to be a fanatic.

Couldn't have said it better myself. The only thing that might stop me going fanatic is Mrs. Chef threatening to divorce me. But that might be avoidable with a second and third job.

[Jimmy321]

Hmmm, i may be obsessed

Perhaps i should get help , on second thoughts that's a bad idea how could i live with myself without buying whisky

[Reggaeblues]

I think I am in mid stage 3, though have ambition of reaching 5!

It's only a matter of time...

[Minnesota Malt]

Only stage two for me. Probably will be at that stage for awhile since I'm only 24.

[Rob B]

Stage 2.

I am still very much finding my way and have a long way to go to consider that I might become a connoissuer. There is an element of collector in me, but in the sense of squirrel rather than nut. When I have found a whisky I really like, and if the price is tempting, I will buy a couple of bottles for a rainy day.

I began with the Islays and Islands, finding peat and pepper to be distinctly moorish, but of late I have started to discover the delights of the sherry monsters. I don't think of this as me learing to become a connoisseur, more a case of me being an enthusiastic amateur explorer.

The most I have spent to date on a bottle has been about £50 and although more expensive bottles have found their way into various on line shopping baskets, the nerve has not held.

Were I to stop buying, I have enough whisky salted away to keep me going at current levels of consumption for about 5 years. Given the range of whiskies sitting on the shelves however, I would consider it more a stash than a collection.

So in summary, a stage 2 explorer with squirrel like tendencies.

Rob