What stage of malt fanaticism are you in?

[Klas]

Stage 3
I dont shop for $1000 in a single visit, but the other things seems to match up..

[Plastiquehomme]

Stage 2, and with no aspirations to take it any further than that. I think I would, finance permitting, buy a few more bottles than I do now, but not enough to carry me anywhere near Level 3. I don't really have that whole obsessive thing going on. I love malt, but I wouldn't want it to be the driving force of my life and/or wallet.

[Swedish Chef]

You will soon be joining the Dark Side Plastiquehomme, you're just in denial.

[Willie JJ]

3, 4 and dreaming of 5.

Remember that in stage 5 it just says that

'the terminal obsessive may wish to purchase his own distillery'.

On that basis I fear I am in stage 5, only financial constraints prevent the distillery project from being realised.

I suspect that you are closer to stage 5 than you think Ganga.

[Ganga]

I'm living in denial.

[Drammed]

Stage 2 conniosseur bordering on stage 3. I am planning a trip to Scotland and have spent $1000 in 3 weeks if that counts

[pkt77242]

Stage 2 conniosseur bordering on stage 3. I am planning a trip to Scotland and have spent $1000 in 3 weeks if that counts

Drammed, I would say you have entered stage 3.

Sean

[Deactivated Member]

I don't think I've ever gotten past stage 2, really. I've been to Scotland eleven times, and always bring bottles back, but I started going to Scotland before I was into whisky. It's a bit shocking, and maybe a little depressing, to realize that my attitude toward the drink is really fairly healthy (unlike my actual consumption of it).

[Willie JJ]

For those sitting happily in stage 3, it might be a wake up call to note that the following features of stage 3:

He may drop $1000 or more in a single liquor store visit. Cases of whisky begin filling his closets; he may invest in industrial grade shelving to store his malts.

lead rapidly to these features of stage 4:

probably has more whisky stored than he can drink in the remainder of his lifetime. ... Bank accounts are drained, maybe carrying a balance on credit cards or a second (or third) mortgage to finance his malt aquisitions.

The transition is swift one folks. Be careful out there

_________________________________________________________

(Quotes copyright of Dr. Entropy: The Evolution of the Single Malt Fanatic)

[jazz lover]

Stage 4 for me.
At what point does it become Terminal?

[laddie teun]

not to sure about terminal. But it is a very big part of my life. almost daily I enjoy whisky. I visit at least 7 or 8 festivals each year. At least once a year (but often more) i visit scotland. At one of the big festivals in Holland we do guided tours. I'm a member of a few whisky clubs. Together with a couple of friends we own a cask (http://www.bruichladdies.nl)
We organise whisky trips to Scotland (http://www.whiskyreizen.nl) and do nosing and tastings (http://www.nosingandtasting.nl). Also still do a few tastings every year with some good friends. Have been doing that for the last 12 years. I have my own whiskybasement (http://www.teuneneline.nl/whisky/kast.htm) for my 450 whiskies (all open). And this weekend is teh very first edition of Maltstock which I am organising together with a friend of mine.
But terminal...sounds so negative. It's full of (water of) life!!

[jhershauer]

I guess there are two things to be careful about with that:

1. Getting to the point where you've purchased more than you can possibly drink in a lifetime.

2. Attempting to address #1 by altering your drinking habbits.

Jeff

For those sitting happily in stage 3, it might be a wake up call to note that the following features of stage 3:

He may drop $1000 or more in a single liquor store visit. Cases of whisky begin filling his closets; he may invest in industrial grade shelving to store his malts.

lead rapidly to these features of stage 4:

probably has more whisky stored than he can drink in the remainder of his lifetime. ... Bank accounts are drained, maybe carrying a balance on credit cards or a second (or third) mortgage to finance his malt aquisitions.

The transition is swift one folks. Be careful out there

_________________________________________________________

(Quotes copyright of Dr. Entropy: The Evolution of the Single Malt Fanatic)

[laddie teun]

1. Getting to the point where you've purchased more than you can possibly drink in a lifetime.

ah well, whisky is best enjoyed in good company anyway

[jhershauer]

True. Maybe it should say "more than you and your friends can drink in a lifetime."

1. Getting to the point where you've purchased more than you can possibly drink in a lifetime.

ah well, whisky is best enjoyed in good company anyway

[laddie teun]

make more friends
having (to much) whisky probably helps

[Wub]

At what point does it become Terminal?

When it'll be the death of you.

[Glow]

Stage 2 for me. What's alarming is how fast it happened. A year ago I was committed to vodka/tonics with the occasional martini. Now, haven't had either in months and am fantasizing about a trip to Scotland.

How many distillery tours do you think three teenagers will tolerate?

[AdamMY]

I think I am a stage two that wishes to be a stage 3.

[Novice Scotch Fan]

I am pretty much in stage 3 except for dropping $1,000 per visit to the liquor store.

[peatjunkie]

OK people

I am in stage 5

[orangedogofglory]

I put 3 but I think I'm really more of 3.5.

Outstanding 3 Qualifiers:
Plans to go to Scotland were delayed due to work - but it will be done later.

Outstanding 4 Qualifiers:
Will have more than I can drink - just a matter of Balvenie releases.
About to buy my first cask - if I can find what I'm looking for.
Already have the perfect wife who doesn't mind the collection - although she does want it relocated to the one room under my control!

Maybe someday I'll make it to 4. I can have goals, right? And really, I've always wanted to own my own business... so 5 could be an option...

[orangedogofglory]

OK people

I am in stage 5

...dare I ask which distillery?

[Megawatt]

This is funny stuff, and frighteningly true. I decided to put my foot down and limit myself to $100 ($120 max) per month for whisky. Stage 2 for me. No drinking during the week if I can help it.

[dramtastic]

for my 450 whiskies (all open).

Love your style, all open. Not just pretty bottles on shelves!

I am turning out to be a terrible collector, the only place whisky seems to be collecting on a regular basis is my stomach. Had to be a reason why god made brain cells in the billions, cuz i'm destoying them with whisky by the millions.

[jhershauer]

Warning to fellow whisky newcomers. This was my whisky counter for this year's New Year party (and there are several other bottles not out for the party).

Last year, there were 5 bottles.

[dramtastic]

Warning to fellow whisky newcomers. This was my whisky counter for this year's New Year party (and there are several other bottles not out for the party).

Last year, there were 5 bottles.

I was at the wrong party by the looks of that lot jeff!!

[I_SPEY]

Number three for me. I can say I'm a rather enthusiastic >fanatic person, although my wife would say I'm in the fourth stage. (at a certain time even five - don't bather, I've a good life insurance)
But as I once said, live is to short and live is to hard, so...

But the thing I do like most is to encourage younger people for the better (read malt) whiskies(stop,stop, I do know there're wagon loads of nice and great blended whiskies).

And sometimes I can be very obsessive, but who's not

[pmullin]

Stage 2 Connoisseur

Although I have travelled to Scotland for the Spirit of Speyside Festival, membership in a whisky tasting group, a government liquor monopoly and the consequent inability to order online have kept me from getting too carried away

[Knolly]

Definitely full blown stage 3.

However, my wife happened to walk by while I was reading the descriptions and she puts me at entry level stage 4 (which I disagree with!).

[pkt77242]

Warning to fellow whisky newcomers. This was my whisky counter for this year's New Year party (and there are several other bottles not out for the party).

Last year, there were 5 bottles.

I was at the wrong party by the looks of that lot jeff!!

I second that DT.

[dramtastic]

Ok, I am now up to whatever stage is.............

Where you set the alarm on your phone(vibrate so the missus can't hear it), put it close to your body so you can feel it, and then get up some time in the middle of the night( 'cause you know what time the bidding on that whisky finishes) and live bid for some obscure Japanese whisky on an obscure Japanese website. Sometimes last minute bid and counter bid for half an hour or so. Oh and I really can't afford it but am ready to not eat for a few days to do so!

We might call this stage.............I'M A LOST CAUSE!

[mikeymad]

Very mature stage 3.... but probably will stop there.

[johan brugge]

Ok, I am now up to whatever stage is.............

Where you set the alarm on your phone(vibrate so the missus can't hear it), put it close to your body so you can feel it, and then get up some time in the middle of the night( 'cause you know what time the bidding on that whisky finishes) and live bid for some obscure Japanese whisky on an obscure Japanese website. Sometimes last minute bid and counter bid for half an hour or so. Oh and I really can't afford it but am ready to not eat for a few days to do so!

We might call this stage.............I'M A LOST CAUSE!

I think you're off the scale Dramtastic.

[Muskrat Portage]

Somewhat past Stage 4 and would love to own a distillery someday. I luckily have a very supportive Mrs Musky who picks me up a new gem of a whisky whenever she has the opportunity in her travels. Be very, very jealous.

Not willing to wait for whisky festivals, I hold my own tastings from time to time. Yes, I have more whisky than I could drink in my lifetime. Looking forward to invading Scotland this fall.

Muskrat Portage

[The Third Dram]

Yes, I have more whisky than I could drink in my lifetime. Looking forward to invading Scotland this fall.

Getting to that point as well, MP.
Have yourself a great time on the other side of the pond!

(Try to check out Loch Fyne Whiskies in Inveraray if the opportunity presents itself.)