How many CLOSED bottles do you have?

[Willie JJ]

I'm honestly not sure, but I reckon the closed bottle count is North of 300.

Restraint is dependent on what has been bought and what is going on. I got a bottle on the way to a tasting last night; the tasting was good, as was the company, so the bottle never saw my front door. Other bottles have been sitting in the house for goodness knows how long. I also have bottles in the house that have never been tried.

Open count has been about 50 recently, but I have a lot of bottles that are near the bottom so a wee session with friends is in order to tidy things up I think. (The low fill is just an excuse for a party as far as I am concerned.) I haven't opened many bottles recently because my backlog of samples is getting out of hand.

If I were you LSD I would try either the Talisker 18 or the Balvenie 15 next.

Cheers

[mikeymad]

I seem to keep around 200 sealed - no matter how many I open... It is crazy that way...

Looks kind of like this:

Aberfeldy 29yo 1974 ( 46%, Cask&Thistle, /294 bottles 74-11.03 )
Aberlour 10yo ( 40%, Brands Development, Trader Joe's collection )
Aberlour 10yo 1993 ( 40%, Duncan Taylor, Trader Joe's collection 1993-2003 )
Aberlour 12yo ( 40%, Original Bottling, old bottling - screw top for Italy in tube )
Aberlour 16yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, Double cask matured, sherry, round tube )
Aberlour 21yo 1970 ( 43%, Original Bottling, 70-91 6789/8000 (Glenlivet Pure highland Malt) in Wood Box )
Aberlour NAS ( 59.5%, Original Bottling, a'bunadh Batch #21 in Box )
Aberlour NAS ( 59.7%, Original Bottling, a'bunadh Batch #18 in Box )
Aberlour NAS ( 59.9%, Original Bottling, a'bunadh Batch #19 in Box )
Aberlour NAS ( 60%, Original Bottling, a'bunadh Batch #9 in Box )
Ardbeg 23yo 1974 ( 54.7%, Original Bottling, Provenance 1974-1997 bottle 915 )
Ardbeg 9yo 1998 ( 54.1%, Original Bottling, "Almost There" D-1998 B-07 3rd Release - Non-Chill-filtered )
Ardbeg NAS ( 54.2%, Original Bottling, Uigeadail (traditional strength), Purchased October '06 - in box )
Arran NAS ( 43%, Original Bottling, The Arran Malt )
Auchentoshan 13yo 1990 ( 46%, Duncan Taylor, Whisky Galore, 1990-04 in red box with window )
Auchentoshan 17yo ( 51%, Original Bottling, Bordeaux Wine Finish /3600 double matured 8years/9years )
Auchroisk 11yo 1993 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, in orange box, Cask MM0406, D1993 B2004, Bourbon/Port "Maverick" )
Balblair 15yo 1990 ( 51.9%, Dewar Rattray, Sherry cask #1146, /78 bottles d-30.04.1990 b05.06.2006 in tube )
Balvenie, The 10yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, Founders Reserve - c2007 in tube )
Banff 20yo 1978 ( 58%, Original Bottling, Italian release 78-99 (vintage malt whisky co.) in box with window )
Banff 23yo 1980 ( 58.6%, Duncan Taylor, Rarest of the Rare 11.80-07.04 Cask 2894 48/221 black label in black box )
Ben Nevis 32yo 1971 ( 45%, Blackadder, /168 Cask 1629 D-23/3/71 B-9/03 non-chill )
Ben Nevis 32yo 1971 ( 45%, Blackadder, /296 Cask 1626 D-23/3/71 B-9/03 non-chill )
Ben Nevis 6yo 1999 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, Bourbon/Port casks, bottled at Bruichladdich 2005, /6000 in metal tube )
Benromach 7yo 1999 ( 43%, Original Bottling, Single Cask for Bev Mo d4/2/1999 bJuly2007 Cask 704 refill sherry Hog )
Blair Athol 30yo 1973 ( 43%, D&M, 10.73-3.04 )
Bowmore 12yo ( 40%, Original Bottling, 2004 edition )
Bowmore 12yo 1991 ( 50%, Douglas Laing, OMC, in box 156 bottles 4.91-2.04 cask ref 1099 )
Bowmore 14yo 1989 ( 46%, Duncan Taylor, Whisky Galore, 1989-03 )
Bowmore 15yo 1988 ( 46%, Douglas Laing, Provenance, single cask 1073 in box 88-03 )
Bowmore 15yo 1989 ( 50%, Douglas Laing, OMC, in box 276 bottles 2.89-3.04 cask ref 905 )
Bowmore 16yo 1987 ( 46%, Duncan Taylor, Whisky Galore, 1987-04 in box with window )
Bowmore 17yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, standard bottling in tube )
Bowmore 18yo ( 40%, Alexander Murray, Trader Joe's )
Bowmore 21yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, standard edition in large box )
Bowmore 22yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, "Moonlight" ceramic bottle in box )
Bowmore 25yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, Ceramic bottle last edition in box )
Bowmore 25yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, standard edition in large box )
Bowmore 25yo 1969 ( 43%, Original Bottling, 1969 in box )
Bowmore 30yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, Ceramic bottle last edition in box )
Bowmore 31yo 1964 ( 49%, Original Bottling, The Black Bowmore 1964-1995 in box number 970:Last edition )
Bowmore 32yo 1968 ( 45.5%, Original Bottling, 1968 in large green box 50th anniversary edition )
Bowmore 33yo 1969 ( 42.5%, Duncan Taylor, Peerless, cask 6085 114/238 11.69-03.03 in box )
Bowmore 35yo 1968 ( 40.6%, Celtic Heartlands, part of the first set #360/722 signed by Jim in Box )
Bowmore 40yo 1966 ( 43.2%, Duncan Taylor, Cask 3312, 47/130, 5.66:5.06, in box )
Bowmore 40yo 1966 ( 43.2%, Duncan Taylor, d:05.66, b:05.06, 47/130, cask 3312 )
Brackla 14yo 1983 ( 58.5%, Scott's, Royal Brackla 83-97 white label )
Brackla 26yo 1976 ( 61.2%, D&M, Royal Brackla Single Cask 10.76-3.03 Sherry wood - Aficionados' Club )
Braeval 26yo 1977 ( 51%, D&M, Braes of Glenlivit 10.77 - 03 )
Bruichladdich 10yo ( 40%, Original Bottling, old bottling (pre-McEwan) )
Bruichladdich 12yo ( 46%, Original Bottling, Spanish Oak cask, first edition, stubby bottle in tube )
Bruichladdich 12yo 1991 ( 46%, Duncan Taylor, Whisky Galore, 1991-04 in box with window )
Bruichladdich 14yo 1986 ( 55.6%, Cadenhead, /216 bottles -10.01 )
Bruichladdich 15yo 1986 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, 2.86-12.01 cask mm2111 in orange box )
Bruichladdich 17yo ( 46%, Original Bottling, XVII short bottle )
Bruichladdich 33yo ( 40.9%, Original Bottling, Legacy V, 06/0157, Metal Tube )
Bruichladdich 35yo 1970 ( 40.1%, Original Bottling, In wood Box with Scroll, 125 Years Of Bruichladdich, d70 b06, 1542/2502 Bourbon/Pinot-Gris - Clos.Jebsal )
Bruichladdich 36yo 1966 ( 43.1%, Duncan Taylor, Peerless, Cask 194 196/216 01.66-08.02 in box )
Bruichladdich 6yo ( 46%, Original Bottling, "First Born", bottle 4/340 and 42 )
Bruichladdich NAS 1994 ( 50%, Original Bottling, in tin, 100 proof, BevMo exclusive )
Bunnahabhain 21yo 1981 ( 50.3%, D&M, 11.81-3.03 Aficionados' Club )
Caol Ila 13yo 1991 ( 58.7%, Andreas Jacobs, Edition 1 2004 )
Caol Ila 15yo 1990 ( 57.9%, D&M, 2.90-05 Connoisseurs' Club )
Caol Ila 9yo 1994 ( 43%, Signatory, The Single Malt Collection 6.9.94-2.3.04 cask 10867 240/372 )
Caperdonich 32yo 1970 ( 51.7%, Duncan Taylor, Peerless, cask 4379 32/161 07.70-08.02 )
Caperdonich 35yo 1968 ( 43%, MacKillop's Choice, #256 cask 813 3.4.68-8.99 )
Caperdonich 35yo 1968 ( 43%, MacKillop's Choice, cask 816 3.1.68-7.99 in Box )
Clynelish 11yo 1992 ( 46%, Duncan Taylor, Whisky Galore, 1992-03 )
Clynelish 29yo 1974 ( 55.6%, Signatory, 2.18.74-8.1.03 cask 2571 )
Convalmore 24yo 1978 ( 59.4%, Rare Malts, 1866/6000 73-Apr03 in Box )
Dailuaine 22yo 1962 ( 46%, Cadenhead, stubby brown glass bottle 11.62-9.85 black label )
Dallas Dhu 24yo 1978 ( 58.3%, Signatory, 02/562 2.21.78-9.17.02 79/158 )
Dalmore 12yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, 1980s bottling )
Dalmore 12yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, Circa 2007 )
Dalmore 18yo 1986 ( 43%, D&M, Oak Casks Jun86-Aug04 Connoisseurs' club )
Dalmore 21yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, In Box )
Dalmore 30yo ( 45%, Original Bottling, Stillman's Dram 5607/ )
Dalmore 30yo 1973 ( 42%, Original Bottling, 3.22.73-03 1226/ in Box Gonzalez Byass special cask finish )
Dalmore NAS ( 43%, Original Bottling, Cigar Malt )
Deanston 12yo ( 40%, Original Bottling, standard bottling with tag )
Dufftown 12yo 1993 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, Boubon/syrah, b: 2005, /3000 )
Dufftown 20yo 1966 ( 46%, Cadenhead, stubby brown glass bottle 3.66-3.86 black label )
Ellenstown 10yo ( 58%, Marshal's Whiskies, Reportedly Ardbeg )
Finlaggan 10yo ( 40%, Vintage Malt Whisky Co, green label with tag )
Finlaggan NAS ( 40%, Vintage Malt Whisky Co, blue label with tag )
Glen Albyn 30yo 1974 ( 43%, D&M, 4.74-04 Aficionados' club bottling )
Glen Elgin 12yo 1991 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, In orange box, Cask MM0410, D1991 B2004, refill sherry )
Glen Grant 29yo 1972 ( 27.3%, Blackadder, b:9.01, d:1.72, / 550, butt 696, Raw Cask )
Glen Grant 30yo 1973 ( 58.8%, Scott's, 73-03 In Box )
Glen Keith 33yo 1971 ( 43%, D&M, 12.71 Aficionados' Club Bottling )
Glen Mhor 22yo 1979 ( 56.6%, D&M, 8.79-4.02 Aficionados' Club bottling )
Glen Mhor 34yo 1966 ( 50%, Douglas Laing, OMC, in box 396 bottles 2.66-7.04 )
Glen Moray 13yo 1992 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, In orange box, Cask MM10023, D1992 B2005, Bourbon/Madeira )
Glen Moray 8yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, tan label )
Glen Ord 8yo 1998 ( 43%, Signatory, Hogshead Cask #3439 Bottle 3/419 d-20.02.1998 b-30.05.2006 in tube )
Glenallachie 18yo 1990 ( 40%, Delhaize, fishing label in Tube from Brussels )
Glenburgie 18yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, Old Bottling In brown box (208 Euros) )
Glencadam 12yo 1991 ( 46%, Duncan Taylor, Whisky Galore, 1991-03 )
Glendronach 13yo 1990 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, cask MM579 1.90-2-05 )
Glendronach 14yo 1990 ( 46%, Duncan Taylor, b-04, brown label, Exclusive bottling for D&M, Battlehill )
Glendronach 24yo 1977 ( 52.1%, Signatory, cask 3696 12.12.77-9.17.02 78/164 )
Glendronach 35yo 1967 ( 42%, Duncan Taylor, cask 5811 285/545 10.67-08.03 )
Glendullan 11yo 1983 ( 43%, Vintage Malt Whisky, 82-94 screw top in box )
Glenfarclas 11yo 1996 ( 46%, Original Bottling, Traverso's cask 685 2/15/1996 B-7/18/2007 )
Glenfarclas 25yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, In blue tube )
Glenfarclas 27yo 1976 ( 50.9%, Original Bottling, 1976 cask# 6160 Sam's bottling 10.76-11.03 /174 )
Glenfarclas 28yo 1974 ( 49.9%, Original Bottling, 1974 cask#10065 Sam's bottling 12.74-11.03 /180 )
Glenfarclas 30yo 1961 ( 43%, Original Bottling, /2500 61-91 )
Glenfarclas 35yo 1968 ( 43%, Original Bottling, 1968 edition brown bottle with gold G icon )
Glenfarclas NAS ( 40%, Original Bottling, Heritage in Square metal container - made for French market )
Glenfarclas NAS ( 60%, Original Bottling, "105" in black metal tube )
Glenfoyle 17yo 1985 ( 40%, Original Bottling, in tube )
Glenglassaugh 27yo 1973 ( 46.8%, Signatory, Stubby Bottle in Red Box 12.17.76-5.18.04 cask #2383 226/257 )
Glenmorangie 10yo ( 57.2%, Original Bottling, Traditional Non-Chill Filtered in box )
Glenmorangie NAS ( 46%, Original Bottling, Nectar D'or, one in box, one without box, sauternes cask extra matured )
Glenrothes 13yo 1990 ( 46%, Signatory, 5.1.90-3.24.04 cask 10986 256/762 un-chillfiltered in metel tube )
Glenrothes 27yo 1973 ( 43%, Original Bottling, 16.3.73-5.7.00 in tube )
Glenrothes 29yo 1974 ( 43%, Original Bottling, Limited Release #7509 22.5.74-17.1.03 with base and cardboard surround )
Glenrothes 35yo 1968 ( 49%, Duncan Taylor, Cask 9970 55/179 06.68-06.03 in box )
Glenrothes 37yo 1957 ( 40%, Gordon&MacPhail, in box unblended pot still )
Glentauchers 12yo 1990 ( 46%, Duncan Taylor, Whisky Galore, 1990-03 )
Glentauchers 27yo 1976 ( 43%, D&M, Aficionados' club bottling 10.76 )
Highland Park 12yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, New bottling )
Highland Park 15yo 1990 ( 52.7%, Original Bottling, Hi-Time, single cask d-1990, b-2006, cask 10140 )
Highland Park 20+yo 1906 ( 20up%, Gloag's Perth, Wax sealed screw top )
Highland Park 21yo 1977 ( 43%, Original Bottling, Bicentenary in tube, #3008 )
Highland Park 34yo 1967 ( 40.3%, Duncan Taylor, Peerless, Cask 8890 02/204 11.67-08.02 )
Highland Park 35yo 1967 ( 40.1%, Celtic Heartlands, part of the first set #360/722 signed by Jim in Box )
Imperial 14yo 1989 ( 46%, Signatory, Cask 409 52/292 02.11.89-14.09.04 un-chillfiltered )
Inchgower 14yo 1989 ( 46%, Cask&Thistle, 89-11.03 /120 not chillfiltered )
Knockando 23yo 1980 ( 47%, Duncan Taylor, Peerless, Cask 1913 104/279 07.80-05.04 in Box )
Ladyburn 27yo 1973 ( 50.4%, William Grant & Sons, 93/3000, Cask 3210, Vintage Single Cask, Bourbon, Wood Box )
Lagavulin 12yo ( 57.7%, Original Bottling, Green box, special reserve, cask strength, b-05 )
Lagavulin 16yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, In Box )
Laphroaig 10yo ( 57.3%, Original Bottling, cask strength in tube, red stripe )
Linkwood 42yo 1939 ( 40%, Gordon & MacPhail, Black and White label )
Littlemill 23yo 1967 ( 46%, Original Bottling, Dunglas - 'The Animals" 1967-1990 cask 3447-050 163/600 Italy Import in box )
Lochside 38yo 1966 ( 45.6%, Celtic Heartlands, 32/157 In black box with notes and special bottle bottled 2005 )
Longmorn 13yo 1990 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, Cask MM30085 3.90-7.03 Bourbon cask Sam's bottling )
Longmorn 14yo 1990 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, Cask MM0405 90-04 Bourbon cask )
Longmorn 15yo 1989 ( 46%, Gordon&MacPhail, Cask 8188 1989-2004 Binny's /375 bottles )
Macallan 10yo ( 40%, Brands Development, Trader Joe's bottle - oak cask )
Macallan 11yo ( 40%, Alexander Murray, Trader Joe's )
Macallan 12yo ( 40%, Original Bottling, Fine Oak new 2004 bottling in box )
Macallan 12yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, "Elegancia", NZ duty free 1/08, blue cardboard box )
Macallan 12yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, New Style, circa 2007 )
Macallan 13yo 1990 ( 40%, Duncan Taylor, 1990-2003 Trader Joe's bottle )
Macallan 13yo 1990 ( 46%, Signatory, 6.19.90-10.2.03 Butt. 11981 352/782 un-chillfiltered in metal tube )
Macallan 14yo ( 40%, Alexander Murray, Trader Joe's )
Macallan 15yo 1984 ( 43%, Original Bottling, 15yo )
Macallan 18yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, Fine Oak new 2004 bottling in box )
Macallan 18yo 1971 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box from Italy )
Macallan 18yo 1980 ( 43%, Original Bottling, one in box one out )
Macallan 18yo 1984 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in tube )
Macallan 18yo 1985 ( 43%, Original Bottling, 1985 )
Macallan 18yo 1986 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in tube, old bottling )
Macallan 18yo 1986 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, in wooden box, mission series, port cask, 755/930, selection 5 )
Macallan 18yo 1987 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box, new bottling )
Macallan 18yo 1987 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, Bourbon/Madeira Enhanced in Madeira cask, /1500 bottles, in tube )
Macallan 18yo 1989 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box, new bottling )
Macallan 22yo 1980 ( 57%, John Milroy, nov80-nov02 bottling 0719 )
Macallan 24yo 1979 ( 54.4%, John Milroy, 79-03 btlg ref C799 )
Macallan 25+yo 1950 ( 43%, Original Bottling, 1950 edition in wooden box with sliding door )
Macallan 25yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box (old crate stile with sliding door) )
Macallan 25yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box (red) )
Macallan 25yo 1972 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, Cask MM2729 11.72-9.98 )
Macallan 26yo 1973 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, cask mm4755 dec73-may00 )
Macallan 26yo 1974 ( 51.3%, Caledonian Selection, Hogshead Cask #7831 d1974 b2001 )
Macallan 28yo ( 55.7%, Inverallan, screw top )
Macallan 29yo 1965 ( 46%, First Cask, Cask 1056 bottle 69 02-25-1965 )
Macallan 30yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, Blue box )
Macallan 34yo 1968 ( 40.2%, Celtic Heartlands, part of the first set #360/722 signed by Jim in Box )
Macallan 35yo 1968 ( 53.6%, Duncan Taylor, Cask 5585 26/119 06.68-06.03 in box )
Macallan 52yo 1946 ( 40%, Original Bottling, The 1946 wood box with scroll and key )
Macallan 9yo 1997 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, Bourbon/Ridge zinfandel, b:2007, /2000 )
Macallan NAS ( 40%, Original Bottling, Travel series - Fifties in box )
Macallan NAS ( 40%, Original Bottling, Travel series - Thirties in box )
Macallan NAS ( 40.6%, Original Bottling, 1876 Replica in box )
Macallan NAS ( 41.7%, Original Bottling, 1841 Replica in box )
Macallan NAS ( 42.7%, Original Bottling, 1861 replica in box )
Macallan NAS ( 57.8%, Original Bottling, Cask Strength red label in box, old bottling )
Macallan NAS ( 58.2%, Original Bottling, Cask Strength red label in box, new bottle c2006 )
MacPhail's 45yo 1938 ( 40%, Gordon & MacPhail, Book of Kells label )
Mannochmore 20yo 1978 ( 58.3%, Scott's, Single Cask 78-98 in Box )
Millburn 26yo 1976 ( 40%, Gordon&MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice 76-02 in Box )
Miltonduff 36yo 1966 ( 41.7%, Douglas Laing, Single Cask 6/184 66-02 in box, Platinum Collection )
Mortlach 12yo 1991 ( 46%, Murray McDavid, Bourbon/Syrah Enhanced in Syrah Guigal Cotes Rotie cask, /1800 bottles, in tube )
Mortlach 17yo 1980 ( 43%, Hart Brothers, 80-97 )
Mortlach 50yo 1936 ( 40%, Gordon & MacPhail, Book of Kells label: in box and decanter )
Mortlach 50yo 1942 ( 40%, Gordon & MacPhail, Book of Kells label: in box and decanter )
Mortlach 60yo 1938 ( 40%, Gordon & MacPhail, crystal bottle )
North Port 23yo 1971 ( 54.7%, Rare Malts, #4278 )
Pittyvaich 25yo 1979 ( 49.4%, Duncan Taylor, Single cask #5637 30/113 04.79-09.04 in box Rarest of the Rare Black label )
Pulteney 18yo ( 59.9%, Original Bottling, Single cask #1521 bottle #71 in wood box )
Rosebank 12yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box )
Rosebank 15yo 1989 ( 60.6%, Andreas Jacobs, Edition 1 2004 )
Springbank 28yo 1974 ( 46%, Original Bottling, Private Bottling cask 1157 2.7.74-2.25.03 191/630 )
Springbank 30yo ( 46%, Original Bottling, Millennium edition 700ml: in box )
Springbank 36yo 1967 ( 41.6%, Duncan Taylor, Rare Auld in Box cask 1940 may67-jul03 Bottle 02/90 )
Springbank 50yo ( 40.5%, Original Bottling, Millennium edition 700ml: in box )
St. Magdalene 21yo 1982 ( 63.5%, Signatory, Cask 2214 312/633 10.82-07.04 black label in box )
St. Magdalene 24yo 1975 ( 49.7%, MacKillop's Choice, Cask 9613 259/320 2.6.75-12.11.99 stubby bottle in box )
St. Magdalene 28yo 1975 ( 45%, Blackadder, Linlithgow /293 Cask #30013 D-6/2/1975 B-09/03 Non Chill )
Strathisla 37yo 1965 ( 43%, MacKillop's Choice, Single cask #3466 12.6.65-6.03 - Tan Label in Box )
Talisker 18yo ( 45.8%, Original Bottling, C2007 )
Talisker 30yo 1976 ( 51.9%, Cadenhead, bottle 2911/2958 d-76, b-06, cask strength, in bow with booklet )
Tamdhu 21yo 1963 ( 46%, Cadenhead, 3.63-7.84, stubby green bottle )
Tamdhu 34yo 1968 ( 40.1%, Duncan Taylor, cask 4104 12/188 06.68-11.02 in box )
Tamnavulin 24yo 1978 ( 55.1%, Signatory, 11.3.78-1.31.03 cask 8066 119/252, D&M )
Teaninich 30yo 1973 ( 43%, Original Bottling, D&M Aficianado's club, d-12.73, b-03 )
Tobermory NAS ( 43%, Original Bottling, Ledaig - Port Finish in Box )
Tomatin 12yo ( 43%, Original Bottling, Black Label in Tube )
Tomatin 38yo 1965 ( 48.4%, Duncan Taylor, cask 1897 43/162 01.65-06.03 )
Tomintoul 32yo 1973 ( 43%, D&M, 02.73-2005, Aficianodo's Club )

[Ganga]

I don't know. Somewhere between 30 and 50. I try to keep things "tidy". 30-40 open; 30-50 sealed. Also try to keep a balance between the various regions.

[Rob B]

A modest 38.

As a newcomer to the delights of malt whisky I have decided that when I find a whisky I like, I buy a couple of replacements as "rainy day" stock before I move on to try something else.

My view is that any bottles in stock will not go off in my lifetime and in time I should have a reasonable cellar to keep me warm in retirement.

[davmix]

Hi,

30 bottles closed , 25 open.

David

[Swedish Chef]

Seventeen. And I second JJ's suggestion to try the Talisker 18 next, bloody good whisky and comperatively cheap.

Also, I have decided not to open any more bottles untill I finish a few of the fifteen opened ones.

[LagaDrinker]

5 open 15 closed

[Kernow]

No closed ones for me, as when i buy another its always one i haven't got so it gets opened to try.

[jazz lover]

600-650 now.

[Liechtenstein]

I feel like the poor guy here:

all 10 bottles to my name are open.

I always enjoy my bottles to the end, then I buy others. When several bottles get near empty at the same time, I blend them together to create diffrent tastes.
(now no one will want to be my friend!)

Uh...why would anyone want to keep a very large number of bottles unopened anyway? What is the point?

[mikeymad]

Don't feel bad Liechtenstein.... We are the ones that spent all our money on booze and are poor now.....

For me I have a lot of sealed bottles because I have not gotten around to drinking them yet... pretty simple.

Cheers,

[DanAir]

I feel like the poor guy here:

all 10 bottles to my name are open.

I always enjoy my bottles to the end, then I buy others. When several bottles get near empty at the same time, I blend them together to create diffrent tastes.
(now no one will want to be my friend!)

Uh...why would anyone want to keep a very large number of bottles unopened anyway? What is the point?

I wouldn't draw any conclusions based on the disturbingly large collections of WillieJJ, MikeyMad and C57 and Jazz Lover. I suspect that they bring up the average considerably. Try measuring the median, I'm sure it's much lower.

I for one rarely have closed bottles.

[shoganai]

I keep all my bottles closed, unless I'm pouring. (rimshot)

But seriously, this sums it up pretty well for me, although my count isn't as impressive as some.

I just buy them because they sound good, but don't drink as fast as I buy
Simple as that really

I've got about 50 right now, almost all Scotch but with a couple bourbon and Canadian. It's a mix of whiskies I've tried, liked and found good deals on, special whiskies that I found an excuse to buy and am looking for another excuse to open, and other random bottles that seemed interesting enough but haven't gotten around to opening.

[borgom]

45 open and 80-90 unopened.
I usually open a bottle when I feel like it. For what ever reason I'll be in a mood to open something from time to time and I'll usually know what I feel like opening.
I have no rule about finishing a bottle of whisky.
I'd suggest your next try the Balvenie 15 or the Elijah Craig 12.

[pkt77242]

I only have 8 unopened bottles and 40+ opened bottles right now. At one point the unopened got as high as 21 but I have opened 13 in the past month.


Sean

[Sherried Malt]

I just buy them because they sound good, but don't drink as fast as I buy
Simple as that really

My situation exactly, thanks to the folks on this site. I got the Rosebank based on C57's rave (a lovely whisky with an even lovelier nose. Thanks, C57!) and now thanks to Ras and Wave, I'm eying the Dailuaine F&F. I fear it's the collecting bug, biting again...

I think I have 100+ unopened.

[pkt77242]

LSD,

I say the Talisker DE, a very sweet Talisker but definitely very good. Also I think the EC 12yo is great for the price. I also agree with the people who say Talisker 18, a classy version of the 10yo. Not as peppery but a tad saltier anda little smoother.

Sean

[Deactivated Member]

As a collector, somewhere just over 300.

[laphroaig10_65]

I'm not a collector, so, at the moment, six opened and eight closed.

Luca

[cathach]

I'm not a collector myself but I would consider myself a prudent hedger of bets against the whims of I.D.L. (Irish Distillers Ltd.). So I'd have a case each of Greenspot and Redbreast against the certainty of future price rises.

Then one each of certain Scotches I've heard of and would like to try. So 15 then in an unopened state. I'll get around to them though.

[Reggaeblues]

I have 1 dram left of OP 12, Bowmore Dawn(mmmmmm!), Glenmo Lasanta, Laphroaig CS, 2 drams left of ...Springbank 21, Woodford Reserve, Talisker 57.

Recently emptied bottles of HP12, Longrow CV(mmmmm!) JW Gold(won't be missed - very disappointing)Glenlivet 15, Glenmo Portwood(old stylee - a longtime favourite. Deserves a funeral...)

and only about 10 open bottles anywhere near half full. so the economy is biting down here...

At least i have most of a Lagavulin 12 2007!

Unopened:

1 "old" Ardbeg 10,
1 Talisker 18(bought months ago "on offer" in Waitrose for £30!! Now waiting for Christmas)
1 Glen Moray "Jim Clark Malt"(buy one from me while there's still some in the cask! I just opened my first CS Nadurra - the Moray is very similar, but younger and friskier!)
1 Glen Moray mountain Oak, one of the most distinctive whiskies I've ever tried.)

One day I'll write a hit and post of MY 400 unopened bottles!!

[LeoDLion]

I have maybe 30 unopen single malts. I am almost a serial drinker- open one and drink it all. But we do have several 'other' alcohol bottles opened like gin, vodka, rum, etc.

[Willie JJ]

I just buy them because they sound good, but don't drink as fast as I buy
Simple as that really

Yes that's just exactly what happens to me. I think I need to start drinking faster.

[lincoln imp]

After selling some etc i only have maybe 20 still to be opened and maybe 25-30 open. I feel a bit of a lightweight now compared to some here

[r900p]

Just opened and poured myself a Glenfarclas 1987/2007 Quarter cask. So thats one less .

But i have about 150 closed, somewhere about 20 open.

Rob

[lincoln imp]

After selling some etc i only have maybe 20 still to be opened and maybe 25-30 open. I feel a bit of a lightweight now compared to some here

Ah but it's the quality that counts, LI, not the quantity!

I also had to get rid of some quality too Nick, but there are a few good bottles lurking around for a rainy day

[BigPapi]

Thought i would join in this thread.

I have about 50 unopened and 10 opened, including a nice Cardhu 12 and the new Ardbeg Renaissance which i'm not overly sure about.

The wife isnt too pleased about the unopened bottles though!

BP

[Willie JJ]

The wife isnt too pleased about the unopened bottles though!

Well for goodness sake don't upset your wife. Rip the top off the bottles and start drinking them.

[MacAttack80]

I don't have any closed bottles as I have very little to no restraint at all. After I purchase a new bottle I usually make my wife drive so I can open the bottle in the car on the way home....if you're picking up what I'm putting down.

[Willie JJ]

After I purchase a new bottle I usually make my wife drive so I can open the bottle in the car on the way home

LOL!

I want to go shopping with you Mac.

[Deactivated Member]

I don't have a count, and it would be difficult to do one as the whisky is all piled on top of itself and some is in a cupboard that is blocked by more bottles, but I guess somewhere in the region of 250-300. I simply buy more than I can drink. That's not about discipline in not opening bottles - it's about lack of discipline in buying them.

[BigPapi]

The wife isnt too pleased about the unopened bottles though!

Well for goodness sake don't upset your wife. Rip the top off the bottles and start drinking them.

Its the lesser of two evils, i can guarentee she would be more upset if I opened them all! Its just the space, they have been evicted from the room they were in to give my soon a bigger bedroom.

[RyanFantastic]

When I first started drinking whisky I was eager to try every bottle I purchased. I quickly amassed a large amount of bottles that were half full, which eventually started to loose their nose and robustness. I ended up pouring a few bottles down the sink after 2 years because they tasted too dull .

Since then I've limited myself to 5-6 bottles opened. It's hard getting rid of the urge to save expensive/rare bottles but I think I've learned my lesson.

I definitely buy bottles faster than I drink them, leaving me now with a modest 38 closed bottles.

[Deactivated Member]

I've had a longstanding ambition to have an inventory of 100 closed bottles, and I'm closing in on that. As soon as I hit it, I'm going to put the silly idea out of my head forever, and have an opening party. I've always tried to have five or six bottles open at a time, but lately it's been creeping up--I have 19 whiskies open, plus 5 calvados/apple brandies, an armagnac, and a couple of odd eaux-de-vie. What I really need to do is forge some sort of order out of the chaos that is Mr Tattie Heid's Midden Heap, so that I can keep better track of what's open and what's not, and be a little more methodical about my daily dram selection. As it is, I really don't believe that 19 figure, which comes from my theoretical inventory. Right now I'm not even sure I could find all those.

[TheTross]

Current count is a very manageable 11. One or two of these are replacements; a few more can be opened at any time. The rest are definitely set aside for special occasions or the distant future, as there are a couple of very hard-to-get bottles in there.