Balance

[New2Whiskey]

How do you balance funds towards spirits? Balance in respects to expenses.

I make only about $400 net a week. I WANT to try all the beautiful spirits in this world. I purchased absinthe overseas after hours of research. I have purchased Bourbon based on online research. And my 2nd bourbon (Buffalo Trace) to me is 'priceless'. It was so enjoyed, so appreciated, so satisfying, its undescribable. I purchased other honory mentions, but at this time, BT was my favorite.

I'm limited in funds. I also enjoy craft brews. So much to explore. So limited an income. How do you balance your spending? Perhaps some posters have more than enough funds for spirits. Unfortunately, I don't. Tell me...do you have a budget for spending on spirits?

[kickert]

I buy one bourbon a month and then I spend between 20-30. If I can get it for 15 or under I don't count it :grin:

Also, any unexpected income I usually split 50/50 on bourbon and savings. (I am a pastor, so a wedding usually means at least one bottle of very nice whiskey!!)

[Mamba]

Can you spare $50/month towards whiskey?

If you can, and your level of consumption isn't too high you can build a very nice collection over the course of a year or two. That's how I got started.

There are many very good bottles that don't cost a fortune. One of my favorite whiskies, bar none, is the Saz Jr that usually costs around $25. Just delicious every time. A couple others that spring to mind that I've personally purchased and "approve" of are Wild Turkey Rye ($20), Elijah Craig 12 ($18), and Old Grand Dad 114 ($25 here in California). A couple other standouts for me that cost a little more are Wild Turkey Rare Breed ($33) and Rock Hill Farms ($40). Other people have their personal favorites as well, but the point I'm trying to make is that you don't need a lot of money to explore American whiskey if you buy smart and pace yourself

I recommend reading a lot on this forum and notice which bottles you see mentioned a lot. Some are expensive but many aren't.

It's been 4 years since I got started and now I have 50+ bottles sitting on my shelves, mostly American whiskey but also some Scotch, a couple Irish, couple tequilas, brandy, rum, absinthe, etc.

One last thing... ask for whiskey whenever people are buying you gifts (Xmas, bdays, etc)

[Thesh]

I just bought a house... My whiskey budget is appallingly low.

[spun_cookie]

I buy less food... sticking to the grain diet

[ILLfarmboy]

How do you balance funds towards spirits? Balance in respects to expenses.

Food comes first. If there is anything I like more than drinking good whiskey it is eating. My Mom is fond of saying; "we brought him home from the hospital and fed him every two hours, he's been eating every two hours since.

I buy whiskey, and wine when I'm flush with cash. I shop at Aldies for my caned veggies, crackers and a few other items. I hit the regular grocery store with a fist full of coupons, buy soda pop only when its on sale, then I hit Sam's Club and buy in bulk. I have one of those Food saver Vacuum packers. Basically just shop smart, and you will find more room in your budget for bourbon, rye, Irish, tequila, whatever trips your trigger.

[kickert]

Some would say an advantage to using food money for bourbon is that it takes less to feel the effects.

[Mamba]

Food comes first. If there is anything I like more than drinking good whiskey it is eating.

Amen. My food budget dwarfs my whiskey spending

[Stu]

Fortunately we spend very little on food, but eat extremely well. We shoot and process our own meat, gather nuts and berries (I probably bushhog a semi truck full of blackberries every year), my wife raises a garden, and we actually cook food rather than buying prepared or semi prepared food. Our biggest spending on food is when we travel. Where we live they have the adage "if it ain't fried, it ain't food"; and we live in a dry county. Consequently, when we travel we seek fine restaurants and I comb liquor stores. Unfortunately I'm not as good at finding "old dustys" as most of you.