Average # of bottles in your bunker?

[b1gcountry]

I just moved all my rifles out of my gun safe to make room for my whiskey.

[Harry in WashDC]

This thread's been up since, what, Wednesday?  Took me since that night to find where all the parts of my "bunker" are.  Felt like Ray Milland in 'Lost Weekend' although I've never stashed a bottle in a light fixture; surprised myself with where some of those bottles have been stashed, and I'm not sure I found them all, but I love surprises so the next time I go looking for a Phillips #2 screw driver  . . .

Like TT, Steve TBT, tans, and Paddy, and some others posted, I have too many to count but not enough to last 'til the end of time.  And I love every one of them.

[Paddy]

My bunker is my safety net... in case the shelves go empty. 

In case of the apocalypse, I should be good for 10 years. 

[petrel800]

My thought is that none of us started out with the mentality of building a bunker. It just kind of happens as you run into stuff, sometimes it grows faster than you can drink it. Barrel purchases run up the total quickly as well. I wouldn't focus on building a bunker, enjoy yourself and if it happens great if not, no worries, there is a wealth of good stuff on the shelves at any given time in this day and age.

Also remember this, only a small select group of the public will marvel at your collection of bourbon. Most will just think your a raging alcoholic. Ha!

[fishnbowljoe]

Ahhhhhh, "the bunker".  Reading the posts here brought a knowing smile to my face. Some of them sound all too familiar. Here's a very quick account of my journey.  So far. 

When I first got into this, my bunker consisted of three bottles. I didn't even need a shelf for my stuff.  Fast forward just a few years. I had amassed 200+ bottles in the bunker, and over 30 open. The huge hutch/server I bought couldn't even hold everything. "Whoa Nellie!" Fast forward again a few more years. My collection now fits in my hutch/server, and I usually have 12 or less bottles open. Whewww, that was fast. Eight years pared down to a single paragraph. That's a record for me. 

It's been a while since I went through my bunker and updated my inventory spreadsheet. FWIW, we started a bathroom remodel back in September, and just put the finishing touches on it a week or so ago. My room was the holding/staging area for tools, fixtures, and what not during that time, and I barely had access to my cabinet. Everything's all put away know, and all I have to do is a more thorough cleaning. I'll probably wait to do that until after the holidays. At least my room is looking a little better now, which prompted my wife to say, "Wow, there is a floor in your room."  My cabinet is cleaned up a little, and I did an inventory last night.

Here's a breakdown of what I have.  

Total bottles-119   Open bottles-9  Bunkered-110  I pulled 26 "special" bottles from my bunker and they are stored elsewhere.

Of my 119 bottles, everything is 750's except 13-200's/375's, 5-liters, and 4-1.75's. I have 5 bottles that aren't bourbons, 55 are wheaters, and 33 are BIB's. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. At least for now.

Cheers! Joe

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

[Thig]

I have around 100 in the bunker and about 5 or 6 open upstairs at any time. 

[Special Reserve]

I probably have a lifetime supply in the bunker.  This means that I don't drink enough and at my current rate of consumption, the odds of me living long enough to consume it all are poor.

Now after I retire,  may drink more and then I may be able consume it.  My SIL like bourbon so someday it may be a good day for hm.

[atbat82]

I've been hoarding a bit recently. I really like the orange caps on the OGD BiB, so I've picked up 6 bottles in the last month or so when I see them at a good price. I've also become (maybe irrationally) concerned about the EC12 age statement, so I picked up 5 or 6 of those as well. Add to that some other random stuff and I'm up to about 55 bottles in the bunker and 12 or so opened. At that rate I drink, that will last a long time. 

[jeffrey r]

26 minutes ago, atbat82 said:

I've been hoarding a bit recently. I really like the orange caps on the OGD BiB, so I've picked up 6 bottles in the last month or so when I see them at a good price. I've also become (maybe irrationally) concerned about the EC12 age statement, so I picked up 5 or 6 of those as well. Add to that some other random stuff and I'm up to about 55 bottles in the bunker and 12 or so opened. At that rate I drink, that will last a long time. 

I can see that the force is strong in you.  This is just the beginning...Next it's the stash of Weller 12 you come across.  Then it's a few Rock Hill Farms that you stumble upon.  Then you see two ECBP's.  And then...  Well, you get the point.  As I can attest to, it really does add up, but at least you get some great bourbon in return.

[atbat82]

11 minutes ago, jeffrey r said:

I can see that the force is strong in you.  This is just the beginning...Next it's the stash of Weller 12 you come across.  Then it's a few Rock Hill Farms that you stumble upon.  Then you see two ECBP's.  And then...  Well, you get the point.  As I can attest to, it really does add up, but at least you get some great bourbon in return.

Funny you mention that... I bought a RHF a couple weeks ago when I spotted one for 49.99. I also order online (and overpaid) for 2 ECBP. 

I've still never seen a W12 in the wild. I'm convinced it doesn't exist, just a big trick you guys play on unsuspecting noobs.  

Edited December 13, 2015 by atbat82

[mbroo5880i]

I consider my bunker to be all bottles on hand. I believe the largest my bunker has ever been is around 40 bottles. I have never felt the need to stockpile since many of my favorites - FRSB, EWSB, Blanton's, Larceny, OGD - are readily available.  Sure, I really like OWA, WL12, etc. etc. However, even if I walked into my local store on Monday and saw 6 bottles of WL12, I doubt I would pick up more than a couple of bottles since I know that others would probably appreciate finding a bottle or two.  I can always find something I like.

I also try to limit the number of open bottles. I am not sure why.  It is just a preference. I currently have 31 bottles of bourbon with 9 open.  I plan to add another 5 or so in the next week or two.  I will work that down to close to 30 and then add more.  Of my 31 bottles, 22 would be considered allocated or the last of its kind (e.g., BTAC or a single barrel).

[GAbiker]

Just did a quick count, 29 open bottles (if you don't count samples...43 of those), and 82 unopened.   Of the unopened 30 are 200 or 375ml tax stamp dusties, 12 tax stamp 750's and 3 tax stamp handles.    The other 35 are a mix of hard to find/allocated/LE's.

I've really been cutting down on my purchases recently.  If I come across LE's and I've enjoyed them before, I'll pick them up.  But I don't go searching for them anymore. I will admit that DO dusty hunt....for 3 reasons.   It's a great excuse for me to get on my Harley and ride all over, I get to meet some cool people and I really enjoy tasting bourbons of my youth.

 

 

[RiverRat]

Somewheres 'round a hunerd er so.  Goes up, goes down, dun worry too much 'bout countin'  ::hic::

[starhopper]

I've been in this "hobby" for just under three months now - I have 38 bottles in my "bunker"

[flahute]

11 hours ago, starhopper said:

I've been in this "hobby" for just under three months now - I have 38 bottles in my "bunker"

Sounds about right.

[starhopper]

8 hours ago, flahute said:

Sounds about right.

That's what I was afraid of!

[Enoch]

I read years ago that the DVD industry considered 6 DVDs the break point. Once you had 6 you considered yourself a collector and would continue to buy more.

I wonder what the bourbon break point is. When I started in 2009, I never thought I would build up a bunker. But once I got the idea that some bourbons may not be readily available again (mainly  dusties) I started building a bunker. First the floor of a closet. Then the whole closet with shelves. Now a second closet. 

Edited December 15, 2015 by Enoch

[Louisiana]

I've been drinking whiskey for years, but started the "Bunker" earlier this year.

Quality was my main focus on the bourbon journey. I'm not a collector of every different batch. I find one that hits the sweet spot and buy that batch only!

Fortunately no one had swept my areas and I was able to accumulate quiet a bit of very good whiskey from the 90's to current.

Now only LE's or dusties go into the bunker. I actually drink them though. This helps me decide whether I want more or not. Even if it's hard to get.

Can one ever have enough? Not sure? But I have left a lot of stuff on the shelves lately and am glad I did. I have a buy on spot for certain bottles like everyone else, but the list is very short!

I have a few hundred bottles give or take. About 8 are open. It was about 20, but some buddies helped me out!

 

 

[SebastianLloyd]

My bunker is more like a closet shelf (getting full tho, I'm resorting to putting bottles on top of bottles), and I'm only around 20. Bourbons, craft Canadian whiskeys (yes they exist :p) and a few ryes.

[SebastianLloyd]

On 12/12/2015, 7:19:20, mbroo5880i said:

I also try to limit the number of open bottles. I am not sure why.  It is just a preference.

I do the same, but I'm WAY lower, usually only having 3 bottles opened (right now I only have 1, but I haven't drank anything in a week with my snotty cold). 

[tanstaafl2]

On ‎12‎/‎15‎/‎2015‎ ‎12‎:‎22‎:‎30‎, Louisiana said:

I have a few hundred bottles give or take. About 8 are open. It was about 20, but some buddies helped me out!

Something is wrong with that ratio! I have a few hundred bottles and about 8 of them are closed...

Edited December 17, 2015 by tanstaafl2

[Hungry hobbit]

Watch out gentlemen, I'm catching up to you!  Although I'm not sure if that's even a good thing!  

[Heashfus]

23 minutes ago, Hungry hobbit said:

Watch out gentlemen, I'm catching up to you!  Although I'm not sure if that's even a good thing!  

Haha Hobbit! 

[White Dog]

About 50 open with another 75 unopened.

[Louisiana]

I did have a lot more open, but started drinking them down.

Multiples of very good to great whiskies fill up my bunker.

Sounds like you have more of a bar Tanstaffl2 and not much of a bunker. 

I have a good buddy that lives in Georgia. Sounds like we need to come by your place!