65% of Americans of legal drinking age drink alcohol, but a smaller number collect it. Whether it’s for personal enjoyment or entertaining guests, it can be fun to find those bottles and stock your liquor cabinet with them.

If you’re only starting out on this journey though, it can be difficult to determine which are worth your time and which can be left in the shop. You don’t have an unlimited budget to work with, after all.

Want to be smart with your home bar? Then keep reading to find out how you can start a classy liquor collection.

Do Some Research First

If you’re not already familiar with drinking alcohol, then you’ll have to educate yourself about the different types of liquor, ranging from whiskey, vodka, and rum, to tequila, gin, and brandy.

Even if you’re already a seasoned drinker, it can still be useful to read up on these alcohols, as you’d be surprised about what you don’t know. For example, you can enrich your knowledge about their production methods, regions of origin, flavor profiles, and notable brands you should keep an eye out for.

Starting your research online is always a good first step. But you can also refer to physical books, then graduate to tastings for a first-hand experience at seeing which liquors you like (and dislike).

Set a Budget

Now that you know which liquors you’re after, you can set a budget before you go out searching for the perfect bottles. This serves two purposes.

One, it’ll help you manage your expectations. If your budget is $100 max for a liquor bottle, then you know to filter out everything past that number, so you don’t even consider those outside your budget.

The more important thing is, you won’t go crazy and sink a ton of money into your collection. It can be fun to search for and purchase liquor bottles, but it can quickly get out of hand if you don’t have a firm budget in mind.

Define Your Focus

After setting your budget, you’re ready to define the theme or focus of your spirit collection.

One thing that’s simple to do is to specialize in a specific type of spirit, such as whiskey. In that case, you can shop for Glenmorangie whiskey here. Or you can explore a broader range of spirits.

Whatever you choose, having a clear focus will make it easier to curate your collection and make informed decisions when shopping and buying alcohol.

Start With the Essentials

If you’re having a tough time deciding, or you just want to stock up your liquor cabinet, then you can’t go wrong with the essentials.

Get yourself an expansive selection of whiskey, such as bourbon, scotch, and rye. To add, purchase the other types we’ve mentioned above (vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and brandy).

Even though you’re trying to stock up your cabinet, don’t go wild and buy everything you see. Remember: quality over quantity. Make every cent worth spending by only investing in reputable brands and diverse styles too.

Consider Collectible Bottles

If you have a bigger budget, or you have room to splurge every once in a while, then consider collectible bottles. This can add a touch of exclusivity to your collection, and you’ll get bragging rights. This will certainly impress your friends, especially if they’re collectors themselves.

Look at limited editions, as well as single cask releases and bottles with historical significance. Ensure you don’t get scammed by researching reputable auctions, online marketplaces, and specialty liquor stores. You’ll also hit more unique finds at these places.

Explore Different Regions

Let’s say you’ve decided to invest your money in whiskey. While it’s traditionally made in Scotland, the liquor’s popularity naturally spread across the world, and people from different countries have their own spins on it. In fact, Japan’s excelled at whiskey making, and has beaten the Scots in many competitions!

The point we’re trying to make here is that every liquor-producing region has its own distinct characteristics and flavors. If you look outside the original country or region of the alcohol you’re collecting, you’re bound to find some real gems. As a result, you’ll expand your collection’s diversity and get a broader understanding of the liquor landscape too.

Store Your Liquor Correctly

You may already have a liquor cabinet, but is it in the right place? Ideally, you should keep your bottles away from direct sunlight. They should be in a cool and dark environment with a consistent temperature to preserve their quality.

In addition to using a liquor cabinet, you can also consider wine fridges or even dedicated cellars if you have the space.

Share Your Collection

Fully enjoying liquor means sharing your bottles with friends and loved ones. Not only can you showcase your collection, but you can create memorable experiences too.

You never know if someone in your social circle is also a liquor enthusiast. You can strike up conversations about the alcohol you’ve shared, and they may bring by something from their own collection next time.

Create a Wonderful Liquor Collection

Having a liquor collection is a fun and classy thing to do, especially if you enjoy imbibing. It can be fulfilling to research what’s available, seek it out, and put the prize into your liquor cabinet. If you keep actively learning, then it can be a lifelong passion that’s satisfying to pursue.

Just remember to drink responsibly, and spend your money wisely too. As with everything, moderation is key to a happy and healthy life.

To keep increasing your food and culinary skills, make sure you check out the rest of our blog articles.