Collect, or drink?

@Spitfire I'm ambivalent about your response.

On the one hand I think that the commodification of whisky is bad for the consumers who end up either paying more or unable to obtain the spirits they want.

On the other hand, I think the whole whisky journey is enhanced by buying things you don't intend to drink either upon request or, even better, on the assumption that there is someone else who will want it and may be able to trade for a bottle that you can't get but would like to have.

The trick to avoid commodification is that when trading spirits, the trading partners each have to aim to give more than they get. If everyone wins there are no losers.

^ not

@SKEPTIC Hey, I reallly appreciate your comment, even if I don't really understand your point of view.

I've always been of the opinion of drinking what I have...Not saying that you cannot save that special whisk(e)y for a special occasion, but saving it just for the sake of saving it doesn't really make sense to me.

@Spitfire I think the message from Skeptic is that you're right that collecting has made it more difficult for drinkers to get affordable good stuff, but that there is a role for collecting those bottles you might be able to save for someone who will appreciate them, and maybe to trade for bottles you could not otherwise get.