🥃 Cave Investments: Getting Started with Bourbon Collecting

Bourbon 101

Because some bottles are made to be admired—and occasionally cracked open with your best buddies.

So, you’ve got the bar. Maybe even a custom shelf for the good stuff. But have you ever thought about building a bourbon collection that’s not just for sipping—but for showing off and investing in?

Welcome to Cave Investments—your new guide to the collectible side of man cave life. We're starting where the shelf meets the wallet: bourbon.

📰 Man Cave Collectables

Getting into bourbon collecting doesn't have to break the bank. Here are a few beginner-friendly collectible bourbons under $50 that are affordable, drinkable, and still have some buzz among enthusiasts:

🥃 1. Wild Turkey 101

• Price: ~$25-30

• Why It’s a Smart Pick: Classic high-proof bourbon that punches above its price. It's been consistent for decades and has a loyal following. Great to drink or hold.

🥃 2. Buffalo Trace

• Price: ~$30-40

• Why It’s a Smart Pick: It’s often hard to find because of high demand—but not impossible. Great intro to the Buffalo Trace lineup (which includes pricey bottles like Eagle Rare and Pappy). A future collectible gateway.

🥃 3. Elijah Craig Small Batch

• Price: ~$35

• Why It’s a Smart Pick: Rich flavor profile, good age (12 years in earlier batches), and a great bottle shape. It's respected by collectors and everyday sippers alike.

🥃 4. Old Forester 100 Proof (Signature)

• Price: ~$25-30

• Why It’s a Smart Pick: Old Forester is historic, and this 100-proof version is bold, flavorful, and collectible-adjacent. Limited editions from this brand jump in value quickly.

🥃 5. Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond (White Label)

• Price: ~$20

• Why It’s a Smart Pick: This one is a true hidden gem. Bottled at 100 proof and aged at least 4 years, it's a classic "bang for the buck" bottle with old-school street cred.

🧼 Collector Tip: Keep at least one bottle sealed if you’re collecting. Look for batch numbers or unique labels—they sometimes increase the value down the road.

Why Bourbon?

Unlike crypto or Beanie Babies, bourbon has two major advantages:

1. It ages well (in and out of the bottle)

2. It tastes amazing if the investment flops

Plus, bourbon is exploding in popularity, and limited editions can go from $60 to $600 in a few years. Some bottles are so rare, they’re basically liquid gold.

🔑 What Makes a Bottle Collectible?

Here’s what separates shelf stockers from future treasures:

• Limited Editions: Think Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Blanton’s, Pappy Van Winkle.

• Age Statements: The older, the rarer. Look for 10+ years.

• Distillery Buzz: Smaller, well-reviewed distilleries can create big demand.

• Presentation: Fancy labels, wax seals, wooden boxes = shelf appeal and value.

• Hype: Yes, it matters. Scarcity + word of mouth = $$$.

🛒 How to Get Started

Start with a mix of drinkers and keepers. Here’s a starter pack worth hunting for:

1. Blanton’s Single Barrel – Highly collectible and gift-worthy.

2. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof – Age-stated and high proof—sought after and tasty.

3. Old Forester 1920 – Affordable and well-respected.

4. Weller Special Reserve – A “poor man’s Pappy” that’s still tough to find.

5. Four Roses Limited Editions – Gorgeous bottles and top-notch juice.

Check local liquor stores, join a bourbon Facebook group, or watch sites like BreakingBourbon.com and Whiskey Raiders for release calendars and reviews.

🧼 Pro Tip: Don’t Drink the Profits (Unless You Want To)

Keep investment bottles stored upright, away from sunlight and heat.
Use a decanter for daily drinkers so you’re not tempted to crack that bottle of Pappy because the game went into overtime.

Bonus: Look, Brag, Sip

Bourbon collecting isn’t just about resale value. It’s about the flex. That top-shelf glow. The moment your buddy says, “Wait, is that a Blanton’s?” and you just nod.

🎬 Plex Picks

Action Movies with a Bourbon Twist

This week’s picks are smoother than a double pour of Blanton’s and packed with more punch than a barrel-strength bottle. Whether bourbon plays a starring role or just adds flavor, these movies all bring the heat.

🔥 1. John Wick (2014)

Bourbon Moment: John Wick pours a glass of Blanton’s in his quiet moment of grief—before all hell breaks loose.
Why It’s a Pick: Stylish, brutal, and fueled by revenge. The bourbon adds a touch of class to Keanu’s deadly calm.
Pairs well with: A neat pour of something strong and sharp.

🕵️‍♂️ 2. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

Bourbon Moment: The American Statesman agents run a secret spy organization disguised as a bourbon distillery.
Why It’s a Pick: Over-the-top action, cowboy flair, and bourbon by the barrel.
Pairs well with: A bold Kentucky bourbon and a sense of humor.

🚔 3. The Equalizer (2014)

Bourbon Moment: Denzel Washington’s character drinks Macallan, but the bourbon-style vibe and barroom confrontations feel right at home.
Why It’s a Pick: Gritty, precise justice served cold—with a slow-sipping intensity.
Pairs well with: Something smooth, dark, and dangerous (like Elijah Craig).

🏜️ 4. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Bourbon Moment: A classic western with saloon scenes full of whiskey and grit.
Why It’s a Pick: Gunslingers, dusty duels, and whiskey-stained dialogue.
Pairs well with: Any bottle that tastes like campfire smoke and rebellion.

🔫 5. Jack Reacher (2012)

Bourbon Moment: Reacher is a straight-shooting, no-nonsense guy—his barroom brawls and loner lifestyle scream “bourbon man.”
Why It’s a Pick: Smart, tough action with a hero who drinks to think—not to party.
Pairs well with: Wild Turkey 101 or Old Forester 100.

💡 Pro Tip: Set up a bourbon tasting while watching—sip something new with each flick. Just pace yourself... you’re not in a Kingsman fight scene.

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