How do you protect your collection?

[Rum Collector]

I am a rum collector. Compared to some of you I have a very long way to go. I have some items in my collection that may be hard to find and certainly very difficult, if not impossible, to replace. In any event, my rum collection is very valuable to me and, I believe, a value in and of itself. Where can I get an accurate appraisal for a rum collection? Have any of you placed a value on and insured your collection? I know that wine collectors have a process and resources in place to secure their collections. Is there a best practice or process for rum collectors? Are there resources available to help protect growing rum collection?

[Count Silvio]

Well I'd suggest investing in some real sturdy wood shelves, thats the best kind of insurance I know if you still want to display your collection. For the hard to find or impossible to replace bottles I'd suggest an entirely different place where they can't fall or be ruined by day light.

I don't know about actually insuring them but if you did I assume you wouldn't be able to drink them anymore?

[bcarney]

I hide mine in my belly.

[Dood]

I hide mine in my belly.

It's the only way to ensure its safety.

[RobertBurr]

First, if you keep meticulous records of where and when you purchased each bottle: the price, the distillery, importer, etc. your entire collection will be more valuable. Further, if you keep a journal with stories about your rum travels and discoveries, some of these hard-to-find collector's items will be greatly appreciated. In the end, almost no one is qualified to rate or judge your rums since only you know the unique stories and circumstances of how you acquired these rums.

[Paulipbartender]

It's all there to be drunk. The only way we preserve our over 250 strong collection is to buy (or beg) quicker than we give away.

It's uninsured though so we say a regular prayer to the rum-gods ...

[Count Silvio]

You could send me some for protection Paul. I was trained to guard very important things in the army when I received my special training ;).

[Rum Collector]

Robert I will work on my documentation, thanks. Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

[Hank Koestner]

I can not see the value of a rum on a shelf, it must be consumed. Every bottle I purchase, no matter the price or the rarity, will be drank eventually.
I imagine though, in the world of collectors, it might be an investment to keep a rare bottle for it's value for sale later on. Still, from my perspective it would be better to drink those rums and document the experience. cheers.gif

[RobertBurr]

I imagine though, in the world of collectors, it might be an investment to keep a rare bottle for it's value for sale later on. Still, from my perspective it would be better to drink those rums and document the experience. cheers.gif

I have no interest in keeping botle for later sale, but my bottle of Master Blender's Legacy signed "to Robert" in gold pen by Joy Spence will not be opened any time soon. Just about every other bottle is fair game as long as more can be acquired.

[Hank Koestner]

Good point, Robert. If you have one that is discontinued, or hard to find, I imagine I would use that on a special occasion. For instance, I have 3 bottles of Cruzan ESD, and if this rum goes away forever, I will drink these bottles, but stretch them out in time as to enjoy them as much as possible.
Yes, and of course, the autographed bottle is a keeper!! The good thing is you can get more of the rum to drink now. I wish i could find a bottle here in Orlando. I will have to get Kurt on the mission!

[Matusalem]

I am a rum collector. Compared to some of you I have a very long way to go. I have some items in my collection that may be hard to find and certainly very difficult, if not impossible, to replace. In any event, my rum collection is very valuable to me and, I believe, a value in and of itself. Where can I get an accurate appraisal for a rum collection? Have any of you placed a value on and insured your collection? I know that wine collectors have a process and resources in place to secure their collections. Is there a best practice or process for rum collectors? Are there resources available to help protect growing rum collection?I doubt I can be of much assistance. Still, I would guess it depends on what type of "collector" you are? In my estimation I have more spirits combined on hand than I'll be able to drain in my lifetime. A few bottles have personal prestigious or sentimental value. But I do not view myself as a "collector", rather I'm simply someone who has accidentally outpaced demand with supply.

From casual observance, a lot of individuals would probably describe my "collection" as that of someone who collects and is a "collector". I think the obvious difference between myself and the serious collector would be (in analogy), I'd be heartbroken if a meteor or natural disaster struck and ruined my collection... not because the X thousand dollars I had put into it and the xx thousands of dollars it might currently be worth versus the xxx thousands of dollars I might have been able make off it or have it valued at some future time... but I'd be pissed and distraught that I wasn't able to enjoy it & share it with good friends that appreciate such things.

I find the average serious collector more about investment and value more so than actual enjoyment of the product itself. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure there is equal enjoyment / excitement in procuring & owning as some of us find in imbibing and sharing.

With that in mind - depending if you are a really serious collector you probably would want to gather opinion from other serious collectors of spirits and facilities or resources that handle estates / auctions of prestigious goods. Me, I only have advice on how to store it in your residency to protect it for your own future enjoyment.

Ideally I'd die as I drained the very last drop of spirit I owned with not a penny to my name.

[Edward Hamilton]

I have no interest in keeping botle for later sale, but my bottle of Master Blender's Legacy signed "to Robert" in gold pen by Joy Spence will not be opened any time soon. Just about every other bottle is fair game as long as more can be acquired.

Signed in gold pen? I guess I'll have to get down to Coral Gables sooner than later.

[angelsword]

My "collection" is a tasting library. I might pour a flight of 4 to 6 gins tonight for comparison sipping. This allows me to get inside a style and explore.

[forrest]

I do not view myself as a "collector", rather I'm simply someone who has accidentally outpaced demand with supply.

Matusalem, buddy, if i can help at all -- inverting this situation, you let me know.

[Hank Koestner]

Outpaced demand with supply....perfect!!!!.... Thanks, M...now I have a way to describe my situation!!!gzzg

[Tiare]

Outpace demand with supply...how is that possible?

[Matusalem]

Outpace demand with supply...how is that possible?Perfect storm. I don't drink as often as I use to - mainly due to time constraints, and the amount of company / traffic I have these days has diminished as well (also = less demand).

I've slowed down on purchases too, but not enough to where I'm buying less than I'm consuming over a measurable period. Same thing with cigars. I haven't purchased any for a few years now. At the rate I've been able to enjoy these days, I'm guessing we're talking about decades before I'd run dry.