Alcohol and Prepping

So as I was cleaning out all the funky cans of (what used to be) food....leftover from the Y2K scare and rotting away in my parents' old basement...I started to think about what would make a better prepper item. And I decided alcohol would be a good choice. It doesn't depreciate with age. It can be used for recreation, trade item, medicinally or weaponized. So I've started my new collection with a bottle of Jack.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what type of alcohol would be best to stock up on? Vodka? Whiskey? Everclear? Could I get something like wine that would actually APPRECIATE in value? (if the apocalypse doesn't happen, that is) Can you get an actual wooden keg of something like whiskey that you can just let age and actually increase in value over time?

I can't wait to read your ideas!

a reply to: ladyvalkyrie

So instead of food,water,medical supplies,shelter,tools,weapons and sturdy boots you are stocking up on bottles of JD?

What,exactly,is your battle plan going to be once you've awoken with a headache?

WTSHTF build a still and plant some corn.
In the meantime, stock up on empty bottles.

a reply to: ladyvalkyrie

I want some red wine to sip on while sitting in my lawn chair admiring the show.

a reply to: ladyvalkyrie

I like Final Countdown's idea. You could probably trade some 'shine for all kinds of things.

I have heard that vodka is good for cleaning and sterilizing. And if you're having a really crummy day, just put some in a martini glass and have fun!

This has to be one of the funnier threads I've read in awhile. That being said, I'd go with anything that improves with age cause eventually someone's gonna wanna get high and forget the rest of the bs going on. The better the hooch, the better the barter. Human nature ain't gonna change that fast.

a reply to: ladyvalkyrie

morethanjustsurviving.com...

Also, just follow the Avatar to the left...

Aww man, y'all are über dorks! Lmao! I'm not saying this is my only plan. Even the Red Cross advises that you have AT LEAST 3 days worth of food, water, medication, first aide kit, etc etc. I'm saying that after seeing what canned food looks like 15 years later I'm making the executive decision to invest in something else to take up the small amount of basement space that is now vacant.

When TSHTF it can be used for all sorts of things...hence the purpose of this thread. Is one type better than another as an astringent? Does one type burn better than others? Does one hold up better over time?

But...what if TSneverHTF? What if 15 years from now everything is the same as now? You could drink it, keep it, sell it, give it away. At least it won't be liquifying and growing black mold.

a reply to: twohawks

Ok, but what would improve with age? Like I asked before, is it even possible to buy a wooden barrel of something like whiskey?

Plus, what if TSneverHTF? That would be awesome to pass down a 100 year old wooden keg of single malt scotch to my great grand kids!

Nothing wrong with putting back items like alcohol, tobacco etc for barter should the worst happen...

Heck, cases of sodas & M&M's may be worth their weight in gold should the worst happen...

I would just observe what are common convenient much consumed deals, comfort items that will be hard to find when the shelves are empty...

You may even like to have some of those stockpiled should the worst happen...

In the midst of complete chaos, what comfort item do you think will help ease the angst of dealing in a brand new world?

We can't stock everything, but we can put back more than just what a prepper checklist says... have fun with it!!!

a reply to: BestinShow

And bookmarked....thank you sir! It looks like my best bet would be a variety of spirits and Everclear, in glass bottles of course. But just for fun I want to get a few bottles of fine wines to pass down to my kids/their kids etc. Or as before mentioned a single male scotch.

I've got the honey sources and the technical know how to be a honey mead tycoon come end times.
Great minds think similarly.

Booze and cigarettes will be the new currency once the zombie apocalypse hits.

a reply to: skunkape23

You could render a potential thieving band useless with one bottle of honey mead...

a reply to: JacKatMtn
I brought 15 gallons to a good buddies wedding reception.
I had a whole gym full dancing.
Half the room woke up on the floor in the morning.

a reply to: ladyvalkyrie

If you put anything in a wooden barrel, it can spoil or evaporate. Same with some bottles, the alcohol will escape over time.

Wine if the right vintages, distillery will increase both value as well as taste with age.

originally posted by: Hijinx
Wine if the right vintages, distillery will increase both value as well as taste with age.

Same with Scotch.

a reply to: skunkape23

NO doubt... a good bottle of honey mead will go down smooth and put you down for the night... quickly...

I may consider moving it on my database from provision, to the weapon category

a reply to: AdmireTheDistance

Scotch does not age in the bottle. It will be literally the same, in 1-2-10-50 years if left in a bottle. If you leave it in the barrel it will mature with time, but it evaporates at the same time. This is part of why the flavour changes. The flavours become more dense and more sugars are imparted from the wood changing it's flavour.

How ever, it can spoil, evaporate to a point it's gone, it's sensitive to temperature and moisture in the barrel as well. So I don't think investing in a barrel for "prepping" would be wise.

a reply to: Hijinx

That's why you need a good, secure cellar, with a few casks. It won't last forever, sure, but for the first couple years of the apocalypse you can live like a king (or be too drunk to care)!