Sampling Bottles

Depends on where you're from and what you want. Some online shops I know offer new, empty sample bottles. Or you search for it on google ;) That's where i found some very nice 100ml pharmacist style flasks with cork that look great in your cabinet or bar or shelf etc. like these: flaschenland.de/shop/…

It's a german site though but I am sure similar things exist where you're from. Hope this helps a little and happy holidays :)

@Mahlzahn That cork seems rubbish if you want to make sure your contents remain stable.

I buy mine here: www.ebottles.eu (syrup 30ml with Astra triseal)

By the way, most pharmacies will supply similar types of bottles if you ask for them, but probably more expensive than buying from a specialist.

@WhiskyNotes I know, that's why i changed the cork to these: flaschenland.de/shop/…

@NoElf, in the US I like The Container Store's (.com) 40 ml/1.33 oz "10 dram apothecary" vials @ $ 1.49 ea. At this price I re-use the vials. For quick give-aways I buy and re-use the bottles of 50 ml vodka or Crown Royal samples, which around here can often be found for $ 1.08 total each. (No, I wouldn't put a malt whisky into a used Crown Royal bottle. That would be for bourbon only.)

I bought a bunch of 4oz Boston round bottles from specialty bottle.com. I'm using them for trade and to save drams to compare in the future.

Thanks fellas, that gives me a good place to start.

I wanted to follow up on these older posts regarding sample bottles. I have a few of my more expensive whiskies that I'll probably start opening and enjoying. Having just had a son, I was hoping to store some away to drink with him once he comes of age so I need to find a bottle that will last a long time. Being in the U.S., I was most likely going to order through Specialty bottle but wanted to see what people thought would be the best closure to use; swing top, cork, plastic cap (like on the Boston bottles), or "T" top cork.

I was thinking of ordering 6 or 8 oz bottle to store away for decanting/future drinking and maybe a few 2 oz bottles for sample swaps.

@NoElf I use Amulla.co.uk for bottles in the UK.

@InGreatSpirits, since you are in the US, for decanting and for samples I like the S & K Bottles and Packaging clear Boston bottles, with inverted phenolic cone lids. They come in 16 oz, 8 oz, 4 oz, 2 oz, and smaller bottles. I use all of these sizes. I've been pleased with their products and their services.

Thanks for the recommendation @Victor.

@Victor Thanks for the recommendation of the Boston bottles with the Phenolic lids. I just found a site in Canada (www.saffireblue.ca) that has the same style of bottles with very reasonable shipping charges. I just place an order for 20 4 OZ bottles and will let you guys know what they are like when I receive them.

@mscottydunc, if you are happy with your 4 oz bottles, then you will probably later want some 2 oz ones for sample swaps and finer-size bottle breakdown. When I open up an 8 or 16 ounce decanting bottle I typically drink some, then store the rest in the smaller sized bottles.

@mscottydunc

I'm curious to know how much they charge for shipping. The bottle prices themselves seem very reasonable. Are you getting the blue glass or amber glass bottle?

For what it's worth, I just shopped around online for a modest number of 4 oz boston bottles between Specialty Bottle, Amazon, and SKS. The best deal I found was on Specialty Bottle: twelve 4-oz boston bottles w/ caps for about $21 including shipping.

Amazon is probably cheaper if you're ordering anything else (or more than just twelve bottles) to put you over $35 and get their free shipping.

SKS has really high shipping costs. (And if you want to poke around there, click the category navigation buttons rather than trying to run a search. The categories worked way better and got me to the clear boston bottles tout de suite.)

In the end, I decided that none of those were good deals and I passed altogether—only because I already have a few smaller bottles from past whisky purchases that I've been refilling as I rotate open stock. They'll do for now.

Here is what I purchased form Saffire Blue for those that are interested, prices included. 12 x Clear Glass Boston Round Bottle - 4 oz - $15.00 8 x Clear Glass Boston Round Bottle - 8 oz - $8.56 20 x Black Phenolic Lid w/ Polycone liner - $5.60

Shipping - $12.42 Tax - $5.29

Total $45.99

I thought that was reasonable for 20 bottles with lids, shipping included.