Sourcing Likker Bottles

[bacstill]

Hello All
I am wondering where you source your bottles for your finished products. Been looking into some 750ml whiskey and gin bottles, but would prefer to support a small(er) company if possible.

What bottles do you use? What corks and labels? Thanks in advance.

[bacstill]

Also apologies if this was in the wrong board -- Couldn't find a better fit.

[TXChiliMayo]

https://www.berlinpackaging.com/

They have some interesting ones and some on clearance now. But I’m having trouble finding the iconic single malt shape ones. Though I have time, I’m also picky with what I want to use.

[BigJames]

I’ve had good luck with a company called packaging options direct. They have several nice likker bottles. They even have bottles with finger rings.

[Bushman]

I use used whiskey and rum bottles. My fishing partner loves Bushmill and gave me his empties until I had more than I could use. I like the shape of the bottle as the base is square which makes it easy to stack on a shelf.

[chickenfeed]

This is where I get mine prices are good and free shipping

[Bushman]

This is where I get mine prices are good and free shipping

Do you have a link to share?

[dieselduo]

I use clear wine bottles with t corks

[jonnys_spirit]

I make wine so have a bunch of wine bottles and also use either the reusable whiskey corks or a regular wine cork. I've got a handful of decanters too and will keep other cool looking whiskey bottles that I can re-label. If it's etched or I can't remove the branding then it goes in the recycle bin... Just picked up a decanter from amazon with a glass skull on the inside..

Mostly the stuff stays in various aging jugs on oak (assortment of 0.5G and 1G glass) and I fill one bottle at a time.. Right now the barrels are holding wine & port.

Cheers!
jonny

[CoogeeBoy]

My tip, go for 500ml bottles instead of 750ml for gin etc if you are giving them as gifts. They look pretty similar in size and you get more bottles out of each run!

[Durhommer]

I dont believe in the package so much as what's in it....
Whatever empties I can get I use but I'm just as tight as bark on a tree so....

[Grappa-Gringo]

I use 375ml bottles... basically dessert wine bottles from the local home wine making shop-- I'll cork them and then dip them in a hot red or black sealing wax and let it drip down...like the Gran Marnier bottle.....OR.... there are some nice small maple syrup bottles that have a hoop handle on them...Either one works for me.

[The Baker]

You could do what banknote printers have done in the past; (use empty commercial spirit bottles and) overprint the labels!

Say you are John Smith, and you have some Johnny Walker bottles.
Print up some sticky labels (or use gum); maybe longish and narrowish and a bright colour.

JOHN SMITH'S PRIVATE LABEL

and maybe some other info

Anyway stick the label diagonally across the original label.

Voila; and no need to remove the old labels.

Geoff

[chickenfeed]

I will buy 2.5 gallon beverage servers at pottery barn or Walmart and replace the plastic spout with a stainless or copper one and then leave it on my bar and pour out of that. You can even use it to oak in.

[SassyFrass]

Used to pick up nice once used bottles from some bartenders I know. Even dumpster dived a few times to get usable bottles, also used pickle jars, gallon cider jugs and a few other things. I like the pickle jars for flavoring with wood. But all that stuff I've just acquired over the year from friends and family. We still save all our empties, even though we havent cooked a drop in a few years.

[Yonder]

Made friends with a meadery and a brewery. They aren’t allowed to reuse bottles by law. Convinced ‘em that me recycling em was better’n busting ‘em up. Picked up plenty of wine bottles and over 100, 500ml clear bottles for mead and makings.

[WithOrWithoutU2]

I use mason jars and replace the lids with PTFE discs. Seals very nicely.

[SassyFrass]

I use mason jars and replace the lids with PTFE discs. Seals very nicely.

+1
Good thing about this is that Mason jars are stackable, bottles aint. PTFE lids are easy to make too.

[8Ball]

I use clear wine bottles with t corks

+1

And use blue tape with a sharpie to know what is in them.

[JesseMarques]

Recicling facilities. At least where I live glass bottles can be found in glass recicling plants, I can even have some preference on bottle types because I gift the owner with some likker

[Deplorable]

I'm a stingy bastard, and been saving my empty scotch bottles. Scotch Blue masking tape and a sharpie. Product goes from the aging jar to a recycled bottle as needed. I'll eventually have to buy a case or two of bottles when the barrel needs emptied, or a few more gallon jugs.

[Demy]

I use what I find for free, sometimes I use a "beautiful" bottle that is filled with a "less beautiful" one. Strictly in glass. My labels? Manuscript paper tape with distillate type, vol. It is given. At the moment I use this method, I'm not against beautiful things on the contrary .., it's just more practical.

[WithOrWithoutU2]

I use mason jars and replace the lids with PTFE discs. Seals very nicely.

+1
Good thing about this is that Mason jars are stackable, bottles aint. PTFE lids are easy to make too.

I don't make mine. I just buy them. Cheap and they have perfect sizes for both wide and regular mouth size for Mason jars. I've been experimenting with aging in large ones too with pin holes in the lids to "breathe" . So far I think the pin holes have been too small and basically reseals.

Here is a link. https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item. ... &catid=720

[Oldvine Zin]

Used to get glass at specialty bottle, local so no expensive shipping charges, now with the covid no local pickup so been sourcing recycling bins. The neighbors must think that I'm some crazy dude but I have noticed that a lot of them are drinking crap Kentucky whiskey from trader joe's, not sure about the quality in the bottle but I can only guess. But great 750 ML bottles for free. They are the ones on the right side.

Stay safe
OVZ

[SassyFrass]

Looks very good OVZ.

[Windswept]

I keep an ad on the local buy and sell for wine bottles and gallon jugs. Seems like there's always someone who's getting out of wine-making and looking to unload a few cases of wine bottles for cheap

[Durhommer]

Used to get glass at specialty bottle, local so no expensive shipping charges, now with the covid no local pickup so been sourcing recycling bins. The neighbors must think that I'm some crazy dude but I have noticed that a lot of them are drinking crap Kentucky whiskey from trader joe's, not sure about the quality in the bottle but I can only guess. But great 750 ML bottles for free. They are the ones on the right side.

Stay safe
OVZ

Nice simple label where do you get them

[Oldvine Zin]

Nice simple label where do you get them

They are just simple Avery round kraft brown labels #228808, and I use their online software to design them and never save a copy on the site

Stay sake
OVZ

[Oldvine Zin]

Nice simple label where do you get them

They are just simple Avery round kraft brown labels #228808, and I use their online software to design them and never save a copy on the site

Stay safe
OVZ

[jog666]

Used to get glass at specialty bottle, local so no expensive shipping charges, now with the covid no local pickup so been sourcing recycling bins. The neighbors must think that I'm some crazy dude but I have noticed that a lot of them are drinking crap Kentucky whiskey from trader joe's, not sure about the quality in the bottle but I can only guess. But great 750 ML bottles for free. They are the ones on the right side.

Stay safe
OVZ

Stupid simple but looks good!


Ive lucked out and cleaned out a cellar a couple years back for most of my glass. I have since got set up with a few folks who either drink ALOT or people just give them bottles and I get the extras.