As a novice distiller, I toiled over the best way to score some nice whiskey bottles for my product. I searched craigslist and found nothing other than antiques. Online homebrew stores sell them by the case, but, that is far from free. I am not a whiskey drinker (I know....go figure) so it's not like I can collect my own.
Then it occurred to me...I know (or at least I tip well) quite a few a bartenders. So, the bartender at the local bar where we spend every Friday lunch is going to stash the nicer whiskey bottles she comes across. She already gave me half a dozen that would have otherwise been thrown away.
A quick soak in Oxyclean makes for easy label removal.
Hey, thanks for the oxy-clean tip, that works great! I've been using 3M adhesive remover with limited results on gummed paper labels. Oxy-clean makes them fall right off after a few minutes!
Look around for beer stores. If they sell beer making supplies, they sell bottles. Expect around $1 per bottle. You can also make friends with someone at the recycling center or Wal-Mart customer service counter. They have access to a higher volume of bottles than your bartender friend.
Bottles that aren't accepted by the automated machines all go through the customer service area, including the larger 1 gallon wine bottles. You'll notice that there are usually 3-4 large garbage cans full of aluminum, plastic, and glass bottles already separated that usually get emptied every day. At a nickel each, it's a very cheap way to get bottles. To to befriend someone on the night or early morning shift, as they would have more time to browse through them.
Wal-Mart customer service counter. They have access to a higher volume of bottles than your bartender friend.
Why would they have access to more bottles?
Likely he is from a state (like IA), where they have 'all bottle' returns. If you look on most containers, they list that they are worth 5 cents in X, Y, Z states, 8 cents in U state, and 10 cents in A and B. In these states, often there are laws that require many retailers to 'take' these containers. For people that live in other states, it seems strange, but in those states, like the poster mentioned, there can often be large sacks of containers at many places.
Another good source, is to find a catering company, especially one that does things like weddings or large events where there is an open bar, and talk with them about saving some. A larger wedding/event often can net you 20-100 bottles.
Hillbilly Rebel: Unless you are one of the people on this site who are legalling distilling, keep a low profile, don't tell, don't sell.
I keep my stock ageing as long as possible. I decant what I need into into a WW2 antique ships decanter for consumption. My voddy goes into 4 1L vodka bottles and thats it.
ps: I never keep +95% lying around, but prefer to dilute to 90 proof and store the neutral in 10L glass demijohns...
So, the bartender at the local bar where we spend every Friday lunch is going to stash the nicer whiskey bottles she comes across. She already gave me half a dozen that would have otherwise been thrown away.
