Getting Started
Welcome to MyWhiskyVault! This guide will help you set up your account and start tracking your whisky collection.
What is MyWhiskyVault?
MyWhiskyVault is your digital whisky cabinet. It helps you:
Track every bottle in your collection with photos, purchase details, and current values
Record tasting notes with detailed flavor profiles and scores
Organize and search your collection with powerful filters
Generate reports for insurance, inventory, and sharing
Scan barcodes to quickly add bottles with automatic product lookup
Share tastings with friends and the whisky community
Whether you're a casual enthusiast or serious collector, MyWhiskyVault adapts to your needs.
Creating Your Account
Verifying Your Email
If you signed up with email, you'll receive a verification email:
Check your inbox for an email from MyWhiskyVault
Click the verification link (it expires in 24 hours)
If you don't see it: Check your spam folder
Didn't receive it? Request a new verification email from the login page
Understanding Subscription Tiers
MyWhiskyVault offers flexible subscription plans to match your collection size:
Neophyte (Free Forever)
Perfect for: Beginners exploring whisky
✅ Up to 10 bottles
✅ Basic tasting notes
✅ Collection viewing and filtering
✅ Barcode scanning
❌ Limited reports
Enthusiast
Perfect for: Growing collections
✅ Up to 25 bottles
✅ Unlimited tasting notes
✅ Full reporting suite (Vault, Acquisition, Appraisal)
✅ Shared tastings
✅ Advanced filtering
✅ Email support
Connoisseur
Perfect for: Serious collectors
✅ Unlimited bottles
✅ Unlimited tasting notes
✅ All reports + custom formats
✅ Priority email support
✅ Community features
✅ Export capabilities
Your First Login
The My Vault Page
After logging in, you'll land on My Vault - your collection home page.
What You'll See:
Top Navigation Bar: Links to all major features (My Vault, Tastings, Resources, Reports)
Add Bottle Buttons: Quick access to add bottles to your collection, either manually or by scanning a barcode.
Collection View: Grid or list view of your bottles
Filter Controls: Search, sort, and filter your collection
Statistics Summary: Total bottles and tasting notes, collection value, status breakdown
Navigating the Menu
Main Menu Items:
My Vault - Your bottle collection (home page)
Tastings - Your tasting journal
Resources - Browse whisky distillers, bottlers, and expressions
Reports - Generate PDF reports
User Menu (Top Right):
Profile settings
Subscription management
Dark/light mode toggle
Sign out
Mobile vs Desktop
Desktop:
Full-width layout
Expanded menu always visible
Grid view shows more bottles
Mobile:
Hamburger menu (☰) for navigation
Touch-optimized interface
Camera scanning for barcodes
Single-column layout
Dark Mode
Toggle between light and dark themes:
Click your profile icon (top right)
Click the sun/moon icon
The app will remember your preference
When to use Dark Mode:
Low-light environments
Evening tasting sessions
Reduce eye strain
Personal preference
Adding Your First Bottle
Let's add a bottle to your collection! You have two main options:
What Information Do You Need?
Required:
Distiller (who made it)
Expression (what whisky it is)
Bottle size (750ml, 1L, etc.)
Recommended:
Storage location (where you keep it)
Purchase price (for tracking value)
Purchase date (for inventory)
Photo of the bottle
Optional:
Appraisal value (for insurance)
Purchase location (retailer/store)
Status (Unopened, Open, Empty, Sold)
Your First Bottle is Added!
After saving, you'll see your bottle in My Vault. Congratulations! 🎉
What You Can Do Now:
View bottle details
Edit information
Record a tasting
Take a photo
Update the status when you open it
Next Steps
Add More Bottles
Build your collection:
Try both barcode scanning and manual entry
Add photos to make browsing more fun
Track purchase prices to see collection value grow
Learn more: Managing Bottles Guide
Record Your First Tasting
The best part of collecting whisky is tasting it!
Open a bottle and pour a dram
Record your impressions with tasting notes
Use the flavor profile sliders
Rate the nose, palate, and finish
Learn more: Recording Tasting Notes
Explore Distillers and Expressions
Discover new whiskies:
Browse all distillers in the database
Find expressions from your favorite distillers
Learn about different whisky regions and types
Learn more: Distillers & Expressions Guide
Generate Your First Report
See your collection in a new way:
Create a Vault Summary (complete inventory)
Generate an Appraisal Report (for insurance)
Track your acquisition history
Learn more: Reports Guide
Consider Upgrading
Hit the 10-bottle limit on the free tier?
Review subscription options
Upgrade for unlimited bottles
Unlock full reporting features
Learn more: Subscription Guide
Quick Tips for Success
📸 Always Take Photos
Makes your collection visually appealing
Helps you identify bottles quickly
Great for sharing with friends
📍 Use Consistent Storage Naming
"Cabinet 1, Shelf A" is better than "top shelf"
Develop a system for large collections
Update location when you move bottles
💰 Track Purchase Prices
Even estimates help track collection value
Useful for budgeting
Required for accurate reports
📝 Record Tastings Promptly
Your palate is freshest right after tasting
Note first impressions before they fade
Compare tastings of the same bottle over time
🔄 Keep Information Updated
Change status when you open bottles
Update appraisals for valuable bottles
Add photos as you acquire bottles
Getting Help
Need assistance?
Troubleshooting Guide - Common problems and solutions
Email Support: support@mywhiskyvault.com
Community Forum: Connect with other users
Welcome to the Community!
You're now part of a community of whisky enthusiasts tracking their collections, discovering new drams, and sharing tasting experiences.
Enjoy the journey! 🥃
Last Updated: 2025-11-16
Last updated