Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

I don't really have a bar - more less just a bunch of bottles scattered here and there over my shelves and bookcase(s). But anyway - looking around I'm pretty lacking in general offerings outside of the Rum category. So looking for some help/suggestions in what I should stock to keep most people happy. I've started the list below - but don't have a clue as to name brands that in general I should have.

Here my pitiful list of what I currently have - no laughing now - Click Here

So if you have a suggestion, name brand or something else I should stock - I'd like to see it. I am not trying to set up a professional bar mind you - just want to be able to serve most people.

Brandy
Bourbon
Gin
Vodka
Flavored Vodka(s)?
Whiskey
Scotch
Rum (Have this one covered :D )
Sherry
Tequila


Thanks,

Ron

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

I'll bite.

Raspberry Absolut with 7-Up, mix with anything other than 7-Up and it's not quite right. It will mess you up in a hurry though so be careful.

As for other vodkas, to me Gray Goose is alright. I'm partial to Absolut though however only mixed with Squirt, yummy.

There are a couple of others that I have had that are quite nice, can't remember them though, sorry. Effen vodka to me not so good, Shakers and Skyy bleh. Stoli, yup, good stuff.

I'll probably get back to this post, a year ago I was on a vodka kick, killed too many brain cells, not that I had too many to start with, can't remember all the names. :)

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Vodka - Chopin is by far my favorite
Bourbon - Old Foresters at the low end, Woodford Reserve in the middle, Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B in the upper middle, and Pappy Van Winkle at the high end
Scotch - I'd grab a talisker, laphroiag quarter cask, or ardbeg 10 if you're not a scotch drinker, just to have good scotch on hand
Tequila - Herradura Anejo
Gin - Hendricks

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

I always kept Tangueray Gin and Lots of different Tequila, and some kind of crazy expensive Scotch that my exmil used to drink. Can't rememeber what it was called.
I always had Chi Chi's Marguerita mix and De Kuyper's Cactus Juice, too.
A marguerita party could break out at any moment.
I haven't drank in six or seven years, so the details are pretty much lost. :)

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

First things first -

You want to serve most people? Make sure you have the correct glassware! Presentation is EVERYTHING.

As for the liquors, a good rule of thumb is one top shelf, one middle of the road, and one for mixing.

That way you don't go broke by mixing all your good liquor!

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

There are some good recs here, but I don't think for what you're looking for you're trying open a restaurant so three of each alcohol is kind of unreasonable. In my experience with bartending and entertaining, here's my take on what you need in a home bar:
The first thing you're gonna wanna stock are the five basic liquors: Vodka, Gin, Rum, Whiskey and Tequila. These are gonna be the bottles you use to make most of your mixed drinks. Just go middle of the road with these, no need to spend a lot of money on alcohol that's gonna be mixed with sodas and whatnot so a good level to go with might be Stoli, Tanqueray, Bacardi, Jack Daniels and Sauza/Cuervo. These are just suggestions, and I know some purists may complain about some of my recommendations, keep in mind these are not for sipping, they're for making mixed drinks.

You've got good stuff in your bar already, so if you don't want to purchase additional stuff, you can just use what you've got, but I'd think most of what you have is more high end then stuff you would normally stock your bar with.

The next stage of alcohols you would need are a dark rum, brandy, irish cream, a coffee liqueur, triple sec and sweet and dry vermouth. With these in hand and a few non-alcoholic mixers, you can mix almost any of the traditional mixed drinks and coffee drinks. Here's my rec on what to spend on these: spend enough but not too much. Go one step above generic, but there's no need to go high end on any of these. They won't get used enough at a home bar and unless you're having a themed party, the people who order drinks with these as ingredients shouldn't be too picky as to what alcohol you're using. It is nice to be able to provide the exact drink a guest is looking for though.

From there you can start stocking different types of cordials and liqueurs if you'd like, but there are so many, I suggest just picking them up as a drink recipe you might want to try calls for them. Odds are you won't use the whole bottle and there will be plenty left over. This includes ports, sherries as well, unless you want to specifically stock those.

Now for sipping beverages...you're list is basically pretty well stocked in this department. Everyone has their own favorite scotches/whiskeys/tequilas/bourbons/rums/etc., so you can't have everything. Just pick up things a bottle at a time as something you want to try comes up.

When it comes to things like infused vodkas and what not, I used them when I worked in a professional bar, but unless there is a specific drink you want to make using a specific flavored vodka, or unless you drink that flavor a lot, it tends to just sit there...forever.

Now for mixers, etc: My recommendation is to get some of those small individually sealed bottles or cans, you can keep a couple near the bar and they don't take up too much space and have some extras in the garage or basement just in case. You'll probably want cranberry juice, orange and pineapple juice is not a must but it does give you a lot of versatility, lime juice (get the sweetened syrup like Rose's), tonic water, club soda, Coke/diet, 7up, ginger ale, simple syrup, sour mix and bitters. Other than fresh ingredients and garnishes, this should be about all anyone could ever ask for in a home bar.

Oh and one last thing. Get a nice drink recipe book, it makes bartending a whole lot more fun when you can actually use some of the different bottles to make a delicious concoction.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Brandy - Cardinal Mendoza is a great popular Spanish brandy. Should be just for sipping though; I don't know much about brandy, but I don't want to know anything other than this one! J&M would be an idea for a cheap selection to add.

Bourbon - Woodford Reserve will please anyone from the bourbon drinker to the occasional or inexperienced imbiber. Not too expensive either. Good old Wild Turkey is a must on a shelf too - mixing, sipping, whatever; it's good, inexpensive, recognizable bourbon. I would suggest Jim Beam if I didn't hate it.

Gin - Bombay Sapphire and Plymouth are excellent gins for most if not all gin cocktails. A bottle of Beefeater's is an icon on a bar shelf though if you want a 'generic' one.

Vodka - Not much experience here, but the Russians drink Russian Standard. Very decent and well-priced. Tito's and Chopin are great too. Stoli is cheap and good for mixing.

Flavored Vodka(s) - Really whatever works. Anything but Absolut.

Whiskey - Most people are easily satisfied with Crown Royal and Jack Daniel's. No bar should be without a good rye for Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, etc., and Rittenhouse Rye is an excellent, cheap rye. Wild Turkey makes a good rye at a fair price as well.

Scotch - Not a lot of experience here, but The Balvenie Doublewood is good for beginners and experienced drinkers in the single-malt area. Johnny Walker Black is a bar staple, really, and the Red would be good for mixing.

Rum (Have this one covered :D )

Sherry - Don't know much about sherry. Go for Spanish.

Tequila - El Jimador and Herradura. The end :D Patron seems to be pretty popular these days too, so that would be a crowd-pleaser. 1800 is good for mixing. I would never be seen with Cuervo or Sauza in my house, haha.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Brandy
Bourbon
Gin
Vodka
Flavored Vodka(s)?
Whiskey
Scotch
Sherry
Tequila

What kind of money are you looking to spend for 9 bottles? That pretty much decides what types of suggestions to give. And you might think about scratching flavored vodka, or sherry in favor of getting at least two types of tequila.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Vodka - Grey Goose and throw the rest away!

Scotch - Lagavulin, Talisker, Laphroaig, and The Glenlevit

Brown Whiskey - George Dickel (Black), Fighting **** 103 (better than Wild Turkey and cheaper, if you are not in the South you want find it though), Woodford Reserve (smooth and good value) and probably some Crown Royal for the name recognition and some Makers Mark for a lower priced smooth drink.

Keep in mind many of the best liquors are seldom heard names.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

I think you're in good hands here Ron:tu

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

The number one selling blended Scotch in Scotland is The Famous Grouse. The number one selling single malt in Scotland is Glenmorangie. FWIW.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

The list is not set at 9 bottles or even what I listed. Nor do I need to buy all of them at once. So I'm not limited to just one bottle of each.

Exactly - which is one of the main purpose of this thread.

I think so!

And my local ABC store carries both of those brands - :tu

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

My wife does that Margarita thing - she has her own little cabinet in the kitchen so she has that covered!

Ummm yep - currently they can have a small glass or a large glass - :ss

Seriously though - once I actually get around to remodeling the basement and get an actual bar area set up - I'll work on the glassware then.

Rye huh - people actually drink that stuff??? Added to the list!



Ron

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Gin - Hendricks. Love it!
Scotch - sooo many good ones. Ardbeg 10yo has a great $/:) ratio for me. :tu

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

I actually have a book and an app on my iPod Touch. I'll show you both of them Saturday and you can let me know if they will suffice.


Ron

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. I'm building my lists - so keep them coming!


Thanks -


Ron

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Thanks Joel. And the ABC does carry the Ardbeg 10 year. Correct me here - most people are not going to mix Scotch but sip it? The only Scotch drinker I know is my brother-in-law and I have never seen him mix it.


Ron

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

That's correct Ron. The only thing most people would mix Scotch with would be ice or a tiny bit (wee bit :)) of water to open it up.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Ron, the thing about scotch is there are so many and every scotch drinker has his own favorites. If you want to pick up some, it's a good idea to get ones that will please new scotch drinkers and experienced ones. A couple recs are the Balvenie 12 and the Talisker 10, both reasonably priced and flavorful. For a scotch that might be mixed a blended Scotch such as Johnnie Walker would suffice. Let me know if you want any more specific recommendations. Most of what I'm going by is how I've stocked bars in the past both at restaurants and personally.

Are you looking for a specific stock list with recommendations? I can give you one if you'd like, I was just giving general guidelines, but I can also tell you exactly what I'd buy. I'd also say that a lot of the liquor recommendations you might get that might be sleeper hits might be a bit of an acquired taste. For instance, I love Hendrick's gin, but I've met more people who didn't like it than did. However, many people who enjoy gin enjoy Hendricks, it's the ones who don't drink gin often who really disliked it. Same with Scotch, Laphroiag is a great Scotch, imo, but the average drinker will not like it's smoky/peaty flavor profile. Let me know what you want and I can put a list together and pm you.

Whatever you do, don't buy Galliano. I don't even know if stores stock it, but I know of only two drinks that I can make off the top of my head that use it (an italian coffee recipe i know of and the harvey wallbanger) and I have never seen it ordered. I always find it hilarious to see at restaurant bars because it makes me wonder how many years it's been sitting there.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Keep us posted with the results, please.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

What.....you mean I can't use dixie cups no more?:r

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

The Number One Selling Cigars in the U.S. are Swisher Sweets too.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Basics includes Gin and Vodkas, Kahluas, Amaretto, different Schnapps.

Basic cocktails involve gins and vodkas and then start to get crazy with flavored vodkas.

You'll go crazy collecting Scotches and Bourbons and whiskey's etc.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

I couldn't agree more. If I were buying Scotch for a party where I thought non-Scotch drinkers would partake I may opt for a different choice than the Ardbeg, but the snippet of conversation below...

...led me to believe that Ron was looking for our personal choices. The liquor store where I shop has a grouping of Scotches that are revered as "The Classic Six". Here's a link describing those six (thanks for the link kayaker!). Depending on the budget, that would be a neat way to stock the bar Scotch-wise.


Damn, now I want to go to the liquor store! :r

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Well if you're looking for an ultra peaty scotch look at the Laphgraiog 15 or Ardbeg Uigeadail.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Is that the tall, conical bottle with the yellow stuff in it?

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

And I am. And in doing so, with the diverse members of the Asylum, I believe I will get a great cross section of suggestions in which to choose from. It's not like I am going to run out and buy 20 some bottles this weekend - I plan on building it up over time - so I don't have any limits set at the moment.


I wouldn't know an ultra peaty scotch if it slapped me in the face - :ss


Thanks,

Ron

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Well...I think you would. It tastes like medicine that's been set on fire (if you're not used to it).

Anyways, if you want specific recommendations here's my list, it's got some stuff on it that's not so common in bars, but the best values for the money. This is just one man's recs so YMMV.

Rail-stuff you mix with (it's not like you have people over every night so no need to really get anything too cheap here, but there's also no need to get anything really good that won't be appreciated in a mixed bev.)
Vodka- This is one I'm not sure of because vodka tends to be mixed with ingredients that grossly out flavor the vodka so it's really not as important, imo, what vodka you use unless your making martinis or something. Don't get anything in a plastic bottle, but unless you plan on entertaining serious vodka drinkers, my recommendation is Stoli. Middle of the road, easily obtainable, no objectionable flavours and good enough for a martini.
Gin- Tanqueray. Some people may disagree, but I find this one to not overly herbaceous so it's rather approachable. Drinkable in a Gin and Tonic and in Gin Martinis. Hendrick's is also a great one, but that's kind of a second level purchase, it's a less mainstream and also less approachable.
Rum- You said you've got this covered and you probably know more about it than me. As for recipes, you'll need a decent lower end clear rum and a decent lower end dark rum, what you choose is up to you, but that will give you flexibility. No reason to waste HC Barrel Proof in a mixed drink where you can't really taste the rum.
Tequila-This one I also don't have much experience with. I'm sure someone else here can expound on some good sleeper value hits, but in my experience I can say most tequila based drinks are palatable with Sauza or Cuervo. Once again, with sipping tequila you're getting into the next level of purchases.
Whiskey-Jack Daniels is standard in bars as is Jim Beam. However, seeing that Evan Williams Single Barrel is 17.99 at the liquor store right now near my house, I'd just get that or something comparable. Get a bourbon type whiskey here as that's what most recipes will call for and it will fit the bill for most general whiskey based drinks.
Scotch- This I know a little bit about, at least I think so. Get a blended scotch for mixed drinks, single malt for sipping. Best values out there: White Horse and Old Pulteney. I was fooled once in a blind Scotch tasting by White Horse and I think it's better than almost any other blended scotch, with only a few super high end exceptions, and it's like 10 bucks a bottle. Old Pulteney is a great bottle for the price and delivers a surprisingly nice Scotch profile. Other great scotches to buy at first include Balvenie (it's honey sweetness pleases most scotch drinkers) and Talisker (an Islay that's not as peaty as some).

If I think of any others as I go through the day, I'll post those up too.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Wow! That is an outstanding price. Here is has been climbing through the roof the past 3 years. Running $23 - $25 a bottle. As many have noted, lot's of personal taste can lead you to so seldom tried liquor, but the EVSB has been liked by almost anyone I have servered it to. Much less bite than most bourbons.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

You have gotten some good recommendations. I particularly thought Ji gave a very well thought out plan. Beyond the basics of Rum, Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, Tequila Sweet and Dry Vermouth, an Orange Liquor like Triple Sec (or Grand Marnier or Cointreau if you like rich drinks). I like Bacardi Anejo rum, Luksusowa Vodka, Gordons Gin, and Evan Williams Bourbon for very good cost per value staples. The basics can be combined in an infinite variety of ways and are always good to have on hand the rest should have a specific purpose or they don't get used.

I would cater the rest of your liquor cabinet to the tastes of your most frequent guests rather than trying to be prepared for any possibility. Otherwise you will invest a lot of money on stuff that just sits on the shelf for years. For example I have a six year old bottle of Ouzo with two shots gone.

I would also say for sipping drinks particularly things like single malt and other Artisanal liquors buy what you enjoy. It is the hosts prerogative. Keeping a full range and variety of styles of single malts for instance on hand just in case someone may like one specific style at some point seems unnecessary. Now if you want to experiment on a peaty scotch like Laphroaig and you don't like it, you will eventually have a guest thrilled you have it on the shelf. If you are going expand your range experiment with things you are interested in not only for potential guests. With the explosion of brands and styles and flavors a home bar just can't cover everything any more.

As for flavored Vodkas or other unusual liquors like Pama which I really like BTW. I would research a one or two interesting drinks you can use as signature drinks that you can offer to people who don't know what they like and want something tasty. Then you can just stock up on the flavored liquors that work for that drink. I use the Pama for a banging Cosmopolitan. I also tend to keep and Irish Creme on hand and Godiva Chocolate liquor to make a Chocolate Martini for the sweet drink crowd.

Last thought. Someone mentioned having good glassware is nice and can help make a drink. Another key is appropriate garnishes be it maraschino cherries, fresh citrus wedges, olives etc... I have a small grater and grate dark chocolate to go on my chocolate martinis which makes a good drink memorable.

It is better to be prepared to cover the basics (which goes a long way) and a few special things well than overextending yourself trying to cover every eventually.
Good luck.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Some nice thoughts here. Just wanted to add my name is Jeremy. :D

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Hmmm - must be what I tried back 1978 - which explains why I'm a Rum drinker today - :D

Your input has been excellent! Thanks!


Got that one covered already - :tu


Ron

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

Yep, it's good stuff. The iconic cocktails like the ones I mentioned already (Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Sazerac...) are rye-based, so it'd be a disservice not to have some ;)

True, most Scotch drinkers will sip it, but I know my fair share of Scotch n' soda drinkers. There's the odd Scotch sour and Hot Toddy also.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

What kind of people are you looking to serve? Younger, older, male, female.. etc.

I tried to put together a well-stocked bar awhile back. I drink rum almost exclusively, but I wanted to serve my friends well. I quickly found out that 99% of the people who came to the house drank either fruity mixed drinks, beer, or wine. My Dad is the only Scotch drinker I know, a few people will drink rum, bourbon or whiskey straight, only an occasional gin and tonic, and tequila was only necessary for margaritas. But vodka is crucial, all the popular mixed drinks seemed to be vodka recipes, the more 'flavor-less' the better. Also high on the list, especially for the women, is coconut rum.

That meant mixers were pretty important, at least for my party crowd. Amaretto, triple sec, blue and orange curacao, peach schnapps, banana liquer, irish creme, chocolate liquer (Godiva is great), blackberry brandy are all well used in my house. I also try to keep lime juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and cranberry juice in the house. Club soda in the summer time for mojitos (along with fresh mint growing in the backyard), tonic in the winter for gin and tonics. I don't mess with garnishes or fancy glassware, too much trouble, not enough appreciation, at least in my crowd.

I'd suggest take a close look at who you'll end up serving, and try to adjust for their tastes. No sense in stocking single malt scotches if they're just going to sit on a shelf for 3 yrs. If they really do have such a broad and varied taste to cover all the liquors, then I'm envious of your friends! :)

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

SO true, SO-O True.

Re: Home Bar Liquor List - What To Buy?
 

I am sucker for Campari, so I would add that. Campari and orange before dinner is a classy and sublime way to start a meal.