What should a basic upscale liquor cabinet be stocked with?!
What should a basic upscale liquor cabinet be stocked with?
I am looking for suggestions on specific brands of:
Vodka
gin
tequila
rum
bourbon
Scotch
Brandy
Cognac
Whiskey
Nothing too over board on price.
Answers:
Vodka - Absolut
Gin - Tanquerey
Tequila - Monte Alban
Rum - Bacardi
Bourbon - Jim Beam
Scotch - Cutty Sark
Brandy - Paul Masson Grande Amber VSOP
Cognac - Courvoisier VSOP
Whiskey - Seagrams 7
Add some liqueurs - Southern Comfort, Disaronno Originale, Kahlúa. And some flavored schnapps, too
Grey Goose Vodka is a must!
(don't really drink the other stuff so i can't help you out there sorry)
That is funny you should ask this question.
I just watched a recent thing on I think 20/20 and they did a report on people who request high end liquor in their drinks instead of the low end and they found that 9 out of 10 people couldn't tell a difference in a taste test.
They tested Grey Goose against some other brands I can't remember but only 1 person could tell which drink had the grey goose in it.
Even though the other 9 people always request grey goose instead of other stuff.
The report was done because of people requesting high end drinks and paying more for them instead of getting the low end version of the same thing.
So I would say to go to your local liquor store and just look around or even ask the people working there they should know something about the liquor they sell.
Good luck
My cabinet is stocked mostly with stuff I don't drink, so I have a medium to higher ranged price selection.
Skyy Vodka
Blue Saphire Gin
Jose Cuervo Silver and Gold
Captain Jack Rum, in Orange as well
Canadian Mist Blended Bourbon
Glenfiddich-for neat or on the rocks,
Johnnie Walker black for mixing
Armagnac - if you are going to sip brandy, do it right
JB Brandy for mixed drinks only, not for sipping.
Johnny Walker Black Label
These are all medium priced except for the Armagnac which can be as expensive as you are willing to pay, but is worth it. And, while I love my family and friends, I would only serve it to a small group of dinner guest and about a shot in a warmed and oversized snifter to get the very most out of the experience.
If I could just suggest that if you plan on mixing drinks, use a generic or store brand because the taste is completely lost and all you are really going for is the alcohol content in those drinks.
And, I would like to add that I also keep a bottle of Kahlua, Baileys, Tuaca, a generic orange liquer, a creme de menthe and Crown Royal, which I consider basics.
does upscale mean "top shelf"........then that would be Grey Goose or Belvedere Vodka, Jack Daniels Whiskey, Jim Bean Bourbon, Bacardi Rum, Jose Curveo Tequila, Johnnie Walker Scotch (I think its a scotch).
I don't know if Hennessy is a brandy or cognac, and I don't know if it is considered top shelf.......I don't drink it. As far as the gin is concerned, I've only had Seagram's, and I don't know if that is top shelf.
Liquor is so expensive, I don't think I'd have all that. I'd forget about brandy and cognac,. Whiskey and bourbon are essentially the same, unless you are talking blended whiskey like Seagram's VO. I'd just choose between having say Crown Royal or Jack Daniels.
I'd have a good vodka - Grey Goose or Ketel One, or Skyy for mixed drinks. Vodka is really not a great liquor for sipping except for martinis.
A good tequila since that is what I drink, Patron is ok, and a cheaper one for margaritas - Cuervo is fine
The aforementioned Crown Royal
Laphroig (excellent) or Glenfiddich (good) scotch
Bacardi rum
Then I'd go for liqueurs you will use for mixed drinks, such as Kahlua, Bailey's, triple sec or Cointreau, butterscotch schnapps, apple pucker or Godiva for flavored martinis, Chambord, good Amaretto.
Then I'd have plain soda, 7 up, Coke, tonic, ginger ale, cranberry juice, orange juice, sweet/sour, and bloody mary mix. Buy serving-size containers as much as possible to have fresh mixers and cut down on waste.
Ice machine (bagged, or separate icemaker) ice is best because it is clear, unlike your fridge's icemaker
Vodka - Grey Goose
Gin - Bombay Sapphire
Tequila - anything that says "Anejo" (aged)
Rum - Bacardi
Bourbon - Jack Daniels, Knob Creek, Wild Turkey Black
Scotch - (all of these) Johnny Walker Red/Black, Lagavulin, Laphroig, Glenlivet, Oban,
Brandyand Cognac (same thing) - Remy Martin VSOP or XO
Whiskey - Crown Royal
My picks would be:
Vodka - Grey Goose
gin - Bombay Sapphire
tequila - Jose Cuervo
rum - Bacardi 8
bourbon - Jack Daniels
Scotch - Johnnie Walker Black
Brandy - [skip if you have Cognac, which IS a Brandy]
Cognac - Hennesy VSOP
Whiskey - Crown Royal
None of these are super premiums, but more are considered top shelf and well recognized.
Well...these are my faves. Most bottles on the list won't top $150 except for a few which I adore(Herradura/Paradis)
Good luck in building your collection. If you are looking for a top notch slection that you will RARELY drink get the good stuff one bottle at a time. Don't get a buncgh of cheaper bottles to fill your cabinet up faster. You'll appreciate it more in the longrun.
Vodka : Grey Goose / Belvedere
gin: Bpmbay Sapphire
tequila : Heraradura Suprema
rum : Flor de Cana
bourbon : AH Hirsch 16 year
Scotch : Johnny Walker Blue
Brandy : Hennessey paradis
Cognac : Cognac is a type of Brandy
Whiskey : 21 year Bushmills