Input for my home bar, honest and constructive opinions. ?!
Now for the fun part. I Have a few bottles of top-shelf liquors and some low end ones for when friends feel like getting drunk on cheap summer party or camping booze. I am looking to spend about 125-200.00$ more in order to boost my mid/low end liquor selection. I just purchased Fireball Whisky, Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Parrot Bay 90 Proof Coconut Rum, Jim Beam Red Stag, 4 bottles of various flavored Smirnoff vodkas, and a few bottles of HRD Root-beer Schnapps (it was on sale for 5 per fifth and my girl loves the stuff).
Any more Suggestions?
I was thinking of the following:
Kettle one
Barenjager
Citronge
Bacardi white premium rum
Grand marnier
Bacardi 8 barrel
Malibu rum
Midori
Applejack brandy
Opinions? Suggestions?
All positive and constructive input is appreciated... However, if one truly feels like being an advocate against drinking, or wishes to make any sly or seemingly witty comments. I politely ask you now to refrain from such actions. I am an adult and am fully aware of any risks associated with drinking and alcohol, as wells as the risks posed by others under the influence.
Answers:
You should have a real top shelf tequila. and I'm not talking that Patron crap and stuff like it. Do some research on a tequila called Chinaco. It is aged for 3 or 4 (i forget, to much chinaco) years in old oak sherry casks. It is commonly served in snifters, not as a shot. No lime or salt either. The aging imparts a wonderful "nose" that other tequilas wish they could. The aging also gives it a wonderful oaky taste from the barrel aging. Each bottle is hand numbered and signed for quality control. Truly exquisite stuff. I was a bartender (I prefer mixologist) at a 5 diamond, 5 star Hotel in Dallas Tx. for 10 years. This tequila is not cheap, but worth springing as a surprise for that special guest who can appreciate that tequila doesn't necessarily need lime and salt and can be sipped. you can e-mail me through my profile page and I will be happy to share some ideas with you. Got a lot of experience with fine single malts, single barrels, Napoleon cognacs, fine cigars, etc.
My brother finished his basement before New Years and had bombshell party for the New Year and told me where he got the ideas for the different drinks and the entire bar setup. It might help you out, I'll leave a link
Good Luck!
http://bit.ly/fID2f5
Chambord, blue curacoa, maybe some creme de cacao or Tuaca. These add color and specific flavors for when you are really getting creative. For example add a little chambord to a traditional lemon drop for a little hint of raspberry. These are all liquors so you only need to use about a half ounce per drink. If you are trying to set up a well so you can make all the basic drinks you will need Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Brandy, Whiskey(Seagrams 7 is a good all around well whiskey), Triple Sec, Sweet and sour, Coke, Sprite Soda and tonic water, oj, cran juice, pineapple juice. Bourbon and scotch are optional extras. Sweet and sour is a must!!! So many drinks call for it. You can make your own but a gallon would take a lot of lemons and limes.
8 years of professional bartending
