Help me stock my liquor cabinet

[MikeFlynn74]

Mike_Flynn- I did elaborate. In a nutshell, the darker colored tequilas are aged in charred oak barrels and oak isn't a flavor that really seems to compliment a fruit drink.

You dont get any oak flavor with 1800 Reposado IMO. Its a much better tequila to mix with than many others while still being realtively cheap.

 

[Danny013]

Lots of good info in here, I've got my own list to go out and try...

Gin is my favorite spirit so I figured I'd throw out my thoughts/preferences, too. I like Bombay and Tanqueray - I prefer Tanqueray though, but it does have a little bit of a 'burn' to it and a slightly harsh juniper flavor. Goes great in a G&T, but is a little much for a martini. I like the Bombay in a martini, but I find it tends to get lost in a G&T.

Hendricks is good, but a bit pricey and too much of a "boutique" gin for my tastes. I tend to think it is a gin for people who prefer vodka.

My hands down favorite gin, however, is Plymouth. Nice and smooth with a good balance of aromatics and a nice juniper flavor. Not too overpowering, though not too cloying either. Goes great in a G&T and is just as good in a martini.

The only thing better than a G&T is a G&T with a lime, though .

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

You dont get any oak flavor with 1800 Reposado IMO. Its a much better tequila to mix with than many others while still being realtively cheap.

Oh. I thought it was aged in oak. Maybe it's just caramel color though...

 

[MikeFlynn74]

hrmm. their wesite says rested 6 months in french and american oak barrels

 

[RadicalEd]

I tried most of them last night (*hic) and here's my tasting notes (all on the rocks):

Bulleit: just a hint of sweet with a strong spicyness. Different from what I had expected but I like it a lot! (I also love the bottle. Cork top is classy)
Mt Gay: Very very light flavor; just a hint of a sweet molasses smell and it disperses on ice. Wish it was a bit stronger...
Tanqueray: My first gin. Very smooth, but kinda stuck me as similar to licking an evergreen. It grew on me as I drank, though.
1800: Very light flavor, kinda dissapointed. Was hoping for a little more agave oomph. Very sippable, though.
Svedka: Superior to Smirnoff, for what it's worth. Definitely worth the buck over Smirnoff. This one'll be a fine mixer, but just isn't quite up to sippin' standards.

 

[Brakeman_Brewing]

No scotch yet? :cross:

 

[RadicalEd]

Naw, the Meijer didn't have anything that was really noteworthy, so I'm holding off on that until I make it into the better liquor stores.

 

[fusion94]

Naw, the Meijer didn't have anything that was really noteworthy, so I'm holding off on that until I make it into the better liquor stores.

I know that single malt scotches are a personal thing and I know that those of us that really appreciate them can be kind of snobs in regards to it but here are my .02 worth.

I'm a huge fan of the Islay Single Malts whether it's Lagavulin ($65-$70) or Laphroaig ($30-$60).

Lagavulin has been described as the aristocrat of Islays. It has an unmistakable, powerful, peat-smoke aroma. Described as being robustly full bodied, well-balanced and smooth with a slight sweetness on the palate.

Laphroaig has a hint of sherry that quickly gives way to the Islay intensity and distinctively oily body with a big peaty-smoky flavour. A round, dry and warming finish renders Laphroaig the perfect night-cap.

Now these aren't cheap but they are worth the price. I generally have a bottle of each in my liquor cabinet.

Now if those are out of your price range I'd recommend getting a bottle of Finlaggan. Finlaggan can be had at Trader Joe's in California for about $17.00 a bottle. The taste of is somewhere in-between Lagavullin and Laphroaig and the rumour is that it's actually an 8 year old Lagavullin. I can confirm that it does have some of the same flavour qualities. It's my everyday single malt due to the price and has the best taste (for my tastes) of any single malt I've had priced under $30.00. There's a reason I have 7 bottles of it in my wine cellar.

 

[RadicalEd]

Wow, I'll trek on down to Joe's, then! They have a pretty decent beer selection too.

 

[ScubaSteve]

TJ's beer is crazy cheap too...which is an added benefit.

On another note, I know you're looking to expand your personal collection....but any single guy in his 20's should probably keep some Sailor Jerry around

50% of the time.....it works every time......

 

[MikeFlynn74]

http://www.tequilas.info/english/tarantula.htm

Cant forget this one. Tarantula Tequila Azul

 

[zoebisch01]

Cruzan light Rum is excellent.

 

[kornkob]

Item of note: refridgerate Vermouth.

 

[Greggy]

I like the other suggestions, but try to get yourself a 750 of citadelle gin. It sells fro $22 at the store I work at. It's a very complex gin and is great in martinis or G&T's, but is also tasty on the rocks.

 

[TerapinChef]

+1 on Trader Joes, you can usually pick up some fun wines while you're there too..
and I love Appletons! I haven't had it in so long, I kinda have laid off the booze since I started brewing and sampling beers. I was a huge fan of the Jim Beam (preferred over Jack for being a bit smokier and not as sweet) and I've been known to love on a bottle of Patron from time to time. Never been a big gin drinker but I keep trying it, just to make sure.

RadicalEd where are you shopping? I"m here in SE Michigan, and we can get our hands on just about anything...

 

[Soulive]

If you have it in your area, get New Amsterdam gin. It is a very good value IMO. My gin of choice is Hendrick's, but the New Amsterdam is definitely worth the money...

 

[RadicalEd]

I'm in Ann Arbor now, but I'll be moving in a few days to the St. Joseph area for a summer internship. I'll definitely believe that all those liquors are available here, it's just a matter of finding them .

 

[RadicalEd]

Reporting back:

Found Tito's and McClellend's at one of the local liquor stores; haven't tried the Tito's but the McClellend's (Speyside) is tasty, if perhaps a little sharp. Certainly acceptable considering the budget.

I hit up Trader Joe's the other day, but sadly it look like my local one doesn't have a liquor area. I'm jealous of you California types .

 

[RodfatherX]

I'm just gonna add.....to add

Vodka -stoli/or if I'm poor that week svedka(which is a very good vodka for $12 for 750ml

American whiskey -George Dickle or Buffalo Trace

Rum -not a big fan cruzan is decent though

tequila -yuck

Gin - Bombay Sapphire unless its for gin and tonics then just go with heaven hill or something cheap.

scotch - I went to a scotch tasting event where I got to taste a 5 different Macallan vintages. One was a 50 year old that cost $3000 a bottle and I must say.....I was not a fan of any of them especially the 50 y/o. (don't ask how I got to go for free)

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Stock it? pfffffft!

Ask me to help you empty it and we are talkin'.

Beer, Sake, Rum, and Vodka.

The 4 food groups of fermentation.

 

[Stratotankard]

If you can find it El Tesoro de Don Filipe Anejo is a very nice smooth drinking tequila with a long name. The big bottle shop in North Dakota used to stock it for around $40 a bottle, but I've seen it as low as $27.

Cheers

Terje

 

[RoaringBrewer]

Related to this topic, so thought I'd post here:

Tequila's 'Coming of Age' per MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24407985/