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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.

Public Comments

  1. Grey Goose Vodka is a must! (don't really drink the other stuff so i can't help you out there sorry)
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. 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