Speaking Easy - A Cocktail Podcast   /     #103: Stocking a Home Bar - Bottle Recommendations - Speaking Easy - A Cocktail Podcast

This week Alex & Jordan answer a question we’ve gotten for our entire 2 years, and only ever answered in spurts: what bottle should I pick up? And we try to answer that question with a few of our favorite recurring bottles from our bars. Importantly, we focused on bottles that are for cocktails, not necessarily on their own, and in a price range that will keep them stocked. We also link to recipes for the cocktail we think are the best display of the spirits’ potential.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Our favorite bottles to keep stocked on our personal bars,
• How to use those bottles,
• Cocktails that best display the characteristics of the spirit, and
• What to look for when you hit the liquor store.

BASE SPIRITS

Whiskey

Rye-        

• Rittenhouse, 100 proof, 4 years, $25 (750ml) (Heaven Hill)
• Pikesville Straight Rye, 110 proof, 6 year old, $50 (750ml) (Heaven Hill)
• Old Overholt, 80 proof, 3 years old, $18 (750ml) (Jim Beam)
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Manhattan

Bourbon-

• Old Grand-Dad 114, 114 proof, NAS, $30 (750ml) (Jim Beam)
• Elijah Craig Small Batch, 94 proof, (formerly 12 yr), $35 (Heaven Hill)
• Buffalo Trace, 80 proof, NAS, $30 (750ml) (Buffalo Trace – Sazerac Company)
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Old Fashioned

Blended Scotch-

• Monkey Shoulder (blended), 80 proof, $30 (70cl) (3 distillery blend- Speyside)
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Rusty Nail

Rum

• Plantation 3 Star White Rum, 82.6 proof, $25 (750ml) (Blend of Jamaican, Trinadad, Barbados rums)
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Daiquiri
• El Dorado 8 Year (gold rum), 80 proof, $25 (750ml), (Demarara rum from Guyana)
• Appleton Estate Rare Blend – 12 Year Old, $35 (750ml), Jamaican
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Mai Tai
• Plantation OFTD Rum, 138 proof, $32 (750ml) Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana

Gin

• London Dry- Beefeater, 80 proof, $17 (750ml), London
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Martini
• American Dry- Bluecoat, 94 proof, $35 (750ml), Philadelphia Distilling
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Gin & Tonic (but don’t use below-average tonic!)
• Genever- Boomsma (jonge), 70 proof, $25, Dutch
• Old Tom- Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, 80 proof, $25 (750ml), London

Agave

• Espolon Blanco Tequila, 80 proof, $22 (750ml), Mexico
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Freshly-made Margarita
• Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, 84 proof, $38 (750ml), Mexico
  • Quintessential Cocktail: La Vida Mezcal (a smoky Negroni variation)

Brandy

• Copper and Kings American Craft Brandy, 90 proof, $28 (750ml), Louisville
• Courvosier VS Cognac, 80 proof, $25 (750ml), France
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Brandy Cobbler

Vodka

• Jordan’s opinion: “Still don’t care. Something with nice branding without paying extra for it.”
  • Quintessential Cocktail: Moscow Mule

MODIFIERS

Sweet Vermouth (1)-

• Dolin
• Carpano Antica Formula
• Punt e Mes

Dry Vermouth

• Dolin Dry

Liqueurs and Amaro

• Campari/Aperol
• Ginger Liqueur (Domain De Canton)
• Amaro Nonino

Bitters

• Angostura
• Peychaud’s
• Regan’s Orange #6
• Something experimental

Syrups (all homemade)

• Simple Syrup
• Turbinado Syrup
• Rock Candy Syrup: We have a recipe with our Mai Tai recipe
• Grenadine: Jordan’s recipe is still one of the best

Bar tools

• Shaker: OXO makes a fiiiiiine shaker
• Strainers (Hawthorne & mesh)
• Jigger
• Citrus peeler
• Muddler
• Bar spoon: Something that’s sturdy with nice balance like this one from Hiware
• Mixing glass: A yarai is a worthwhile investment for those who stir their drinks regularly
• Hand juicer: Stainless steel is easiest to clean (and very durable)
• Ice molds

The post Ep #103 – Stocking a Home Bar – Bottle Recommendations appeared first on Speaking Easy.