Be a Better Man in 30 Days | Day 9: Know The Essential Spirits For A Properly Stocked Bar
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Recently, while inspecting my collection of spirits, I found myself a bit disappointed at the state of affairs. By any standard measurement, I suppose it would be passable, but not befitting of a Gear Patrol crew member, much less a man who appreciates a fine drink or understands the meaning of a proper home bar. I jotted down my inventory for this article:
Knob Creek x 1, Basil Hayden’s x 1, Woodford Reserve x 1, Johnnie Walker Black x 2, r(1) x 1, Jim Bean x 1, Jack Daniels x 1, Glenmorangie 15 Year x 1, Glenlivet 18 Year x 1, Maestro Dobel Tequila x 1, Canadian Club 25 Year x 1, Crown Royal x 1, Disaronno x 1, Pernod Absinthe x 1, Bacardi 151 Rum x 1, 10 Cane Rum x 1, Tanqueray Gin x 1, Plymouth Gin x 1, Jose Cuervo 1800 x 2 (huh?), Kahlua x 1, Gray Goose x 1, Smirnoff x 1, Absolut 100 x 1 (seriously?), Red Wine x 6 (5 Malbecs, 1 Bordeaux), White x 3 (2 Reislings, 1 Cabernet Sauvignon), Champagne x 2, Hoegaarden x 2 Six Packs, Guinness x 1 Can
You might be saying, “hey that’s a pretty stout collection you’ve got going there,” but you (and I) would be woefully mistaken. What you see in the aforementioned collection goes against several principles of a well-stocked bar. In Day 9 of the 30 Days of Upgrades Initiative, we discuss the basic reason why and what essential spirits you do need to have a properly stocked bar.
Take Inventory and Learn BBCRGSTRaV
From nearly all my recent readings and understandings of what a properly stocked man’s bar should be, I seem to fail several practices. I’ve learned what makes a properly stocked bar is not how many differing categories of spirits you own, but rather the ingredients to prepare and mix several essential spirits and cocktails.
After (or while) reading this, take a mental or written inventory of the items currently gracing your liquor cabinet. You do have a cabinet dedicated to spirits, don’t you?. Follow this little acronym: BBCRGSTRaV. (pronounced: bee-bee-see-registrãve, or BBC Registrave… yes, I just made this up). Before you comment “WTF”, allow me to elaborate.
BBCRGSTRaV stands for: Bourbon, Brandy, Canadian Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Scotch, Tequila, Rye Whiskey, and Vodka. These are the essential “every-day” alcohols that will keystone your bar. Of course, you’ll want to substitute top shelf or higher caliber spirits in any of those categories to meet your preferences. I’m a Bourbon man myself, so I keep Knob Creek and Woodford Reserve, in full-ready complement.
Widely Available Well-Priced Suggestions
To note, a good bar doesn’t require expensive alcohol. It requires the right kind of alcohol. Below, I’ve put together some suggestion of widely available spirits most any liquor store will carry. They’re not guaranteed to be the best since tastes are highly subjective, but rather a general breakdown you can base your purchases off of. We’ll discuss a variety of essential drinks and bar accessories in later posts.
- Bourbon - Woodford Reserve ($35, for sipping), Knob Creek ($25, for yourself), Evan Williams ($12, for mixing)
- Brandy - E&J ($15), Korbel ($15)
- Canadian Whiskey - Canadian Club 6 Year ($14, for sipping), Pendleton ($20, for mixing)
- Rum (spiced, light) - Matusalem ($17), 10 Cane ($35, for sipping), Cruzan Estate Light Rum ($24)
- Gin - Gordon’s London ($10), Hendrick’s ($30)
- Scotch - Chivas Regal ($27, for mixing), Laphroaig 10 Year ($32, for drinking), Glenmorangie 18 Year ($125, for celebrating)
- Tequila - Herradura ($50, for sipping), Jose Cuervo 1800 Reposado ($24, for mixing)
- Rye Whiskey (<51% rye mash) - Thomas H. Handy or ri1 ($50, for sipping), Wild Turkey ($20, for mixing)
- Vodka - Smirnoff ($12, for mixing), Grey Goose ($30, for mixing), Abolut ($29, for sipping)
To purchase the above mentioned basic mixing spirits, you’re looking at a capital outlay of roughly $150. That’s not bad (about a few nights out) and there’s a strong likelihood you’ve got one or two of those spirits sitting around in your home already . The key thing to remember is that you want to cater your bar stock towards the drinks you enjoy drinking (and serving) most (e.g. Manhattans, Martinis, Gimlets, Scotch neat).
Accoutrement & Mixers
With the proper spirits in place, it’s time for you to consider what mixers you need. Below is a basic list of the essentials and ingredients to making a variety of drinks.
- Cracked Ice or Large Cubes (use this tray)
- Tonic Water
- Soda Water
- Sugar Syrup (or make by cooking the following blends over low heat until clear, then boiling for a minute - 2 Parts Water to 1 Part Sugar)
- Lemon and Lime
- Cointreau - an orange liqueur ($20)
- Dry Vermouth - Noilly Pratt ($8)
- Angostura Bitters ($6)
The Spirit of Spirits
Remember, the spirit of “having essential spirits” is the enjoyment of a drink, created by yourself, in the comfort of your own home. Your bar, or cabinet, should be a stronghold of those spirits you can rely on, like a good friend, to make you one (or two) drinks that turn an evening into an occasion, if only for a moment.
As a man, you’re always on the quest of advancement, but what are we without our constants? Experimenting is great, but you should know what you like to drink and how you like it prepared. If it’s a Gin & Tonic, so be it - just make sure it’s prepared properly, right down to the number of ice cubes. If it’s Scotch (with a splash), so be it - just make sure it’s your favorite brand that’s being poured. If it’s a Manhattan, so be it - just make sure you know how to make it.
Let’s continue the conversation. What other spirits to you consider essentials in a man’s home bar?
Tito's Handmade Vodka should be on your list. It is so good that you can just sip it at room temperature.
I will wholeheartedly echo the Tito’s vodka recommendation. Skip the grey goose altogether. You’re paying big bucks for a relatively mediocre product there. Remember also guys that buying a cart full of spirits, although it looks sexy on the shelf, doesn’t do a hell of a lot when it comes time to mix drinks. Spend some time learning classic cocktails the CORRECT way. Check out: http://smallscreennetwork.com/show/cocktail_spirit/
Robert Hess guides you through each cocktail and in no time you’ll be a real mixologist. Instead of buying the aforementioned libations, buy a few bottles at a time with the purpose of having a new cocktail. I hate to even have to mention this but fresh juices only, guys. Skip those cheap mixers.
My go to spirits:
# Bourbon - Buffalo Trace, Rittenhorse 100 proof RYE
# Brandy - Christian Brothers or Remy Cognac (both for mixing sidecars)
# Rum Cruzan Estate Light Rum, Black Seal, 10 Cane
# Gin - Tanqueray, Citadelle, Plymouth
# Scotch - Laphroaig 10 Year, Lagavulin 16 yr.
# Tequila - Herradura, Gran Centenario, SKIP the cuervo garbage.
# Vodka - Tito’s Vodka or Absolute Peppar for bloody marys
# Bitters - Peychauds Bitters, Angostura Bitters, Fee Brothers Orange Bitters
# Other Liqueurs: Campari, Pernod, Pimms, Cointreau
Thanks for the great article!!
Gin has suffered from wanton neglect since the transition from jazz to rock 'n' roll. Though the above-listed suggestions are more than sufficient, I find that Hendrick's - superb as it is with its peculiar cucumber aromatic - is limited in application to understated cocktails like the classic Moscow Mule. For that quintessential juniper bite, I nominate either Martin Miller's ($30 per 750ml) or the ubiquitous but satisfying Bombay Sapphire ($20 per 750ml).
Eben, sounds like you know your way around gin. I can admit to only limited knowledge of the spirit, much of my experience being relegated only to my love of gin gimlets. Perhaps you'd consider sharing some of that knowledge in a brief article for the Gear Patrol readers (?). (http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/)
I haven't had Martin Miller's myself, but I can attest that a Bombay Sapphire makes for a perfect mixing drink.
you're crazy to spend more than $20 on anything that you're going to mix. Now something to drink straight, like a scotch is another story. I also love the idea of having a really great scotch on hand for those times to celebrate… promotions, getting that big deal, engagements, kids, etc.
Outside of the concept of a fully stocked bar, having a great bottle of scotch of bourbon, to me, is a requisite of any man.
+1 on the mention of 10 cane rum; great stuff and awesome label/packaging.
+1 on the mention of 10 cane rum; great stuff and awesome label/packaging.
+1 on the mention of 10 cane rum; great stuff and awesome label/packaging.
How do people prefer to store their alcohol? In the bottle or in a decanter?
I have always just stored it in a bottle at room temp, but i've been meaning to try a decanter for my scotch.
Eric..
Glad to see your a fan of Woodford Reserve. My wife's family horse farm is about 3 miles from distillery. Beautiful place. If ever in Lexington or Louisville KY you must visit. Bookers and Bakers is pretty darn good as well. For the best ever though, if you can score a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 y/o Bourbon. you have hit the holy grail.
I do love my Kentucky Bourbons (despite being from Tennessee). I'm known to even take a small bottle with me on vacations. Perhaps I'll have that Pappy 23 year one of these days… if I'm so lucky.
Good to find another Gin drinker in the ranks. Martin Miller's is definitely the poison of choice for those craving that "gin" like taste. Not for casual G&T drinkers though.
Millers is great as is plymouth, no. 209 is great for negroni's, and citadelle makes a damn fine G&T.
grey goose and absolute vodkas? your sipper should be more like Ketel One at least. Absolute is much more of a mixer.
I totally agree on every man having Scotch and / or Bourbon. I also stock Irish Whiskey.
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While laphroaig is my personal favourite scotch, it is a peculiar and distinctive one. Many prefer a more mainstream alternative such as Glenlivit as their standard bar sipper. If you really want an outstanding scotch in your inventory, you must have the Macallan. 12 years will do, but the gold standard is the 18. As a Canadian, I would suggest your stick with Canadian Club for mixing, but can assure you that sippers tend to prefer Crown Royal here. As for vodka, I'd suggest Absolut for mixing and Stoli for sipping (from the freezer, of course).
Thanks for the article.
Brian and I both got a chance to taste some Ardmore 25 year and Laphroaig 30 year recently at an event for Gear Patrol and I must attest, they are some incredible drinks. Granted, it'll probably be a long while before I'm able to afford them of my own volition, but it further ratifies my love for Laphroaig.
Thudonkey - you might, if you ever get the chance, try out Canadian Club 30 year, which we reviewed here. Heads up that its almost $200 though.
Brian and I both got a chance to taste some Ardmore 25 year and Laphroaig 30 year recently at an event for Gear Patrol and I must attest, they are some incredible drinks. Granted, it'll probably be a long while before I'm able to afford them of my own volition, but it further ratifies my love for Laphroaig.
Thudonkey - you might, if you ever get the chance, try out Canadian Club 30 year, which we reviewed here. Heads up that its almost $200 though.
Bourbon for the masses good sir…
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