Well, let me tell you one thing, purchasing spirits in today’s day and age is nothing more than an everlasting pursuit of Pappy Van Winkle and a hole in your pocket. Get rid of such silly aspirations, stop impressing people with something that they will never be able to drink properly. Build yourself a collection of decently tasting bottles that won’t put a hole in your wallet.
Here is the list of carefully selected five bottles that will surely meet all your demands and wishes in the terms of alcohol you consume. They are like a Swiss army knife, versatile and functional without being pretentious. Finally, you have the chance to earn people’s respect by drinking something decent.
Start by buying yourself a bottle of Wild Turkey 101. Well, as you might guess from its name, the bottle contains 101 proof, cheap and tasty bourbon. No artificial additives, no nonsense – just plain and simple spirit that has a flavor of vanilla and spices without excessive marketing. This is your daily bottle of bourbon that you use to prepare Old Fashioned cocktails.
Next, you need a decent bottle of Scotch whisky that will allow you to introduce your friends to the world of malts. Blends of single malt whiskies are inferior products but Monkey Shoulder is here to teach people something different. Smooth and delicious to taste, it blends nicely into a Penicillin cocktail or can be simply enjoyed with a single ice cube.
There is no doubt that sometimes you need to drink your spirits with a serious attitude. In that case, Redbreast 12 Irish whiskey will suit you perfectly. Creamy and rich with complex taste, this whiskey is what you drink on philosophical nights or difficult days. It tastes really good without any additional additives and reminds you of a much pricier bottle.
Finally, you always need a decent bottle of rye whiskey that is great for cocktails. For that purpose, Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond is exactly what you need. Powerful enough to handle with bitter and vermouth, cheap and consistent enough to be appreciated by any bartender, this high proof rye will give you a fabulously tasting Manhattan cocktail.
As the final addition to your shelf, you can either choose a smoky Laphroaig 10 or a sweet Maker’s Mark. The former will certainly make all the boring people run out of your house while the latter will make you enjoy each sip you take. However, you should definitely try the peat first and then decide which one to buy.
Well, nobody needs fifty or hundred bottles sitting on the shelves and gathering dust. With five decent bottles, you will be able to try anything alcohol industry can offer in a versatile flavor range. So, go ahead and start building your shelf.