starting list for adequately stocked home bar

[pcguy]

I am by no means an expert on mixology so bear with me here...

In an effort to start and keep a reaonably stocked home bar here is what I have @ this time. Please let me know if there is something I need to add to this, in order to make most drink requests for social gatherings.

Bar inventory

rums-
zaya grand reserve
ron zacapa centenario 23 anos
el dorado 15 yr
santa teresa 1796
goslings old rum
cruzan black strap navy rum
matusalem grand reserve
ron pampero anniversario
ron centenario fundacion XX anos
ron centenario commemorativo
rum barbancourt 15 yr estate reserve
flor de cana 12 yr
foursquare spiced
captain morgans tattoo
captain morgans spiced rum

vodka-

skyy blue
iceberg

gin-

tanquerey london dry gin


bourbon-

woodfords reserve
crown royal

scotch-

belvenie double barrel single malt 12 yr


liquers-

hiram walker triple sec
hiram walker creme de cacao
hiram walker creme de menthe
hiram walker peppermint schnapps
hiram walker blue curacoa
hiram walker orange curacoa
agnosticora bitters
Kamora
Bailey's irish creme
cruzan Rum Cream
cointreau
rum jumbie

cognac-

Louis XIII
Courvoisier VSOP

cachaca-
Ypiocas dos anos gran reserva

juices-
Orange, grapefruit, lime, lemon, pineapple,Apple, and grape
Fresh Limes

Simple Syrups-
Home made Demerera pure cane sugar syrup
Orgeat syrup

Vermouth-
Rinata sweet, and rinata dry vermouth

Soda-
Tonic water
club soda
ginger beer
coke
ginger ale
sprite

beers-
Dos eqius XXX
Saint Pauli girl
Guiness extra stout
Heineken
Budweiser

[RobertBurr]

nice list. I'd be pleased to join you at that bar.

I recommend the Remy Extra cognac at about a fourth of the price of the Remy Louis XIII and only twice the price of Remy XO.

Oronoco, Don Q Cristal and Matusalem Clasico for making light rum cocktails. Appleton 12 and 21, Diplomatico ER, Barcelo Imperial, Angostura 1824, Doorly's XO, Centenario Fundacion XX, Cruzan Single Barrel, Cubany 12, Flor De Caсa 18, Prichard's and Viscaya.

Must haves: Santa Teresa Orange and Araku coffee liqueurs.

For proper ti punch, keep a bottle of Clement VSOP or Rhum JM VSOP, Neisson or La Favorite Vieux.

Throw in a couple of good rum creams form Demerara and Castries and you can rest.

[pcguy]

nice list. I'd be pleased to join you at that bar.

I recommend the Remy Extra cognac at about a fourth of the price of the Remy Louis XIII and only twice the price of Remy XO.

Oronoco, Don Q Cristal and Matusalem Clasico for making light rum cocktails. Appleton 12 and 21, Diplomatico ER, Barcelo Imperial, Angostura 1824, Doorly's XO, Centenario Fundacion XX, Cruzan Single Barrel, Cubany 12, Flor De Caсa 18, Prichard's and Viscaya.

Must haves: Santa Teresa Orange and Araku coffee liqueurs.

For proper ti punch, keep a bottle of Clement VSOP or Rhum JM VSOP, Neisson or La Favorite Vieux.

Throw in a couple of good rum creams form Demerara and Castries and you can rest.

I know I am light to non existant on light rums, and will look into the santa teresa orange and araku coffee liqueurs. Also the 2 rum creams.
I won't be easily pouring that Louis XIII for just anyone :)

[RumBarPhilly]

For rums, Id throw in some Oronoco and maybe Tortuga White to round out some whites for you. I think you could use a hand on your vodkas. Get yourself a bottle of Ketel One, smoothest vodka Ive ever drank.

[Matusalem]

Robert covered everything. Remy Extra is definitely a more user friendly purchase. The glassware for the Louis (I'm told) is roughly $450 or more. I've also heard that Louis isn't necessarily that much older nor exquisite, but is a different blend of similar calibers of cognac reserves. To me, that reads, unless you're a glass enthusiast that prefers the Louis blend, then...

While I'm told Diageo is holding a sizable stock of some very well aged, highly sought after defunct bourbon that is said to be for the purpose of Crown Royal's blend, just to be accurate, Crown Royal is Canadian whiskey, and somewhere between quite a bit off to perhaps simply more so restricted by law from being described as true bourbon.

You've got a nice selection listed there. "Kamora" is a coffee concoction, right? Pretty sure that's a brand of coffee liqueur that I have and used a few times. Because I don't know (completely unfamiliar with "Araku coffee liqueurs"), was wondering if Robert's recommendation here is because the brand / item blows away others, or if he was saying you needed at least 1 coffee liqueur, over looking the one you listed?

[pcguy]

It's funny you mention the Louis and it's rivals. I purchased the XIII on the recomendations of others, only to discover I really don't care for cognac LOL...

While the cost is quite steep, I just cant hang with the whole fermented grapes thing. For one reason or another, I really dont like it. Same goes for scotch, dont like that either :)

[Dood]

You have Tanqueray gin but not 10? Blasphemer!

You might want to try to get your hands on some gin from Aviation as well.

[Tiare]

Your bar selection looks great!:)

I would also add Appleton 12, St James hors dґage (pair for Mai Tais)
Oronoco
Appleton VX
JW&N 151

For tiki drinks:
Lemon Hart Jamaican
Lemon Hart demerara 151 (Guyana)
Coruba dark

Allspice syrup
Cinnamon syrup
Falernum
Blood orange bitters

[Lew Barrett]

I'm a recent convert to Zacapa 15, but as you're focused in the right place (rum) who's to complain?

I recommend Kelt VSOP as another interesting cognac option. Expensive enough to be special, cheap enough to be affordable.

I've never had any super premium vodkas, usually getting stuff like Skyy and Grey Goose but to tell the truth, I don't get vodka. Makes me shutter. Maybe I need some "real" stuff to "learn me." I find I prefer my Screwdrivers without vodka, and the same for my Bloody Marys. The vodka ruins the orange juice:D Gin and tonic on the other hand, is a drink invented by a genius.

[Dood]

If you're looking for a decent vodka drink, I highly recommend Grey Goose L'Orange and tonic.

[RobertBurr]

The Best Super-Luxury Vodka: V6 by Henry Kasparow in New Port Richie, Florida at his Empire Winery and Distillery. Made from rye by a master distiller.

He also makes the world's best mead - absolutely incredible - made from high quality orange blossom honey. He makes notable lemon, lime and orange flavored rums as well.

Henry and his family bring old world expertise to the new world, keeping his 14 copper pot stills busy making great liquors.

[RobertBurr]

It's funny you mention the Louis and it's rivals. I purchased the XIII on the recomendations of others, only to discover I really don't care for cognac LOL...

While the cost is quite steep, I just cant hang with the whole fermented grapes thing. For one reason or another, I really dont like it. Same goes for scotch, dont like that either :)

Cognac was originally a reduction of wine, made to travel better and stay fresh longer without spoiling. It was meant to have water added back in at it's final destination before drinking. Eventually, some folks learned to like it straight, which is to say very concentrated. It's an acquired taste, but the essential qualities are its strength and complexity of the blend. Sip a very small amount of it slowly, tiny sips, and let the flavors linger on your palette.

I often find that ordering a fine cognac in a bar, I am poured too much. The bartenders no doubt think they're doing me a favor - it is expensive - but I prefer to enjoy great cognacs in relatively small doses.

[Edward Hamilton]

For proper ti punch, keep a bottle of Clement VSOP or Rhum JM VSOP, Neisson or La Favorite Vieux.


Actually a proper ti punch is made with rhum agricole blanc. To make one with old rhum is call a punch vieux.

[RobertBurr]

I stand corrected on the ti punch Ed. I'm still waiting for my supply of good cane syrup to be shipped before making them a habit.