FAQs
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For each category, I’ve provided three options:
An “everyday” option
A “top-shelf”
Something “unique”
These are the things that matter most to me when stocking my home bar.
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An “everyday” option is something reasonably affordable that can be used to make (or is) a nice drink. This option should also be easy to find, and be a faithful representation of the spirit (unique options like a wine barrel finished whisky can be more difficult to mix in cocktails, and more divisive in taste).
What’s difficult about this category?
Bourbon prices vary significantly from place to place
What is “affordable” to one person may not be to another.
A “faithful representation” of a spirit is very subjective (though, I think fairly intuitive)
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For the top-shelf options, the primary consideration is taste (not price). While the price of top-shelf options is higher than the “everyday” selections, it’s not always significantly more.
What makes this category difficult is:
The spirits can be difficult to find (especially at a reasonable price)
The spirits are more divisive (something expensive does not necessarily mean it suits your palate)
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The primary criteria for unique selections is that they differ significantly from the classical expression of the spirit. For example, heavily oaked Texas bourbons are unique compared to the traditional onesf from Kentucky. Likewise, spirits finished in other barrels (e.g., wine) can be unique.
What makes this category difficult is:
These spirits can be very divisive
The spirits can be more difficult to find, or limited releases
Bourbons (Cocktails)
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Woodford Reserve
Woodford is an excellent general purpose bourbon for cocktails, and can often be found for a reasonable price. What makes it great is how well it mixes with other ingredients without fighting the flavors.
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Four Roses (SB/SBS)
The single barrel and small batch select Four Roses products are among my favorites for making a “top shelf” cocktail. Their higher proof point comes with some more interesting flavors (compared to something like Woodford). When I think of an Old Fashioned, I think Four Roses.
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Garrison Brothers Small Batch
Garrison Brothers creates some of my favorite unique Bourbons. The Texas head produces some incredibly unique oak/tobacco/leather flavors that are a unique experience compared to the traditional Kentucky products. It’s the core part of my favorite cocktail, the Hye Tea Old Fashioned
Bourbons (Straight)
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Henry McKenna 10y Bottled in Bond
McKenna 10 is a great place to start for a sipping bourbon with it’s 100 proof point and reasonable price point. This one is incredibly sweet, making it easy to drink and enjoy.
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Stagg
No bourbon compares to Stagg for me. It’s the best single pour I’ve tried to date. Its popularity makes it hard to find, and when you can, the secondary market prices are absurd. Is it worth 5-6 bottles of Henry McKenna? No. Do I have a bottle? Yes.
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Garrison Brothers Balmorhea
Back to Hye Texas for another Garrison Brothers Bourbon. The Balmorhea is one of my favorite pours. While still incredibly oak forward, there’s a large amount of brown sugar/molasses note that I really enjoy.
Whiskies (Unique)
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Westward (Pinot Noir Cask Finished)
The Pinot Noir cask finished Westward is my current favorite wine finished whisky.
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Barrell Seagrass
Barrell Seagrass is an incredibly interesting finished rye whisky. It has some incredibly unique fruit notes like apricot that I have not had anywhere else
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Balcones Single Malt
The Balcones Single Malt is another great option for a Texas whisky. It has a great expression of oak coming from aging in the Texas heat which I particularly enjoy.
Scotch
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Macallan 12
A generally pleasing highland Scotch.
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Glenlivet 15 French Oak
A step above the Macallan 12 for me. A smoother, more rounded finish, with a nice oak finish.
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Lagavulin 16
A very divisive Islay Scotch. Some people love the peat/smokiness. At a 16 year age point, it’s smoother than some of the other options at a slightly lower price point (e.g., a Laphroaig 10 or Ardbegh 10).