Here’s a look at what we’re working with. We’re fully aware that we have some gaping holes in our collection, and we’re working to fill them, but it’s a slow process since booze can be goddamn expensive. We’ll be adding to the gallery as we collect more bottles.
Anything marked DECEASED is a bottle that we had, drank, and decided we wouldn’t be replacing it for one reason or another. Usually, it’s just that we didn’t care for it, and there are too many types of alcohol to waste time and money on something we don’t enjoy!
If you’ve got a suggestion for something we ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE, let us know what it is and why it’s so awesome and we’ll add it to the shopping list.
One gaping hole you have is the Rangpur Lime Tanqueray. For making Gin and Tonics, it’s one of the best I’ve tried.
Nice blog you’ve got here buddy!
That’s a good call. We’ve been talking about beefing up the gins a bit. Plymouth and Old Raj are on the list, but we’ll definitely look into the Rangpur, too.
Hey Guys,
Nice cabinet! If you are looking to add to your gins, I have a suggestion.
I have been enjoying Old Tom style gins, particularly the Ransom Old Tom that David Wondrich collaborated on. Among other things it’s sweeter than a London Dry, and it’s perfect for an authentic Martinez. It’s also really nice in a “Fresh Martini”: http://localwineandspirits.com/NEW%20INFOSHEETS/RansomOldTomCocktails.pdf.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
-gene
Nice collection folks! I’m glad to see we’re not the only philadelphians with an over the top liquor cabinet. I’m going to second Old Tom Gin. Hayman’s is available in philly now for only $25ish and is extremely versatile. My current obsessions are Sotol and Orchard Apricot.
I’d never heard of Sotol before just now, but I do love mezcal…that sounds delicious. I’ll have to look into it. As for the Orchard Apricot, we ALMOST bought a bottle of it in Boston, but didn’t want to check a second bag of booze and have been looking for it ever since. Have you found it in Philly? Old Tom too…it’s marked as a luxury store item but I haven’t found it yet.
I’d love some tips if you’ve got them! (Jersey/Delaware are options too if we know we’ll find it when we get there)
I picked up my sotol and apricot at astor wine and spirits in nyc. I work up there occasionally, so I try to nab a few bottles whenever I do. I know that you can get hayman’s old tom at the stores on 13th and chestnut and 19th and chestnut.
To me sotol has an almost butterscotch aroma to it. It is so good. If you want to try it or the apricot, get in touch. The sotol makes a mean old fashioned with some boston bittahs and agave.
Awesome! Thanks so much, I will be keeping all this in mind!
I have two suggestions for liqueurs . First, I noticed that you do not have any amarettos. I would personally suggest Luxardo Amaretto [It can be hard to find at a local liquor store because they only release select casks every few years](http://www.drinkupny.com/Luxardo_Amaretto_p/s0512.htm?utm_source=Vinquire&utm_medium=WineFeed&utm_content=Luxardo+Amaretto+Di+Saschira+Liqueur&utm_campaign=base&v_traceback=c0928_2350_f0929_0044) which has a far smoother and complex flavor than Disarono.
Secondly, I would suggest another Italian liqueur called Strega. This is a digestive that has flavors a pronounced spearmint flavor with a slight anise finish. This liqueur is best paired with club soda for a simple cocktail, but also has historically been paired into numerous other herbal-based cocktails.
Those are great ideas. We’ve been keeping our eyes open for an amaretto that didn’t look like Disarono or $8 plastic bottle stuff for a while but have been coming up empty. Totally overlooked Luxardo, though! (we actually just picked up some Luxardo Amaro a couple weeks ago, we just need to buckle down and shoot all the new bottles)
As for the strega, I’ve been hearing that name forever but never thought to try it, now I just may have to. Thanks for the suggestions!
That looks like quite a nice collection to me. One of my next projects is to start building my own home speakeasy so to say.
Gents,
Great site. Just checking it out for the first time. What vermouth’s do you use? I am a fan of Antica Formula. It will re-event your arsenal of drinks like a classic Manhattan or a Satin’s Whiskers (thought I prefer the twist to make it a Satin’s Soul Patch using Bourbon vs. Gin). Just hit 100 bottles at my new home bar in Abu Dhabi (though a Californian by birth). If you are looking for some interesting additions, I recommend the Bend Distillery out of Oregon for some unique Gins and Vodkas. Also Monkey 47 Gin out of Germany is a fantastic gin which is making waves throughout Europe right now. Makes a mean Basil Smash…..
Keep up the great work!
Jeff
I’ve been hearing a lot about the Bend Distillery, I’ll definitely need to check that out at some point. As for the Vermouth, we both LOVE Carpano Antica, but have a hard time justifying buying so much of a non-shelf-stable liquor when it isn’t for a party at that price. We’ll just never get through a whole bottle at the rate we use vermouth. I should probably get over it and just drink more manhattans, but it’s a touch call for me. I also like Dolin sometimes, but we haven’t had that in a good long while.
jkfiction,
This is about a year late, but on the off chance you’re following this . . .
I’m a fellow resident of Abu Dhabi, with similar aspirations for a home bar. Have you been able to get Carpano Antica Formula in the UAE? I haven’t seen it for sale at any of the usual suspects (A&E, GMP, Spinney’s).
Matty
Matty,
I have not found it for purchase in the UAE. If you can get close to a hotel bar manager, there are a few places who stock it. I have been bringing mine from overseas on biz trips. Up to 150+ bottles now to include 30 types of bitters. I am actually launching my own brand o bitters (only 4 styles right now) iin the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for bombshellbitters.com to hit the www.
Drop me an email if you want catch up around town. My wife and I like to host cocktail evenings as well.
Cheers,
Jeff
I don’t have your email address. Is it hiding somewhere?
One of the other things I’ve had a hard time finding with any consistency in Abu Dhabi is rye whiskey. A few years ago several of the stores were stocking Wild Turkey’s rye, but that’s long gone. Even Barracuda has nothing more than Jim Beam.
Great website. A few suggested bottles:
Angostura Rum (from the bitters people)
I don’t really pretend to be an expert but I will say it is exceptionally smooth and singlehandedly convinced me to only make my daiquiris with dark rum after trying it out.
Larceny Bourbon by Heaven Hill
I wanted very badly to like bourbon but never found a palatable “beginner” bourbon until Larceny was suggested to me. A wheated bourbon, it is very smooth on its own and great in cocktails like a New Yorker or Whiskey Sour.
I’m sorely behind in updating this. It’s gotten to a point where we’re going to have to shoot a solid 50 bottles or so, soI keep putting it off. I’ve actually got a bottle of the Larceny, and it definitely isn’t bad!
If you like that, you should give W. L. Weller a try as well. It’s usually almost $10 cheaper, also wheated, and I like it a little better.
I’ll have to look into the rum, too. Thanks!
Nice collection, mine is pretty similar, actually. I’d definitely recommend Martin Miller Gin, preferably Westbourne Strength (90.4%). I use it in almost every gin drink I make, I’d also suggest Whitley Neill gin, African berries that seem to mix really well with home-made grenadine, for drinks involving both ingredients.
I’ve also become obsessed with genever, Bols and Bols Barrel aged are becoming widely available in my area, I believe it’s everywhere at this point. Give it a shot, I prefer it to Old Tom by a wide margin, it’s sipping gin(ish) for people who like whisky or cognac.
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