What's in your 12 bottle case?

[Ambulance Chaser]

Inspired by this survey of spirits enthusiasts, I thought I would create my own list of 12 essential bottles I would keep in my home bar if I had to limit myself:

1. Aviation Gin

2. Ransom Old Tom Gin

3. Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac

4. Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey

5. Macallan 18 Single-Malt Scotch

6. Combier Orange Liqueur

7. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

8. Gran Classico Bitters

9. Green Chartreuse Liqueur

10. Rothman & Winter Creme de Violette Liqueur

11. Averna Amaro

12. Dolin Rouge Vermouth

I own all the bottles except for the Macallan 18, which is cost-prohibitive. This selection gives me the ability to make a wide variety of cocktails I like. I might improve the rye and the cognac to give me additional options to drink neat.

What are your essentials?

 

[SD1]

Laphroaig 10 or quarter cask

Campari

Aperol

Lillet

Bombay Sapphire

Corsair gin

Maxim's gin

Palm Ridge whiskey

Angostura bitters

Rivata dry vermouth

Siesta Key rum

Van Gogh espresso vodka (for my wife)

 

[kwilkinson]

Very new to spirits, but
Hendricks gin
Bombay saphire
Willett single barrel bourbon
Evan williams (for cocktails)
Myers dark rum
Cointreau
Aperol
Campari
dry vermouth
Sweet vermouth
Angostura bitters
Orange bitters

 

[JohnGalt]

Aberlour 16
Aberlour A'bunadh
Hendrick's
Grey Goose
Ron Zacapa xo
Dolin dry vermouth
Le Fee absinthe
Macallan 25
Eagle Rare 17
Johnny Walker black label
Patron burdeos
Home made limoncello

 

[Bhowie]



Very new to spirits, but
Hendricks gin
Bombay saphire
Willett single barrel bourbon
Evan williams (for cocktails)
Myers dark rum
Cointreau
Aperol
Campari
dry vermouth
Sweet vermouth
Angostura bitters
Orange bitters

I'd swap out a gin for chartreuse. Evan Williams for a really peaty scotch. I'd think I'd also drop the orange bitters and cointreau, not sure for what though.

 

[kwilkinson]

Cilantro Soju? I'm not man enough to drink peaty scotch.

 

[Thomas]

Hmmm, interesting exercise. I'll start with what I know and like and see if I get to 12.

BTW: is this personal consumption or am I expected to entertain others?

Plymouth Gin
George T. Stagg
Eagle Rare
Yamazaki 12
Macallan cask strength
Zacapa 23
Plantation XO

after that - you're on your own.

 

[Bhowie]



Cilantro Soju? I'm not man enough to drink peaty scotch.

You can use the peaty scotch in place of mescal or other smoky spirits to make really savory cocktails.

 

[Piobaire]

Balvenie 21 y/o Port wood aged
Wisers 18
Hendrick's Gin
TIto's Vodka
Antiqua Formula sweet Vermouth
Vya dry Vermouth
Applestone Estate 30 rum
Milagro anejo tequila
Grand Marnier Cuvée du Centenaire
Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
Velvet Tango Room bitters
Louis Tres

 

[Hoke Harden]

Guys, I am pleased that my original articles inspired you to come up with your own lists, and good for you for running with the idea. However, a little gentle chiding: you were supposed to make comments about why you would make certain selections, or to give some backstory about why certain things are in your case. That said, once again, thanks for the input.

Regards, Hoke Harden

 

[rgarteteach]

You can use the peaty scotch in place of mescal or other smoky spirits to make really savory cocktails.