Whiskey Advice

[Aggie]

I'm working on putting together the bar list for my wedding reception in October, and trying to choose brands.  Rum, vodka, gin and all the beer is well under control because I drink these often enough to know my brands, and I have enough of a passing interest in Canadian whiskey to get the rye settled as well.


But what other whiskey should I stock?  I'd like to pick up a bottle or two of Scotch for those who might ask for it, but I have no clue what a passable brand at a reasonable price might be.  Doesn't have to be the best or even the better (that stuff gets PRICEY quick!), but something drinkable. 


Could also use some suggestions of what the least offensive 'cheap' tequila is - I'm definitely limiting supplies of tequila (damage control) but I know the crowd and I'd like to have at least ONE bottle on hand.  It's probably going to get shot anyways, so quality is less important here.


_{I also have no clue of what brand of white rum to get, but honestly I don't care because it'll serve them right for not drinking the nice Appleton Estate I'm getting as my main rum, or at least sticking to vodka (Stoli).} 

[Bluenose]

If the scotch is to be used as a mixer, any brand bottled in Scotland should do fine, even Johnny Walker red label.   If you want to have something better, for those who drink their scotch straight or with water or ice, then although a single malt would always be appreciated, I would go for one of the premium blended scotches such as Dimple Haig or Chivas Regal. If you really feel the need to go the malt option I would recommend Glen Livet, most scotch drinkers would be more than happy with that and it is not as astronomically priced as many.

If you do go the option of the premium blended or single malt, make sure your serving staff know that these ones are not for mixing, it is a criminal waste to put good scotch into a glass of Coke!

For white rum, go with Bacardi.

[Kiyoodle the Gambrinous]

I agree with Bluenose in several points:

For mixing - Johnie Red Label is good enough and not too expensive. You can even drink it pure, but it's not as good.

Pure drinking - Chivas is the perfect thing, not way too expensive, but not a cheap brand. If you decide not only to purchase Scottish brands, I can recommend Jameson, Tullamore Dew and/or Jack Daniels. They're all very good and most accessible. Finding not too expensive single malt is not very easy, but Glen Livet should be just fine. Glenfiddich is also a very good one. And never mix single malt, as Bluenose said. It's a crime!

Tequila - Olmeca. Can't go wrong there. But don't get Sierra Tequilla, that one's just bad.... Here's a good site, where you can find a good overall view of best tequilas to use for shots: http://cocktails.about.com/od/spirits/tp/top_tqla_brnd.htm
Personally, I recommend Olmeca Gold with oranges and cinnamon.

Rum - Bacardi is probably the best one from the not very expensive brands. Havana Club is also not too bad.

Vodka - Stoli is good, but I'd also recommend Finlandia. Probably one fo the best out there, My favourite back in the days where I could still stand vodka...

[Aggie]

Thanks for the advice, guys.  I'll check into prices on Chivas, Glen Livet and Glenfiddich, but that's about the level I'm aiming for.

Not sure if I get Olmeca tequila here, but I'll check (also I have a friend who worked in Mexico I can ask).  Just want to avoid Jose Cuervo, irrationally.  If I had a bigger budget or was going to be drinking more tequila myself, I'd get something really good - I prefer to sip tequila and shoot something less tasty.  Hmm... should get some calvados, too.

Wouldn't waste Havana Club money on white rum (now, their dark stuff is worth it - I'm glad Canada plays nice with Cuba), but I was considering going with Lamb's or Cap'n Morgans for the white instead of Bacardi because it's cheaper and I have an irrational contempt for white rum (and I don't like even darker Bacardi, except their really well-aged stuff).  Are these too nasty to consider?  The price difference is negligible ($2 a bottle).

Finlandia's good vodka too - used to be our house vodka at the restaurant I worked at.  I'll have to check prices, but I know at least one (Ukrainian) guest who likes her Stoli.  I think Stoli's slightly cheaper, but that's a non-issue for the vodka.  I'm drinking some Moskovskaya right now that I'm not impressed with; I thought I'd try it because it looks pretty similar to Stoli - WRONG.  While we're on vodka, any opinions on Wyborowa?  I had a bottle a while back and it was pretty good.  Could be another option.  So I have to pick my country of origin I guess.

Probably going with Canadian Club for the rye whiskey (because it's OK if not exceptional, and it's on sale for $18 a bottle right now).  Most people who drink their whiskey mixed will drink rye (hey, it's Canada - that's our native liquor).  My barstaff are hired professionals and should know what gets used for what.  Mostly the Scotch is for certain uncles and various rogues.



Actually, I have another whiskey dilemma....  when I was born, or shortly after, my grandfather gave me a bottle of Wiser's Oldest 18 Year Old Canadian Whiskey bottled in 1963.  My grandfather passed on a few years back, so I don't know whether it's best to have a drink in his honour at the wedding or to save it to hand down to my son or grandson.  I want to save it but I think my dad (his son) wants to open it.  What do you think?

[Bluenose]

Well, whiskey does no improve in the bottle, all the aging is done in the barrel.  So keeping it will not make it better, although it won't make it worse either.  So the thing is really a question of sentiment.  How you feel about it is the thing to consider.  I say if you want to keep it, then keep it.  OTOH, if you want to drink, do that!

[Aggie]

Well, whiskey does no improve in the bottle, all the aging is done in the barrel.  So keeping it will not make it better, although it won't make it worse either.  So the thing is really a question of sentiment.  How you feel about it is the thing to consider.  I say if you want to keep it, then keep it.  OTOH, if you want to drink, do that!

Yeah, the age is more of a novelty than having any intrinsic value.  I'll talk to my dad about it, because if he'd really like to have it at the wedding, I don't mind.  OTOH, I could plausibly wait until it's 100 years old to enjoy it... IF I'm still alive and drinking!

[Kiyoodle the Gambrinous]

I would advice you to drink it at the wedding, but only with your closest ones, in memory to you grandfather. I wouldn't "waste" it on all the other guests.

But, it's probably a thing how you feel it. Maybe have a glass with your family in a closed company before the actual ceremony, or something similiar.

[Aggie]

I would advice you to drink it at the wedding, but only with your closest ones, in memory to you grandfather. I wouldn't "waste" it on all the other guests.

But, it's probably a thing how you feel it. Maybe have a glass with your family in a closed company before the actual ceremony, or something similiar.

Yeah, that's what I would do... only at the head table, and with Dad's side of the family.  And keep the leftovers for family gatherings only I think. 

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

I'm (apparently) late and most of what I would have said has been already (JW Red => cheap/decent, Chivas =>better). On rum, I bought the older Bacardi to avoid waste on my beloved (and hard to get here) Havana club. On the vodka side, Stoli is definitively good on the price/quality side, now if you could get Kubanskaya... BTW I tried Grey Goose and was positively surprised.

[Aggie]

I've heard good things about Grey Goose, but not enough of a vodka connoisseur to justify it.  I AM eyeing up Cruzan (rum) which has been recommended to me...  has anyone tried it? 

(not for the bar!  But I wouldn't mind trying to get the parents off of Lemon Hart; when Mom drinks, she tolerates rum best.  Dad'll drink just about anything.... )

[Darlica]

Oooh, my line of work!

The beer suggestions sounds good especially with the the budget in mind. Otherwise as a really good Czech beer I would recommend Zlatopramen or Gambrinous.
   
Famous Grouse is another cheap but passable whisky, I'll personally take that or even Johnny Walker Black Label over Chivas Regal any day... But that's just me.
But I do think Glen Livet is the best choice if you have guests that enjoys a whisky as a avec after dinner, it's more complex and full-bodied than the others.

Calvados may be a good idea too, make sure to buy a nice aged one though, Apple flavoured gasoline makes nobody happy. 

Appleton Estate and reasonable price in the same post!!! I got to visit Canada!

White Rum go with Bacardi, it's OK not great but works well in drinks, just avoid Bacardi Lemon, Razz and Mellon...

Vodka I have no idea... I don't drink that stuff. *shudder*

As for your old whisky, drink it with the close ones at your wedding and toast for your granpa, I'm sure he would have liked it that way, and get your dad to buy another bottle of whisky or cognac for your first born...

[Aggie]

Calvados may be a good idea too, make sure to buy a nice aged one though, Apple flavoured gasoline makes nobody happy. 

Appleton Estate and reasonable price in the same post!!! I got to visit Canada!

Recommendations on the calvados?  I've only had one brand I think, but there are 2 or 3 available here.

As for Appleton Estate and reasonable....   ALL Canadian alcohol is ridiculously expensive (taxes, mostly), but the good news is that the better brands aren't much more than the cheap ones.

Now, I'm going to make sure to get my fill of Tanduay rum on the honeymoon... $1 a bottle for decent rum is even better.

[Darlica]

I like Boulard Calvados Grand Solage and Calvados Pays d'Auge Réserve the later is a little bit more expensive here but both are in the lower price range.

[Aggie]

I'll have to check around.  The only brand I know offhand here is Père Magloire.

Calvados is lovely for cooking (especially pork), although I am hard-pressed to put it in the pan and not my glass.

[The Meromorph]

With the caveat that I essential don't drink alcohol any more, not for 15 years, now...
I'd endorse almost all the recommendations so far, and add -
For Scotch - Highland Park is sometime quite inexpensive and always fairly good. I've never been impressed with Glenfiddich.
For Vodka - I've never understood why Wyburowa is not world-renowned as the best vodka of all. I've tried a lot of vodkas and never found another as good.

[Darlica]

Highland Park is always good! But around here it is fairly expensive so I didn't think about that one.

Also, calvados in apple pie especially the French Tart Tartain type. You need to try that. Mmmm, I should really ask if my friend with all the apple trees need some help picking and eating her apples...

[Kiyoodle the Gambrinous]

Otherwise as a really good Czech beer I would recommend Zlatopramen or Gambrinous.

I can agree with you on the Gambrinus, it's not bad, but it's better when tapped, not bottled.

As for Zlatopramen - not good... Not good beer at all...

It's a shame there are only few Czech brands that can be purchased abroad and in most cases they aren't the best brands around...

[Darlica]

OK, Kiyoodle so which Czech beers do you recommend?

Also I can say this much, compared to a lot of Swedish beers Zlatopramen is quite good...
Not to mention Carlsberg....   

[anthrobabe]

OK, Kiyoodle so which Czech beers do you recommend?

Also I can say this much, compared to a lot of Swedish beers Zlatopramen is quite good...
Not to mention Carlsberg....   

Kiyo is a Czech beer 

[Kiyoodle the Gambrinous]

Well, I could recommend many many many different beers...


For start, Budvar. Of course.

Then: B.B. Budweiser Bier (not to be mistaken for Budweiser Budwar), Starobrno, Staropramen, Velkopopovicky Kozel (that would be an interesting one for goat, as "kozel" mean goat)...

There so many of them around here, I couldn't name them all...

Basically in most cases, you can't go wrong with Czech beer. But I wouldn't recomment the brands Holba, Litovel, Zlatopramen, Primus...


EDIT: If you ever have the chance, try Cerveny Drak (Red Dragon). It's a Czech red beer, very tasty indeed:

[Aggie]

I've had the Drak.  It's good.  Also was very impressed with the Staropramen, but for some reason I thought it was Polish.    This explains it.


Very good liquor prices before the long weekend here... I think I'm going to go with the Cap'n Morgans white rum, because it just went on sale for $17.99 including tax and deposit. 

[Darlica]

Well, I could recommend many many many different beers...


For start, Budvar. Of course.

Then: B.B. Budweiser Bier (not to be mistaken for Budweiser Budwar), Starobrno, Staropramen, Velkopopovicky Kozel (that would be an interesting one for goat, as "kozel" mean goat)...

There so many of them around here, I couldn't name them all...

Basically in most cases, you can't go wrong with Czech beer. But I wouldn't recomment the brands Holba, Litovel, Zlatopramen, Primus...


EDIT: If you ever have the chance, try Cerveny Drak (Red Dragon). It's a Czech red beer, very tasty indeed:

I have tasted Starobrno, Staropramen, Litovel, Zlatopramen and of cause Urquell...

Now this gets very interesting, I think, I do think Starobrno and Staropramen is better than Litovel but I also think that both Urquell and Zlatopramen pretty decent too. 

What do you think of Baron?
I have never had Drak or any Czech red beer, I think Staropramen Granat is the only Czech red beer available here.

When in Prague I did drink a beer with a hedgehog on the cap... But that was a long ago and it was pretty night so I don't remember exactly what I thought about the beer.
It must have been pretty tasty since I usually don't drink (or eat) anything I don't like. 


Sorry for me going Aggie

[Aggie]

   Beer talk is never off-topic.  And I need some beer advice too (I think I've gone on too much in the pub).

I am going to serve mainly OK Springs, but am looking for about 4 specialty beers to serve.  I'd like a Czech brand if possible.  We're doing a toonie bar, so I'm trying to keep the price down around $2/bottle, or else I might have to charge more for these.

Will probably stash a couple of bottles of Young's Double Chocolate behind the bar for dessert, though. 

[Sibling Chatty]

Well, I could recommend many many many different beers...


For start, Budvar. Of course.

Then: B.B. Budweiser Bier (not to be mistaken for Budweiser Budwar), Starobrno, Staropramen, Velkopopovicky Kozel (that would be an interesting one for goat, as "kozel" mean goat)...

There so many of them around here, I couldn't name them all...

Basically in most cases, you can't go wrong with Czech beer. But I wouldn't recomment the brands Holba, Litovel, Zlatopramen, Primus...


EDIT: If you ever have the chance, try Cerveny Drak (Red Dragon). It's a Czech red beer, very tasty indeed:

Printing out for Dan and Gary who will be in Ceske one month from today.

[Darlica]

Will probably stash a couple of bottles of Young's Double Chocolate behind the bar for dessert, though. 

Last time I tried it I got the impression "you aren't supposed to drink this... you are supposed to eat it with a spoon!"

It's not really my cup of tea, I think of it as an somewhat acquired taste, and I haven't really acquired it yet...

[Aggie]

Yes, it's HEAVY.  I want to try it with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream, though.  It might get poured in small samples and passed around gratis rather than served as a glassful.  I can only take about half at once.


Actually, I'd like to get some Kreik and try making Black Forest black & tans...   

[Kiyoodle the Gambrinous]

What do you think of Baron?
I have never had Drak or any Czech red beer, I think Staropramen Granat is the only Czech red beer available here.

Baron is a great beer, it's a little stronger than the other (even stronger than the Drak) - that is if you mean Baron Trenck (same brewery as Drak). Granat is also very good, but tastes differently as Drak.

As for the beer with the hedgehog on it, I know which one it is. It's the beer Jezek from the brewery in Jihlava. It's not bad, although I haven't had that particular one in years (small brewery, not much exported to other parts of the CZ...):



Also, very enjoyable beer is Velvet.


Chatty, if Dan is going to Ceske Budejovice, he should check out the restaurant "Alchymista" (the adress is U Tri Lvu 10), which is a very interesting restaurant made in medieval fashion with the staff having appropriate costumes in that fashion. It's one of the most popular restaurant over there (although reservations might be necessary to get a place, as it's always full, especially on weekend evenings). Very good food in it, won several awards, as far as I can recollect. Also, if Dan wants a good cocktail maybe, I can recommend "Cocktail Bar Zluta Ponorka" (Yellow Submarine - address is Chelcickeho 4). It's one of the best cocktail bars in the Czech Republic and has more than 250 different cocktails (and also Budweiser BUdvar for beer:) ) - here's their www in english: http://www.barzlutaponorka.cz/index.php?site=english

If I can recall any other good pub over there, I'll make sure to let you know, if you're interested...

[Darlica]

Yes, I meant Baron Trenck. I better buy a bottle of that one and a Staropramen Granat and try them then!

I have heard of Velvet but never tried it. A quick search on my employers website only turned up Canadian Whisky. That means if I want it I have to import it, the same with Drak.

Hmm maybe I should do that European tour thing with a car instead of train...  
Then I could load up on Slivovica too.

Jezek, yep that's the one! 

[Kiyoodle the Gambrinous]

Then I could load up on Slivovica too. Grin

One tip, if you want to get Slivovitz in the Czech Republic. If you have the chance, get home made slivovitz. Don't buy the one that is sold by "Jelinek", it's the one that is most distributed in pubs and shops around here.

It's not bad, I'm not saying that, it's ok. It's just that thanks to some EU regulations, it's not necessary to use only natural alcohol in slivovitz and "Jelinek" is profiting of it by adding alcohol that is not destilled from plums.

I'm maybe a little pedant on it, but personally, I don't like the one by "Jelinek", especially because of what I've stated above.... (and there's nothing better than good home made slivovitz)

[Sibling Chatty]

The guys are interested in any tips on restaurants, places of interest, etc. Gary's a beer hobbyist, brews his own at times, and wants to tour the Budvar Brewery (they've e-mailed and gotten the schedule and cost) but they're going to be there 5 days, so any suggestions are welcome.

[homebrewhydro]

well this is kind of late but I do enjoy Mcclellands Islay -- for a $20 dollar bottle of scotch you can't beat it.  Especially if you like peaty Islay malts.  It's like a not as smooth Laphroaig but great for sipping non the less and at about 1/3rd the price.

[Opsa]

Hmm, sounds good.

My holiday choice this year is Maker's Mark. Kinda smooth and vanilla-like and reasonably priced.

[Sibling DavidH]

Avoid the one in the yellow bottles labelled   顔がのびた  (Yamamoto's Revenge).  There's a rumour it may not be genuine Scotch.

[Lindorm]

I have heard interesting things about this one:
http://www.whiskyandwines.com/big-peat-vatted-islay-malt-whisky-70cl-p-2503.html

It's a deliberate and very carefully planned peat bomb for those who really like the phenolic and smoky Islay whiskies -certainly not something for beginners. The tasting notes and reviews I have read all say that this isn't really a whisky you can describe as tasting "good" or "bad", but rather a very strong and minimalist expression of a certain type of taste and smell. I would very much like to try it, but I am not sure that I want to buy a whole bottle of it.

[homebrewhydro]

I have heard interesting things about this one:
http://www.whiskyandwines.com/big-peat-vatted-islay-malt-whisky-70cl-p-2503.html

It's a deliberate and very carefully planned peat bomb for those who really like the phenolic and smoky Islay whiskies -certainly not something for beginners. The tasting notes and reviews I have read all say that this isn't really a whisky you can describe as tasting "good" or "bad", but rather a very strong and minimalist expression of a certain type of taste and smell. I would very much like to try it, but I am not sure that I want to buy a whole bottle of it.

wow.  I'm a peaty scotch fan and that looks like a good one to try.  Bit spendy though to find out its TOO peaty

A good blended Islay is Black Bottle.  Not super heavy on the peaty but it's pretty smooth and reasonably priced compared to the single malts.  Kind of the working mans Islay and a good one to start out with to get an idea of what flavor comes from that island.  I used to drink it a lot when I lived in Scotland but haven't found it in the USA yet. 

http://www.whiskyandwines.com/black-bottle-p-2087.html

Black bottle encapsulates Islay malts, standing proud as a whisky that blends all of Islays malts. Created by Gordon Graham in 1879 he couldn't resist the full bodied smoky flavour of Islay malts so he created this magnificent blend.

Rich, fresh and fruity on the nose, honeyed and peaty on the palate giving a warming smoky after taste, superb.