Every level of cocktail enthusiast has dreamt of owning a bar. Many have fulfilled that dream by opening an amazing den dedicated to the gentle art of imbibing. Others have kept their dreams alive by building and stocking a home bar with good Spirits.
Building a home bar could be as simple as clicking a few links on the Crate & Barrel website or a complicated as hiring a contractor to build one. Thankfully, stocking a home bar is easier. The first building block in any home bar should be Bourbon.
Kentucky Bourbon
Old Forester
Old Forester is the ‘well’ Bourbon for most of the bars in a city (Louisville) surrounded by Bourbon distilleries. Buying either the Classic 86 Proof edition or The Single Barrel will prove to be a good start to a solid Bourbon foundation.View this post on Instagram
Basil Hayden’s
At 80 Proof this Springtime Kentucky Bourbon is easy to drink, accessible in every liquor store and as enjoyable as California Sunset. Basil Hayden's is a light-bodied Bourbon that will bring old and new Bourbon lovers together.View this post on Instagram
Bulleit Bourbon
Any one of the Bourbons made by Bulleit (Bourbon, Rye, Ten Year, and Barrel Strength) would make a fine addition to a home bar. In this case, stocking a basic home bar with a bottle of Bulleit Frontier Whiskey is the best move.View this post on Instagram
KB vs. NKB
No matter what level of barmanship you’re comfortable building, you’ll have to stock it with quality Spirits. Some may argue that only Kentucky makes the best Bourbons and Non-Kentucky Bourbons are a poor alternative. The honest answer is, they both have high-quality products that will make any home bar shine.Non Kentucky Bourbon
Although 95% of Bourbon is produced in Kentucky, many great Bourbons can be found outside it as well. For instance:Hudson Baby Bourbon
Tuthilltown Spirits Farm Distillery is New York’s first distillery since 1920. It produces Hudsony Baby Bourbon - some of the best Corn-based Bourbons this side of The Mason–Dixon line.View this post on InstagramFinishing out the weekend like ? #hudsonbabybourbon #notreadyformonday
George Remus
George Remus is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana or as it was once called Whiskey City, U.S.A., by MGP of Indiana (formally Seagram's - Yes, THAT Seagram’s). It’s a secret weapon that will throw any Bourbon snob for a loop.View this post on Instagram
Cask Strength
If you’re not sure what the term cask (or barrel) strength means or why you should add it to your home bar - the answers are simple. Cask strength Bourbon is the non-diluted Spirit fresh from the barrel. With little to no water added to the original product, it comes out at strength 58–66% (ABV).It is not for the timid. It packs bold flavors that are not found in regular Bourbons. And those bold flavors are why you should add it to your home bar. We suggest choosing from these:
Angel’s Envy
If you want a dead-on representation of how a cask strength Bourbon should taste, add the Angel’s Envy Cask Strength to your home bar then let your friends have a taste. Being right never tasted so good.View this post on InstagramDan the man knows how to start my birthday week off right! ???#angelsenvycaskstrength
Stagg Jr.
This is another great example of fresh out of the barrel American Whiskey. Stagg Jr. Barrell Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a powerful amber delight that might need some ice chips or a splash of mineral water to relax the taste for the newcommers.View this post on Instagram
