I'm trying to expand my liquor horizons past craft beer and whiskey into other liquors and cocktails. What are some tequila, gin, vodka, rum, etc. brands I should try, whether they're best suited neat or on the rocks or in cocktails?
OT: Let's talk liquor that isn't whiskey
- Thread starter SanfordRJones
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You say vodka is vodka and then suggest one of the more expensive brands?
Smirnoff is fine. Below that you get into redistilled denatured alcohol territory and that's bad juju.
Smirnoff is fine. Below that you get into redistilled denatured alcohol territory and that's bad juju.
For Rum, Bumbu! Straight, mixed or whatever. After Bourbon it has become my drink of choice. It's not flavored but smells like banana pudding and taste wonderful.
I had an old fashioned last night made with anejo. It might have been the best cocktail I've ever had. Still, though, my liquor store has Clase Azul for $550 for a fifth. I'm going to have to pass on that for now.
Pyrat rum makes pretty amazing mojitos. I love it straight as well. If you like bitter, get some rye, good quality vermouth, and Campari and try an old pal or a boulevardier. Great hot weather drink. Hendricks gin makes a fine gin and tonic
Is there any difference in the quality of Titos and Smirnoff? The price difference is only a couple of dollars.
What? The Clase Azul Resposado (blue and white bottle) is usually $150-$175 for 750mL. Maybe you’re looking at a special one.
The original dark. I haven't tried the XO yet, and can't believe it could be better.
Another poster mentioned vodka and you get what you pay for with any liquor including vodka. If you can find Beluga Noble or Beluga Allure vodka (my local place keeps both), either go great with any juice (grapefruit, orange, cranberry, etc.) and make a killer bloody or mule.
If you're looking for something a bit different buy some Pimm's and mix with ginger ale (simple Pimm's cup). It's a great morning starter and will help you ease into the day after a long night.
If you're looking for something a bit different buy some Pimm's and mix with ginger ale (simple Pimm's cup). It's a great morning starter and will help you ease into the day after a long night.
I don’t have the experience with most of these like I do with whiskey, but during hot months like what we’re about to hit, I too am all about a little tequila or rum mixed with something bubbly and a lime.
For the price, I’m currently hooked on Teramana tequila and El Dorado rum. Both are great for my taste for $30 or less
For the price, I’m currently hooked on Teramana tequila and El Dorado rum. Both are great for my taste for $30 or less
The Bumbu XO is not going to have the strong banana flavor. I can't get over the banana taste, but it is incredibly smooth.
I can't tell a difference between absolute, titos, grey goose, kettle one. I just go with whatever is cheapest, which is usually absolut. Smirnoff is not as good to me straight or with just water and a lemon or lime; I completely accept that's in my head and I likely couldn't tell in a blind taste test.
To the vodka guys...... Vodka prices and quality are rated by me, on how bad the hangover is.
easy hangover: Titos, Kettle One, and Grey Goose, Stolli
terrible hangover: smirnoff, absolute, taika,
Best Vodka bang for the buck: Sam's Brand Members Mark. Made by Grey Goose. $13/handle. Not a bad hangover.
If none of you have tried the Sams brand liquors, you're missing out. they are all great. They even have a single barrel scotch that is comparable to some $300 bottles. sells for around $45. Their tequila is good too.
easy hangover: Titos, Kettle One, and Grey Goose, Stolli
terrible hangover: smirnoff, absolute, taika,
Best Vodka bang for the buck: Sam's Brand Members Mark. Made by Grey Goose. $13/handle. Not a bad hangover.
If none of you have tried the Sams brand liquors, you're missing out. they are all great. They even have a single barrel scotch that is comparable to some $300 bottles. sells for around $45. Their tequila is good too.
No offense intended, but I don't find "you get what you pay for" to be true at all when it comes to distilled spirits.
There are many bourbons in the $20-30 for 750ml range that are comparable to and better than others twice+ the price.
The whole point of most vodka is to be as colorless and tasteless as possible. That's why it is an inoffensive mixer.
I have done a taste comparison with other drinkers of mixed drinks with Pinnacle Vodka vs many much more expensive makers. No one has ever been able to consistently pick out their favorite over the cheaper Pinnacle. IMO, vodka is not the place to spend your money on premium brands (because you might be paying for a nice glass bottle and a lot of marketing).
Also, try a Bloody Mary with your favorite everyday bourbon. You might be surprised how good it is.
My Default Vodka is Monopolowa. I did a blind taste test in about 2002 vs Grey Goose, Kettle one, Stolli, etc. Mono was as better than all of them. And I can buy a 1.75l for $16
There are tons of good Rums. Want a sipping straight rum? Curzon single barrel is great. Ron Zacapa 23 Is phenomenal. Want a mixing rum? Appleton Estate and Flor De Cana are both really good.
Finding a good flavored Rum that is not watered down is a challenge. Look for higher proof (I had a coconut 100 proof rum in turks a few years ago, but it's not exported to the US)
Tequila: Fortaleza is the best. period. Small batch family owned. Get the Still Strength. https://tequilafortaleza.com/fortaleza-blanco-still-strength/ If you cannot find that try El Tesoro
Want something Cheaper to mix? Try Gran Centenario
Gin is all about the flavors you want.
There are tons of good Rums. Want a sipping straight rum? Curzon single barrel is great. Ron Zacapa 23 Is phenomenal. Want a mixing rum? Appleton Estate and Flor De Cana are both really good.
Finding a good flavored Rum that is not watered down is a challenge. Look for higher proof (I had a coconut 100 proof rum in turks a few years ago, but it's not exported to the US)
Tequila: Fortaleza is the best. period. Small batch family owned. Get the Still Strength. https://tequilafortaleza.com/fortaleza-blanco-still-strength/ If you cannot find that try El Tesoro
Want something Cheaper to mix? Try Gran Centenario
Gin is all about the flavors you want.
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Blaspheme! Blaspheme! You can expand your horizons within the world of whiskey..**
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It’s not better, but it is totally different. I prefer the standard Bumbu if I’m sipping it straight because I like the banana finish, but the XO mixes much better for something like a Dark and Stormy.
Slight Hijack: Buy your favorite summer beer (mine is a High Life in a glass bottle), take a swig, fill back up with cold Aperol. Doesn't get much better.
https://www.bonappetit.com/story/wet-city-brewing-spaghett
Not sure where you are but a handle of titos and a handle of smirnoff might be $4 difference. Titos is not expensive. Goose etc is
Was curious if I was misremembering so looked at my local place's website (they deliver so real-time prices/intentory) - Smirnoff is 19.99 and Tito's is 37.99 for a handle.
Thats wild
Titos is usually $29-34. But smirnoff is usually 22-24
I do say vodka us vodka but i dont love smirnoff.
So for a Moscow mule, what is your go to ginger beer. I kinda like fever tree. It’s non alcoholic but mixed with Tito’s and a lime it reminds me of the ginger beer at the brewery on isla mujeres Mexico.
I’m a rum drinker but not really a fan of heavily spiced or flavored rums. Captain Morgan’s Private Stock is my daily mixer and it’s pretty good on the rocks. I’m a fan of Guatemalan rums for sipping, Zaya and Zapata are my favorites and I want it with a single ice ball.
FYI for Vodka guys.
Western Son Vodka was started by a few Mississippi State guys and an Aggie that I was friends with. I think one of the State guys bought the other guys out completely. It's supposed to be pretty good. I haven't drank vodka since I puked after drinking too much Taaka in 8th grade, but if I did I would probably be a Western Son guy. Not sure if he has an interest in the business or not, but former MSU baseball player Ben Jenkins (Founder of Warstic with Ian Kinsler and Jack White) has done all of the branding/design for Western Son over the years.
If you are looking for a Vodka, give it a try. Might as well support a fellow dog.
Western Son Vodka was started by a few Mississippi State guys and an Aggie that I was friends with. I think one of the State guys bought the other guys out completely. It's supposed to be pretty good. I haven't drank vodka since I puked after drinking too much Taaka in 8th grade, but if I did I would probably be a Western Son guy. Not sure if he has an interest in the business or not, but former MSU baseball player Ben Jenkins (Founder of Warstic with Ian Kinsler and Jack White) has done all of the branding/design for Western Son over the years.
If you are looking for a Vodka, give it a try. Might as well support a fellow dog.
Barritts or Gossling are the best to me. Fever Tree has too much of a ginger taste. just overpowers the mule. there is a local brewery here in Shreveport, Flying Heart, that makes their own ginger beer. its a pretty dang impressive mule.
Walmart sells a brand called Gosling's which is not too bad and cheaper than Fever Tree. Comes in 6 pack cans for 5-6 bucks. One I can definitely advise against, the Kroger brand ginger beer. If you don't cut it with water it is like snorting pepper straight up your nostrils and it gives me crazy bad indigestion.
Appleton Estate 12 year is a really good rum. On the rocks with a lime wedge is my favorite way to sample a nice rum.
We learned down in the Caribbean that they are just a serious about their rum as we are about whiskey.
We learned down in the Caribbean that they are just a serious about their rum as we are about whiskey.
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If you want to try an unadulterated Rum that is almost universally praised by those in the know and you can find it, try anything from Foursquare Distillery in Barbados.
Top notch and it will show you what Rum was originally.
I haven't been there in a while, but Lincoln Road Package in Hattiesburg usually has a selection of Foursquare along with just about any other sought after spirits. Best liquor store I've ever been to in Mississippi as far as selection of rare things and knowledge of the owners.
Top notch and it will show you what Rum was originally.
I haven't been there in a while, but Lincoln Road Package in Hattiesburg usually has a selection of Foursquare along with just about any other sought after spirits. Best liquor store I've ever been to in Mississippi as far as selection of rare things and knowledge of the owners.
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