What makes a bargain booze a bargain? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

snowy · 07-10-2010, 07:23 PM

A piece from the Kitchn caught my eye today:

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/b...spirits-120725

Quote:

Best Bargain Booze: 7 Top Picks From Bar Experts

We should mention first that we left the field open: any type of liquor was fair game. And because average prices within different categories of spirits range widely (for example, a basic vodka starts at around $10, while a well-aged single malt scotch costs upwards of $40), we didn't set an upper dollar limit for this challenge. We asked only that our recommenders select a favorite brand of spirit with a lower than average price tag for its type.

1. Gordon's London Dry Gin ($9-13/750 ml)

Recommended by: Paul Abercrombie, author of Organic, Shaken and Stirred (reviewed on The Kitchn here)
Why: “You can get a liter of it for about $15 and it's surprisingly good. Not great; but good. It's also a little lower proof than most gins (80 proof as opposed to 90-something of most London Dry style gins).”
Ways to Enjoy: “It's best used in drinks where the gin doesn't take center stage. It's particularly good when you want to batch up a bunch of drinks for a party, as I did recently at the beach on Longboat Key, Florida, where my father-in-law has a condo. I made big pitchers of Singapore Slings for a few dozen friends and family.”

2. Canadian Club Sherry Cask Whisky ($25-30/750 ml)

Recommended by: Ethan Kelley, head spirit sommelier and beverage director for the Brandy Library
Why: “My first instinct was to go with any bottle from the Dickle family, always more and more impressive. However, I think that if you want to find some amazing bargains you just have to look outside the standard categories. For whiskies, I think it is always unfair that we overlook Canada.”
Ways to Enjoy: “[Canadian] whiskies tend to be sweeter and lighter which makes them ideal candidates for mixing. Even Grandpa liked some CC in his Manhattan, and I do too. The Canadian Club Sherry Cask works amazingly well in any number of cocktails that call for bourbon, rye, or even non-smoky scotches.”

3. El Dorado 3 Year White Rum ($13-16/750 ml)

Recommended by: Stephanie Moreno, sales manager/spirits buyer, Astor Wines & Spirits
Why: "El Dorado 3 Year is full of aromatics, which is something you usually don't expect from a white rum: milk chocolate, creamy coconut, vanilla and citrus. A real steal at this price. It'll take your white rum-based drinks to a whole new level."
Ways to Enjoy: “I use this for all my white rum needs, particularly Daiquiris.”

4. Sobieski Vodka ($12-16/750 ml)

Recommended by: James Mulcahy, blogger, NYbarfly
Why: “Why pay more for premium vodka when the base spirit is essentially the same? It’s about $16 a bottle (compared to say $25+ for something like Grey Goose) and it’s absolutely just as good. I think you can get a whole liter for around $20.”
Ways to Enjoy: “I use Sobieski for my base in home cocktails, and I’ve used it when I’ve had parties to mix batches of Cosmos and other drinks. It’s cheap and tasty. The only thing I wouldn’t use it for is a straight up Martini, but that’s because I’m picky about those things.”

5. Sauza Hornitos Reposado Tequila ($25-30/750 ml)

Recommended by: Kara Newman, spirits reviewer for Wine Enthusiast magazine, and author of Spice & Ice: 60 Tongue-Tickling Cocktails
Why: “Reposado ("aged," or "rested") tequila is often pricier than its unaged counterpart, Silver or Blanco. But this aged, 100% agave tequila is definitely a bargain - it's even less expensive than many silvers on the market. And yet, it's no firewater: aging mellows the rough edges, leaving a smooth, medium-bodied spirit with a hint of vanilla in the aroma. Excellent for mixing bold-flavored Margaritas.”
Ways to Enjoy: Blood Orange-Jalapeño Margaritas (you can find our review of Kara’s spiced-up recipe here).

6. New Amsterdam Gin ($12-14/750 ml)

Recommended by: Selena Ricks, blogger, The Dizzy Fizz
Why: "New Amsterdam Gin is a great value because it has none of the juniper heat that you would expect for a gin at its price point. It's soft on the palate with bright citrus and floral notes. I wouldn't use it in a Martini, but it mixes well in fruit-based cocktails and is perfect for summer."
Ways to Enjoy: "My favorite way to use it just so happened to win me their recent cocktail competition, in my "Greenmarket Smash": 1 1/2 oz. New Amsterdam gin, 1/2 oz. liquified honey, 1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur, 1 oz. fresh orange juice, 1 oz. cranberry juice, and muddled basil."

7. W.L. Weller 12-Year-Old Bourbon ($25-30/750 ml)

Recommended by: Liza Weisstuch, spirits writer
Why: "Distilled at the much celebrated Buffalo Trace distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, this wheated bourbon is named for the distiller who, as legend has it, inspired Bill Samuels, founder of Maker's Mark, to create his iconic brand. The sweetness here is discernible, but this is no flaccid, smooth whiskey. You get that no-nonsense, fiery yet clean finish that evokes older bourbon."
Ways to Enjoy: "It's best appreciated over ice, but use it to mix a bourbon smash and you'll get a drink that's got a bit more backbone than if you used a lesser bourbon."

While I don't necessarily agree with the title of their piece, given that many of their choices seem expensive to me despite their disclaimer, I thought some of their choices bore sharing. Recently, we gave New Amsterdam gin a try, and liked it for its price point quite a bit. I'm not really a fan of the Gordon's. Also, I wasn't surprised by the choice of the Hornitos--it's my favorite tequila for margaritas. However, it's at the higher end of my spending limit when it comes to liquor. I'm certainly not buying single malt Scotches at this point in my life (a bottle of Dewars, yes). Additionally, some of the choices here aren't available in my market.

So my questions are two fold: what makes a bargain booze a bargain to you? Are the bottles presented here in fact bargains for the more expensive choices? I suppose the answer to this question lies in the eye of the beholder (or in the wallet of the beholder), but I'd like to hear some different takes on it.

Then: what are some bargain liquors you would recommend? My bar got slaughtered at my birthday party, and I'm looking to restock.

FuglyStick · 07-10-2010, 10:16 PM

I believe the difference is mainly if you are mixing the drinks or not. For example, the Gordon's Gin mentioned above is probably perfectly okay in a Singapore Sling; you WILL notice a difference between a Gordon's martini and a Sapphire martini, though.

I'm not one to be terribly insistent on "top shelf" liquor. I've had my share of Balvenie Doublewood, and it's mighty fine--to be honest, though, a lesser single malt suits the bill just fine. 15 bucks a fifth seems to be the price point I'm most comfortable with generally; going lower than that, things start to get sketchy. That's for straight liquor--if it's being mixed, I'll go a little lower.

FelixP · 07-10-2010, 10:44 PM

Smirnoff vodka is decent, and it's not too expensive (around 20 bucks a fifth). Captain Morgan spiced rum isn't too terribly expensive and it makes great shots for people who wouldn't usually do shots, i.e. people who aren't particularly fond of the taste of alcohol. I've never bought Tangeuray is pretty good for clear rum, and it's typically in the 16-22 dollar range. Let us know your final picks after you restock!

LordEden · 07-11-2010, 08:32 AM

I agree with fugly, it is based off it you are going to shoot it straight or you are making a mixed drink. If you put enough filler in the drink, you can't taste a difference between a $10 bottle of vodka and a $100 bottle. If i'm shooting a whiskey, I prefer top shelf. If i'm making jungle juice or PJ, who cares? You are going to be drinking a shit ton of it and I bet it has everclear in it.

Then again, I drink moonshine (when I have it), so that is the ultimate cheap liquor.

telekinetic · 07-11-2010, 08:47 AM

I'll confirm that New Amsterdam gin is quite drinkable in gin and tonic format, and they are right about it lacking the harsh juniper edge. I still have about 1/4 of a bottle left.

snowy · 07-11-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telekinetic

I'll confirm that New Amsterdam gin is quite drinkable in gin and tonic format, and they are right about it lacking the harsh juniper edge. I still have about 1/4 of a bottle left.

Heh. That's about where we're at with our bottle of it. We bought a bottle of the Tanqueray Rangpur gin at the same time. That was okay. The Cucumber Cooler recipe I posted in the OP of this thread http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-...cocktails.html is quite good with the New Amsterdam gin.

07-10-2010, 10:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
FelixP Insane Location: I'm up they see me I'm down.	Smirnoff vodka is decent, and it's not too expensive (around 20 bucks a fifth). Captain Morgan spiced rum isn't too terribly expensive and it makes great shots for people who wouldn't usually do shots, i.e. people who aren't particularly fond of the taste of alcohol. I've never bought Tangeuray is pretty good for clear rum, and it's typically in the 16-22 dollar range. Let us know your final picks after you restock! __________________ Free will lies not in the ability to craft your own fate, but in not knowing what your fate is. --Me "I have just returned from visting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world." --Douglas MacArthur

07-11-2010, 08:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	I'll confirm that New Amsterdam gin is quite drinkable in gin and tonic format, and they are right about it lacking the harsh juniper edge. I still have about 1/4 of a bottle left. __________________ twisted no more

07-10-2010, 10:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
FuglyStick WHEEEE! Whee! Whee! WHEEEE! Location: Southern Illinois	I believe the difference is mainly if you are mixing the drinks or not. For example, the Gordon's Gin mentioned above is probably perfectly okay in a Singapore Sling; you WILL notice a difference between a Gordon's martini and a Sapphire martini, though. I'm not one to be terribly insistent on "top shelf" liquor. I've had my share of Balvenie Doublewood, and it's mighty fine--to be honest, though, a lesser single malt suits the bill just fine. 15 bucks a fifth seems to be the price point I'm most comfortable with generally; going lower than that, things start to get sketchy. That's for straight liquor--if it's being mixed, I'll go a little lower.