Jimellow

A buddy of mine is having a 21st birthday party tonight, and I was thinking of getting him a bottle of something. Due to me not drinking, I'm a bit unsure what would be ideal.

Thus, if anyone has suggestions I'd greatly appreciate it.

Also, is a bottle of something a valid birthday present on one's 21st birthday? I don't think I'm expected to bring anything, but I'd prefer not showing up empty handed.

If you don't think a bottle is a valid gift and have other suggestions, please share them, but the party is in a few hours and I was thinking of stopping and picking something up along the way.

Thanks.

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Bear Cub

Rum and vodka would be the two front runners. The vodka can be straight or mixed, and the rum you can mix with just about anything. I wouldn't get too carried away on the quality/price, because there is about a 99.9% chance that everyone else is going to help themselves to it as well.

In all honesty, it doesn't really matter, as they won't even be able to taste it about two hours into the night anyways.

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inBOIL

Everclear. Might as well jump in with both feet.

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Jimellow

Thanks for the reply. When you say they can be mixed; should I provide the beverage they are mixed with, or just bring the rum/vodka?

Also, what price range should I aim for? I'm generally clueless about all things alcohol related.

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Bear Cub

If its a birthday party, there will presumably be soda there already. Of course, preparing jello shots ahead of time is always a pleasant surprise.

$20-$30 will get you just about anything you need. No point in shelling out for top shelf stuff when nobody will actually appreciate the difference anyways.

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Cernunnos

Bring him some Jack Daniel's and be done with it.

thespian86

Tequila.

Make him/her regret the fact that they were born 21 years yesterday, when they wake up with glitter and shit stuck to their face.

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kurty[B]

Or, if you want to show up with something different, and not just a straight bottle of something, make Flaming Doctor Peppers (6 or more will certainly have the same effect as drinking a straight bottle of anything the next day). Bring cheap beer (I use Pabst, but any cheap beer will do), Amaretto and Bacardi 151. Poor the beer in a glass, poor a shot glass with half amaretto half bacardi 151 light the shot on fire. Dump the shot into the beer and make whomever drink the concoction in one swift gulp. Three down the hatch later and the party is in full swing! Three or more beyond that and be prepared to hold your friend's head up. They're pretty tasty too (hence why they're more dangerous than a straight bottle of tequila, cheap vodka, rum, etc). I'd say bring a shot glass to give him also.

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Nimetic

I reckon you take two things. The first is a contribution to the party.... which can be alcohol or foods or whatever. Usually when I was younger I'd take a cider and/or beer. Main thing I think is to take more than you consume. Be a helpful guest eh.

Then take something more expensive in a bag, and give it separately. That's the present.

girldetective

I might consider a bottle of Advil.

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contour

SoCo and lime - good for shots, reasonably easy on the gut, and tasty.

Punk.of.Ages

For $30 you can get a half gallon of Canadian Host and a 30 of Natty Light (at least here you can).

That would make my night. In fact that's what I had on my 21st.

Of course, I have cheap tastes. If you're looking for something a little more refined, I can agree with the rum, vodka, tequila, or whiskey. My favorite rum is Sailor Jerry, favorite vodka is Stolichnaya, and you can't go wrong with Jose or Jack.

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Grasshopper Green

I'd have to go for vodka...it's easily mixed if the person doesn't like a strong alcohol flavor and it's not as expensive (at least here) as equal quality whiskies or tequila (I hate rum). I agree with Punk...Stoli is is a good way to go as far as inexpensive vodka is concerned.

If it were *my* 21st...show up with a bottle of Don Eduardo and you'd be a friend for life

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Jimellow

Thanks for all the replies.

I ate out with mi familia and we discussed this rather thoroughly. I printed out a list of rum brand recommendations, and dad got a chuckle out of the fact that I turn to the Internet for pretty much everything.

I ultimately went with his recommendation: A bottle of Seagram's VO whiskey.

There was a wide array of alcohol, half unopened, when I arrived, and thus mine will be consumed at a later time. Overall, it was a good time. I got a fire going despite the rain, and a good time was had by all.

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levite

If you're bringing it to a party, bring anything: it won't matter. Personally, I was always a fan of the Jack or the vodka when I was 21, those seem to go with just about anything.

If you actually want to get your friend quality liquor to have in their house, that's a different story. Get good scotch. Be prepared to spend $40-60 depending on what you can find. Never get blended scotch, only single malt. They need to be aged for a minimum of 10 years, 12 is standard, 15 and up is preferable. The Islay malts are generally considered the best, but some are hard to get outside Britain, and IMO, some aren't all that. Lagavulin is excellent, and so is Ardbeg, and Laphroaig is pretty good. I like the Highland and Speyside malts a lot: The Balvenie is my favorite, with Glenmorangie a close second. Glenfarclas is excellent, if you can get it in 15 years old plus, same with Glengoyne. Lowland malts are altogether distinct: almost a different whiskey altogether. I like Glenkinchie and Auchentoshan, although they taste much lighter and more delicate, a lot more like good Irish single-malt whiskey.

Edit: whoops!! Too late!

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Stare At The Sun

Grey Goose.

Best way to go.