There was an excellent thread on the old site where someone was asking for recommendations on stocking his home liquor cabinet. Since that thread is a few years old and we don't want to go to the other site anyway, I wanted to refresh that topic here. Personally, I'm heavy on the bourbon, rye, and gin side and have gaps in the rum, tequila, and vodka areas. Thanks to the other thread, I picked up Sobieski vodka and friends really enjoyed it.
Help me fill in the gaps in my liquor cabinet. Preference to products in a modest price range (<$75 for whiskeys and <$50 for others) that are relatively accessible at liquor stores. We can have a separate category for aspirational / tough to get / special occasion products.
Bourbon
Usually have a carousel of Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve. There's already an active bourbon thread here that I have been following. Seeing a bit about Weller and McKenna, so I'll have to see if I can find them in VA.
Rye
Bulleit, Knob Creek
Sazerac is on the shopping list. Heard about Old Overholt as an undervalued recommendation.
Scotch
Johnnie Black. Macallan 12 on the shopping list. I tend to prefer Speyside and Highlands, but don't know enough here to pick out specific distilleries. Open to blends and singles.
Gin
Plymouth and Sapphire for martinis. Tanqueray for G&T. Sometimes cycle in Hendricks and Tanq10.
Vodka
Sobieski. I'm not much of a vodka drinker, but want something for guests.
Rum (sipping and mixing)
Have Flor de Cana 12 for sipping. Heard good things about Mount Gay, Diplomatico. Looking for sipping and mixing recommendations.
Tequila (sipping and mixing)
None in stock at the moment. Looking for sipping and mixing recommendations. Heard good things about the El Tesoro line.
Extras
I have the standard M&R sweet and dry vermouths, but know there's more/better out there.
I'm a big fan of Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, Sazeracs, and love bitters. I have the standard Angostura, but open to new suggestions. I think Peychaud's is traditionally used in Sazeracs.
Any absinthe recommendations for Sazeracs?
Any must have liqueurs? Chartreuse, St Germain, Luxardo Maraschino, Orange liqueurs
Favorite aspirational / tough to get / special occasion products
Cuban / Red Havana Club