Here’s a look at what we’re working with. We’re fully aware that we have some gaping holes in our collection, and we’re working to fill them, but it’s a slow process since booze can be goddamn expensive. We’ll be adding to the gallery as we collect more bottles.
Anything marked DECEASED is a bottle that we had, drank, and decided we wouldn’t be replacing it for one reason or another. Usually, it’s just that we didn’t care for it, and there are too many types of alcohol to waste time and money on something we don’t enjoy!
If you’ve got a suggestion for something we ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE, let us know what it is and why it’s so awesome and we’ll add it to the shopping list.
One gaping hole you have is the Rangpur Lime Tanqueray. For making Gin and Tonics, it’s one of the best I’ve tried.
Nice blog you’ve got here buddy!
That’s a good call. We’ve been talking about beefing up the gins a bit. Plymouth and Old Raj are on the list, but we’ll definitely look into the Rangpur, too.
Hey Guys,
Nice cabinet! If you are looking to add to your gins, I have a suggestion.
I have been enjoying Old Tom style gins, particularly the Ransom Old Tom that David Wondrich collaborated on. Among other things it’s sweeter than a London Dry, and it’s perfect for an authentic Martinez. It’s also really nice in a “Fresh Martini”: http://localwineandspirits.com/NEW%20INFOSHEETS/RansomOldTomCocktails.pdf.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
-gene
Nice collection folks! I’m glad to see we’re not the only philadelphians with an over the top liquor cabinet. I’m going to second Old Tom Gin. Hayman’s is available in philly now for only $25ish and is extremely versatile. My current obsessions are Sotol and Orchard Apricot.
I’d never heard of Sotol before just now, but I do love mezcal…that sounds delicious. I’ll have to look into it. As for the Orchard Apricot, we ALMOST bought a bottle of it in Boston, but didn’t want to check a second bag of booze and have been looking for it ever since. Have you found it in Philly? Old Tom too…it’s marked as a luxury store item but I haven’t found it yet.
I’d love some tips if you’ve got them! (Jersey/Delaware are options too if we know we’ll find it when we get there)
I picked up my sotol and apricot at astor wine and spirits in nyc. I work up there occasionally, so I try to nab a few bottles whenever I do. I know that you can get hayman’s old tom at the stores on 13th and chestnut and 19th and chestnut.
To me sotol has an almost butterscotch aroma to it. It is so good. If you want to try it or the apricot, get in touch. The sotol makes a mean old fashioned with some boston bittahs and agave.
Awesome! Thanks so much, I will be keeping all this in mind!
I have two suggestions for liqueurs . First, I noticed that you do not have any amarettos. I would personally suggest Luxardo Amaretto [It can be hard to find at a local liquor store because they only release select casks every few years](http://www.drinkupny.com/Luxardo_Amaretto_p/s0512.htm?utm_source=Vinquire&utm_medium=WineFeed&utm_content=Luxardo+Amaretto+Di+Saschira+Liqueur&utm_campaign=base&v_traceback=c0928_2350_f0929_0044) which has a far smoother and complex flavor than Disarono.
Secondly, I would suggest another Italian liqueur called Strega. This is a digestive that has flavors a pronounced spearmint flavor with a slight anise finish. This liqueur is best paired with club soda for a simple cocktail, but also has historically been paired into numerous other herbal-based cocktails.
Those are great ideas. We’ve been keeping our eyes open for an amaretto that didn’t look like Disarono or $8 plastic bottle stuff for a while but have been coming up empty. Totally overlooked Luxardo, though! (we actually just picked up some Luxardo Amaro a couple weeks ago, we just need to buckle down and shoot all the new bottles)
As for the strega, I’ve been hearing that name forever but never thought to try it, now I just may have to. Thanks for the suggestions!
That looks like quite a nice collection to me. One of my next projects is to start building my own home speakeasy so to say.
Gents,
Great site. Just checking it out for the first time. What vermouth’s do you use? I am a fan of Antica Formula. It will re-event your arsenal of drinks like a classic Manhattan or a Satin’s Whiskers (thought I prefer the twist to make it a Satin’s Soul Patch using Bourbon vs. Gin). Just hit 100 bottles at my new home bar in Abu Dhabi (though a Californian by birth). If you are looking for some interesting additions, I recommend the Bend Distillery out of Oregon for some unique Gins and Vodkas. Also Monkey 47 Gin out of Germany is a fantastic gin which is making waves throughout Europe right now. Makes a mean Basil Smash…..
Keep up the great work!
Jeff
I’ve been hearing a lot about the Bend Distillery, I’ll definitely need to check that out at some point. As for the Vermouth, we both LOVE Carpano Antica, but have a hard time justifying buying so much of a non-shelf-stable liquor when it isn’t for a party at that price. We’ll just never get through a whole bottle at the rate we use vermouth. I should probably get over it and just drink more manhattans, but it’s a touch call for me. I also like Dolin sometimes, but we haven’t had that in a good long while.