Liquors & Cocktails

slippery · Mar 10, 2019

I'm just gonna throw this here, because it seems like the best place.

It's looking like I'm going to be taking over as Manager for a small liquor store. I'm not really worried about the ordering side of things much, because frankly it's not that hard to look at past and current numbers and just make educated guesses based on sales for what to get.

However, my actual knowledge of liquor, and wine especially, is woefully terrible. I've never been much of a drinker (especially ironic considering situation) so never had good reason to learn much. Anyone have any good advice/resources on educating myself about the product?

wormie · Mar 10, 2019

Something tells me there is a huge gap between what’s good and what sells. And that is most likely based on price differences.

slippery · Mar 10, 2019

wormie said:
Something tells me there is a huge gap between what’s good and what sells. And that is most likely based on price differences.

I don't disagree, there are definitely tons of people that just buy the cheap shit. However it'd be nice to be able to tell people what the difference is, and what things mean. Just going to get some beginners books and see what I learn.

Pemulis · Mar 10, 2019

I'd pick a different type of liquor each weekend and sample a few of the standards/staples to get a feel for what's what. I've seen enough good discussion about it here that people could easily recommend a few options that you could easily get in the mini airplane bottles to avoid making a big investment. Pick something you want to start with, and you'll definitely get some good suggestions.

E.g., if you wanted to start with gin, I'd say try tanqueray, Bombay sapphire, Hendrick's, and something a little more upscale (Alex probably has a good choice). That's a pretty good wide selection of different styles of gin, and people can help identify what you should be getting out of each that's different. I'm no gin expert, but tanqueray has a lot of juniper, while Bombay sapphire is very smooth. Hendricks has a flowery character. That's all I got...

Ishad · Mar 11, 2019

slippery said:
I'm just gonna throw this here, because it seems like the best place.

It's looking like I'm going to be taking over as Manager for a small liquor store. I'm not really worried about the ordering side of things much, because frankly it's not that hard to look at past and current numbers and just make educated guesses based on sales for what to get.

However, my actual knowledge of liquor, and wine especially, is woefully terrible. I've never been much of a drinker (especially ironic considering situation) so never had good reason to learn much. Anyone have any good advice/resources on educating myself about the product?

Sounds like this may be a good start.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B077...pe=ebooks&qid=1552312728&sr=1-3-dbssearch-acs

Hospitality/Beverage Specialist

Pemulis · Mar 11, 2019

Pemulis said:
I'd pick a different type of liquor each weekend and sample a few of the standards/staples to get a feel for what's what. I've seen enough good discussion about it here that people could easily recommend a few options that you could easily get in the mini airplane bottles to avoid making a big investment. Pick something you want to start with, and you'll definitely get some good suggestions.

E.g., if you wanted to start with gin, I'd say try tanqueray, Bombay sapphire, Hendrick's, and something a little more upscale (Alex probably has a good choice). That's a pretty good wide selection of different styles of gin, and people can help identify what you should be getting out of each that's different. I'm no gin expert, but tanqueray has a lot of juniper, while Bombay sapphire is very smooth. Hendricks has a flowery character. That's all I got...

Just noticed you specifically asked about wine - my advice still stands. I worked at a four star restaurant while in college, and I had to learn wines in order to make the move up to waiter. Best way to learn them is to try them. You can read about them to learn what flavors & characteristics you should be looking for, but then try them. Buy a bunch of reds of different varietals. Taste what makes a red zinfandel different from a merlot, different from a cabernet. You can get decent examples for under $20 a bottle. When you find one you particularly like, spend a little more on a bottle of that type to see what makes a $30 bottle better than a $10. Of course, as mentioned earlier, sometimes the name fetches a better price than the wine is probably worth, but that's with everything.

This is a book I borrowed from the maitre d that really helped me with the basics: Amazon product ASIN 1454921064
Post specific questions if you have them. Wine can be a really fun hobby.

maskedmelon · Oct 16, 2019

Thread seems to suffer from poor naming convention. Should've just been called Alcohol. Would have been more inclusive and would not be getting stomped by the Beer thread. That aside, going to put up my favorite Vodka:

McQueen · Nov 10, 2019

My friendly neighborhood liquor store finally got a few cases of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, so I bought two bottles. It’s pretty damn good. Smooth, with a rich caramel finish. Girlfriend-o hates it.

Zapatta · Nov 10, 2019

Brahma said:
No idea where to put this.

Tried Sake for the 1st time...Not to my taste this brand. Any recommendations? View attachment 183787

general rule of thumb with sake is if you can read the label its garbage. Some CA companies started making all their labels in Japanese to fool folks, its all garbage. Also any decent sake is gonna set you back $30 minimum. If you can find a legit place that carries real Japanese sake the barcode scanner on your phone helps a ton and there are some really good web resources for sake reviews and tasting notes. I steer away from any sake that is only to be served warm, most of them imo are an acquired taste. Once you hunt the real stuff down its pretty amazing, (unfiltered stuff is not for beginners and looks like jizz). I alternate small cups of it with a crispy cider (stella) or a dry japanese beer. You get a ripping buzz pretty quick, bring friends, uncorked sake isnt particularly good on the 3rd day. Anything left over save in the fridge and use it for cooking.

slippery · Nov 10, 2019

McQueen said:
My friendly neighborhood liquor store finally got a few cases of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, so I bought two bottles. It’s pretty damn good. Smooth, with a rich caramel finish. Girlfriend-o hates it.

My sales rep asked me this week if I wanted a 3 bottle case of the cask strength because it looked like she could send it. Didn't show up though

I've had little trouble getting the regular bourbon or rye though.

maskedmelon · Dec 4, 2019

This stuff is delicious. Tastes like ethanalated candy corn soaked oak with notes of vanilla.

slippery · Jan 3, 2020

Rabbit hole Bourbons and the stuff from bardstown bourbon company are both super good.

I recently had a side by side tasting of Bailey's vs Carolans and its not even close. Carolans tastes better and has no alcohol burn. I was pretty surprised on this one

Also Wheatley vodka super good. Made by Buffalo Trace distillery

McQueen · Jan 4, 2020

Yellowstone bourbon is not very good.

slippery · Feb 4, 2020

Jura 18 year scotch with a bit of water is incredibly smooth and tastes damn near to dark chocolate.

First scotch reps have had me taste where I'm like damn I actually want to sell this. Bonus for them having brought in enough stock before tariffs that you don't get slaughtered in price

Alex · Feb 4, 2020

Had a record quarter and the top sales dude bought a bottle of Blanton's to share with our small team. Haven't popped it open yet but hope to very soon.

slippery · Feb 4, 2020

Alex said:
Had a record quarter and the top sales dude bought a bottle of Blanton's to share with our small team. Haven't popped it open yet but hope to very soon.

I've yet to try it, because I feel bad buying it when I only get like 1 bottle a month, but I feel like it has to be overrated, and definitely not worth the premium that most stores put on it today. Cost on it is like $30. One of these days I'll get around to trying it, but I feel like I'd rather just have something like Angel's Envy.

Mrs. Gravy · Feb 4, 2020

McQueen said:
My friendly neighborhood liquor store finally got a few cases of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, so I bought two bottles. It’s pretty damn good. Smooth, with a rich caramel finish. Girlfriend-o hates it.

More Bourbon for you!

(I prefer the Angel's Envy Rye.)

Alex · Feb 8, 2020

slippery said:
I've yet to try it, because I feel bad buying it when I only get like 1 bottle a month, but I feel like it has to be overrated, and definitely not worth the premium that most stores put on it today. Cost on it is like $30. One of these days I'll get around to trying it, but I feel like I'd rather just have something like Angel's Envy.

I would agree it's overrated. It is definitely quality. Nice spicy flavor. But it's not nearly as smooth as I expected or wanted it to be.

McQueen · Apr 24, 2020

I finally had to make a curbside order with my friendly local liquor shop, and it went surprisingly smoothly. They had my two handles of Tito’s, handle of Elijah Craig, two cases of Modelo, and two cases of Truly boxed up and ready to go within the hour. I showed my ID through the window and they loaded it in my trunk.

slippery · Apr 24, 2020

If you drink Vodka, you should really try Wheatly. It's cheaper than Tito's, and it's all you can ask for in a Vodka. Extremely smooth and clean. I think if people realized how good it was they would be drinking the shit out of it. It's made by the Buffalo Trace distillery

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