Stocking a home bar

[borednva]

Figured this would be a fun and informative thread, particularly for those of us just a few years into drinking age. So what basics would you need to start stocking your bar? mixers? liqours? how much should you spend? hell how would you set up the actual bar?

[Goodspeed(TPF)]

You will need quality water to mix with the Scotch. No Ice! We have fantastic well water here and an Artesian spring so I have that covered. I recommend an 18yr Macallan as an entry level Scotch. Iffin you need Vodka, make sure it comes from Poland and that it's made from Potatoes. Chopin is a good entry level Vodka. You don't "mix" anything with quality booze, especially soda. Life is to short to drink crap, or dilute QUALITY LIQUOR with anything except a very small amount of quality water . And I think Nichols is the only one who drinks Liqueur.

[Goodspeed(TPF)]

OK, you might need a good Tequila. Patron is a good entry level Tequila, and Silver is a bit smoother than Gold.

[Pokeguyjai]

OK, you might need a good Tequila. Patron is a good entry level Tequila, and Silver is a bit smoother than Gold.

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/01/drinking-the-bottom-shelf-what-to-do-with-cheap-tequila.html

El Ultimo Tequila... me gusta!

I save the good stuff for drinking straight up... which I rarely ever do with tequila!! Ay dios mio!

[Goodspeed(TPF)]

Beer. Almost forgot about this one. We usually try to stay local, and buy FRESH. If we are having company that likes Beer, or want some for ourselves we buy it fresh that day, or the day before. And buy right from the Brewer and not a big chain/liquor store as you will KNOW what you are getting. Cuz skunky Beer is NAS-TAY. If it's available in a 30 pack we tend to stay away from it. Supporting good local Brewers will help keep them in business and might even surprise you with their taste/quality. Living in WI we have an almost endless supply of quality Breweries to chose from so we are quite fortunate in that arena.

[bmp_sbi]

You will need quality water to mix with the Scotch. No Ice! We have fantastic well water here and an Artesian spring so I have that covered. I recommend an 18yr Macallan as an entry level Scotch. Iffin you need Vodka, make sure it comes from Poland and that it's made from Potatoes. Chopin is a good entry level Vodka. You don't "mix" anything with quality booze, especially soda. Life is to short to drink crap, or dilute QUALITY LIQUOR with anything except a very small amount of quality water . And I think Nichols is the only one who drinks Liqueur.

The only dilution anyone needs is maybe a little ice...lol...not with the scotch....I love martinis made with ice though.

[bdcbbq]

Bourbon's I usually have on handinclude are Blanton's, Booker's, Pappy Van Winkle and a few others are my favorites. My low end is Maker's Mark. Straight, but occasionally with an ice cube for variety.

[Goodspeed(TPF)]

The only dilution anyone needs is maybe a little ice...lol...not with the scotch....I love martinis made with ice though.No ice inna Scotch. Water only. And only a little. It helps bring out the flavor.

[ak103rg]

My advice will probably be a little overboard for most (I bartend part time at a whiskey bar) but ill try and stick to the midrange not crazy expensive stuff for a basic home bar. Heres my recommendations

Basics:
Bourbon (Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek, Makers Mark)
Scotch (Macallan 12 Year, Bruichladdich Laddie 10)
Rum (Bacardi or Cruzan)
Tequila (El Jimador, Celestial Silver, Cazadores)
Vodka (Titos, most anything over $20 per bottle)
Gin (Tanqueray, New Amsterdam, Bombay Sapphire)
Triple Sec (Brand not important)

With these you can make enough of the cocktails out there to appease just about any kind of guests you might have over.

From there you can start expanding whiskey styles and types, get into some flavored vodkas, and so forth but that the above should get you started.

[iowahapkido]

I like AK103rg's advice on the basics. In addition you should keep some simple mixers around. At least club soda, coke and vermouth [sweet and dry]. Maybe some juices like lemon, lime and orange. Bitters and simple syrup are good to keep around too.
Then you need decent glasses. Having a martini in a water glass takes some of the romance out of it.
Just to stock a bar I'd get a blended Scotch. I like to have a single malt on occasion, but they are eccentric things, and not as pleasant to as wide a variety of palates as a good blend.
Last, but perhaps most important, you need a guidebook. I like Dale DeGroff's "The Craft of the Cocktail", but there are many others.