Favorite brands of rum, vodka, whiskey and tequila

I used to buy the mid-level booze. Then one day I'm in Specs, and I decide to buy the cheapest booze in the entire store. I wanted to see just how bad this stuff is. This is booze that is usually found on the bottom shelf in the back of the store. Often to get the most bang for your buck it's necessary to buy the big 1.75L size in plastic bottles.

I loaded up my basket with stuff like Heaven Hill rum, Taaka Gin, Kamchatka Vodka, and brands of Tequila I've never heard of before. I spent about fifty bucks on an entire basket full of booze in big plastic bottles.

I went home and started mixing drinks. The drinks tasted good. Really good. The fact that I had extra cash in my pocket made me feel even better.

So, now I always buy the cheapest booze in the store. I just can't tell much difference. I guess I have an unsophisticated palate, and I'm glad that I do.

 

Cheap-to-mid-level -- it's all marketing more or less. Actually, it's all marketing. Cheap/expensive, what really matters is good vs bad, not the price. And once you start eliminating the chemicals and sugar or finding what works best with your body - bye, bye hangovers.

 

I feel the higher quality stuff doesn't give me as much of a hangover.

 

Chilled Jimador. The best...

 

I am truly a Lagavulin man, but am currently under the influence of the Balvenie 14 year Caribbean Cask, so a shout out to basso. and no joke about being under the influence . . . .

 

Anybody else dislike whiskey but love tequila? Is that weird?

 

Rum - I don't really like it but if I have to drink it I'll go with Mount Gay or Sailor Jerry

Vodka - I don't really like it and honestly to me it's all the same. I never drink it straight so it doesn't really matter what you go with. A Cape Cod is a Cape Cod.

Whiskey - My go to bourbon is Jim Beam Black or 1835 but there are much, much better bourbons out there. I would suggest trying as many as possible.
As to the others, I don't like Canadian, Irish is Jameson, and with Scotch it's gotta be at least 12 years old and single malt for me to even consider it.

Tequila - For me, Tequila is either a mixer, which means it can be damn near anything, or Patron if there is going to be shots.

Gin isn't a real thing as far as I'm concerned.

 

I don't drink vodka straight, so I only have it with rail drinks. Tequilla I've really only had the cheap ****, so I can't pick a specific brand. My polish friend swears on Smirnoff, but he's also 19.

Bushmills Whiskey, Johnnie Walker Black for Scotch (most scotch sucks, but a JWB is pretty good), Captain Morgan rum.

 

I bought a few sample bottles of rum and this one is soft and sweet AF.

 

Kraken and Captain Morgan tasted nasty. Not millenial approved.

Now this one is good and I hate whisky.

10 dollas for this one all day.

 

Only drink bourbons/whiskeys. First off, disagree with the "anything but Jack" comment. While I am only OK with Jack Daniels, one of my favorites is Jack Daniels Single Barrel. Perhaps one of my favorites. And affordable. I agree with the Knob Creek recommendation and want to try the KC Single Barrel. Others I like:

Angels Envy. A bit on the expensive side. Doesn't have the sweetness of Knob Creek, but may be my current favorite.

Rio Brazos Texas Bourbon Whiskey. This one was strongly recommended by Specs. Only tried a little since I am bringing it to a Bourbon party my neighbor is hosting. Really smooth... even my wife liked it (she is not a bourbon drinker). Probably over-priced but its made in really small batches in College Station. I will have a better review in a few weeks.



Larceny. I believe another Makers Mark line. Very affordable. 92 proof. Great taste, but wow, kick ass. I like it neat, but the burn comes late (wait for it... kapow) and better with ice. Another bottle I will be bringing to the bourbon party but I may sneak a taste or two before then.



I look forward to trying the others recommended (Woodford Reserve). Love these types of polls.

 

Last night me and my wife played a fun game of liquor testing. Buy a bunch of random small bottles and try 3 different taste methods: smelling it, dipping the tongue, and finally taking the shot. Had a blast.

 

they opened this one on fm1960 last month and it has better prices than Specs.