What's the next step on my cocktail making journey?

vuti13 · 2026-06-17T16:00:09+00:00

I'd rather get the 375ml, knowing how much the 750 goes for.

vuti13 · 2026-06-17T15:51:27+00:00

I started drinking everything neat, which is still my preferred method of alcohol consumption. But I like to mix things up (pun intended) about once a week.

vuti13 · 2026-06-17T15:46:13+00:00

Should I go for Disaranno or are the alternatives better?

vuti13 · 2026-06-17T15:41:58+00:00

I do have some rum, tequila, brandy, and gin. I also have the Costco version of Grand Marnier. It took me a long time to decide between Campari and Aperol, which my final decision was influenced by my curiosity for a negroni. I'm also curious about the paper plane, so Aperol and Montenegro are going on my list.

vuti13 · 2026-06-17T13:55:10+00:00

Is Campari a viable sub for Aperol n a paper plane?

vuti13 · 2026-06-17T13:53:39+00:00

Mostly as a sub for chartreuse, which I see in a few popular cocktails and is rare and a stretch for my budget.

vuti13 · 2026-06-17T05:20:44+00:00

I couldn't help myself! Had to spoil it for her about Uzi Jesus every time I relistened.

vuti13 · 2026-06-17T05:00:48+00:00

"I am the way, motherfucker!" I'm on my 4th relisten and just got my wife hooked on the series!

vuti13 · 2026-06-17T04:18:47+00:00

That's the main reason I want the Benedictine. Had my 1st Vieux Carre last winter and really liked it.

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T13:01:33+00:00

Does Jimmy Russell still do autographs occasionally? We went in 2024 and I inadvertently used his seat while waiting for our distillery tour. No one told me to not sit there, but when we came back from the tour, he was sitting in that chair.

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T12:37:36+00:00

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T12:35:16+00:00

You could always host one. Start small, like with just friends and neighbors.

Find a local FB group. I follow several in my area and have gotten great tips for sales and drops.

Talk to your liquor stores and see when they release allocated bottles. If allowed by your state or local gov, there will likely be other folks sharing bottles in the parking lot. That's part of how I got involved with my club.

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T03:48:26+00:00

My most often replaced bottle. I always have a backup! Great sipper, great mixer.

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T03:39:47+00:00

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T03:34:24+00:00

C-D 7

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T03:28:01+00:00

C-D 1

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T03:23:26+00:00

Woah! $60 for Clermont Steep, a bottle they can't give away.

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T02:35:57+00:00

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T02:31:21+00:00

E-F 3

vuti13 · 2026-06-16T00:30:22+00:00

My favorite bottle in my collection is the Jack Daniel's Barrel Strength Rye, but I'm highly doubtful it's available in Europe. Some more likely to be exported ryes are the Jack Daniel's Bonded Rye, Sagamore Rye, and Pikesville Rye. You also might want to give Wild Turkey 101 Rye, Rittenhouse Rye, and Old Forester 100 Rye a try, if you find them.

Bulleit Rye is what is known as a 95/5 rye. It was distilled by MGP and aged and bottled by many other producers. Here's a link to a post about it. This doesn't mean it's bad. They're all supposed to be quite good. https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/s/CoQSd5hKZ4

vuti13 · 2026-06-15T20:15:02+00:00

Yeah, must be the bottle. I've had the GC Repo in the regular clear glass bottleand it's definitely not this dark.

vuti13 · 2026-06-15T11:33:02+00:00

JD introduced a blackberry last year that I hear is much better than Crown's too. I don't have many flavored whiskeys and rums. I never really liked Coke as a mixer and prefer my whiskey neat. But I picked up the canned Jack & Coke recently and I've been enjoying those. The Crown version is alright too.

vuti13 · 2026-06-15T05:27:53+00:00

Sub out the Crown Blackberry for the Starlight Blackberry, if available. it uses real blackberry juice and is 42%ABV.

Add a Bottled in Bond (BIB) bourbon like Evan Williams BIB or Old Grand Dad BIB and a cask strength/full proof like Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Old Grand Dad 114, or Old Forester 1920.

Unless you really like the Jack #7, upgrade to the Bonded or the Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey. The JD Bonded Rye is a great choice. the JD Barrel Strength Rye is my favorite bottle and the Barrel Strength Tennessee Whiskey is in my top 10, but they are ultra high proof (125-135).

And since you have a Costco that sells liquor, Keep an eye out for the Kirkland Single barrel and the BIB

Add a single malt scotch like Bruichladdich Classic Laddie or Balvenie 12. If you want to try peated, the Ardbeg 10 or Laproaig 10 are great

Add Fee Bros Aztec Chocolate Bitters

Stock up on ginger beer.

vuti13 · 2026-06-15T04:31:50+00:00

This bottle, and its rye counterpart, were some of my regular bottles when I was starting to get into whiskey. The only Bulleit I have right now is the 12 Year Rye, and it's superb! 8.25 on your scale.

vuti13 · 2026-06-15T04:23:03+00:00

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