The Ideal Value Liquor Cabinet (Autumn Edition)

Well, autumn is upon us, and it is time to start planning your fall liquor cabinet. Quite frankly, fall is one of my favorite seasons to drink great value whiskey. As with my summer edition of the ideal liquor cabinet, I think a quality liquor cabinet should have variety, and it should have a few key components. Building a quality liquor cabinet is like building a house; once you have a foundation down, you can go anywhere. Of course, like anything pertaining to whiskey, it all depends on your palate. Since my palate varies depending on the season (and sometimes the day), the possibilities for an ideal liquor cabinet are endless. For what it’s worth, here are my thoughts on an awesome fall liquor cabinet on a budget.

You should have a solid staple. My summer suggestion for a great staple was Buffalo Trace, and I will stand by that whiskey as the leaves begin to change. https://bargainbourbon.com/2012/03/31/buffalo-trace-review/

You should have a solid seasonal whiskey. Since fall is such a great time to enjoy whiskey, there are many options for my favorite fall seasonal whiskey. For the money, I think the best option is Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond. It is spicy and sweet, like good pumpkin pie. Plus, it is a great value buy. https://bargainbourbon.com/2012/07/28/rittenhouse-rye-review/

You should have a mixer. Not everybody that comes over to your house for dinner will want their whiskey straight up, so it is important to have something in the cabinet that you don’t mind seeing go into an Old-Fashioned, Mint Julep, Manhattan, etc. For fall, I recommend Old Grand-Dad Bonded. It is a fine whiskey that I enjoy sipping straight, and it has a nice rye zip for a cocktail. However, it costs under $20, and it is not the best whiskey in the cabinet, so I don’t mind if somebody throws a splash or two in a cocktail. https://bargainbourbon.com/2012/08/17/old-grand-dad-bonded-review/

If I had a little money left over, I would probably go for a couple of my favorite bottles of whiskey that fit the season well. These are the ones that come out on special occasions and will last me into December. If I were me (with a little extra dough), I would get a bottle of Aberlour A’Bunadh and a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask. I have yet to review either one of these whiskys, but they are both fantastic Scotches around $60 a bottle. The Aberlour is sweet, full, lightly floral, and oaky. The Laphroaig Quarter Cask is a lot like the 10 yr. (https://bargainbourbon.com/2012/08/25/laphroaig-10-year-review/), but the former has more complexity, more balance, and a bigger influence from the cask. Don’t worry, though, it still has monstrous helpings of peat and smoke. As my rooomate, Chris Broadwell, says “If you can’t go camping this fall, drink Laphroaig.”

Those are my thoughts on the ideal autumn liquor cabinet. What whiskeys did I leave out? Which ones did I get right? What does your autumn liquor cabinet look like?

6 responses to “The Ideal Value Liquor Cabinet (Autumn Edition)”

WmGemmell
October 5th, 2012 at 20:41

Hey Phil, you moved – new location, same great “spirits”.

I was reading through some news and thought of your blog after coming across an article regarding the Willett Distillery and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. I had gone to the old URL and saw that you relocated.

Ah, autumn favorites – great topic, even greater season. Some of my go-to whiskies this fall will be…

Staple:
Highland Park 12 – Heather honey, pineapple, fresh apples, a touch of spice, and it has that nice light peat and smoky finish that leaves you wanting more.

For a good fall value scotch, I would say Old Pulteney 12 year – Honey-ginger tea, seaside and maritime, and a little tangerine. It’s a little sweetness with a touch of salt.

Some fall specials:
Bruichladdich Laddie 10 – Crisp citrus, sea salt, vegetal notes, a nice sweetness, fruits with a little spice, and a bit of oak.
Ardbeg Uigeadail – Pleasant smoke, vanilla, leather, walnuts, dry fruits, pine, cinnamon and some other spices. This whisky screams fall. On colder nights, a reach for its peatier brother, Ardbeg 10, might come about.
In the area of bourbon, High West Campfire might make it in the cabinet. This was one of my favorite bourbons that I got to try at Live. Caramel, vanilla, some rye spices, and wonderful smoke from burning pine needles and pine bark.

Mixer:
McClelland’s Speyside – Decent single malt, and for $20 per 750ml I wouldn’t mind if anyone splashed in some ginger ale, tonic water, or something else of their liking.

If I had the extra funds, I would perhaps go for a bottle of Lagavulin 16. I did thoroughly enjoy the Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition that I got to try. One whisky I’m VERY anxious to try is the Glendronach 15 Year Revival. Bottled at 46%, it’s supposed to be a superb whisky made under the distillery’s new owner, Billy Walker. If I find this one at a good price, I’ll pick it up and you and I will give it a go.

I’ll have to “swing by” more often. Great reviews, Bud. On a funny note I now see why you and Henry kept laughing every time he said, “let it ride”.

Slàinte!
Wm

bargainbourbon
October 5th, 2012 at 22:26

It has been quite a while since I had anything from Highland Park. Perhaps a sampling of that fine single malt is in order this fall. I have yet to try the Laddie 10, but I am hoping to delve into their range some time soon. Both Ardbeg Uigeadail and Lagavulin 16 are phenomenal whiskies (I slightly prefer the Uigeadail), but they are usually out of my price range ($70-90 a bottle). That is why I recommended the Laphroaig Quarter Cask. I think it lacks some of the complexity of the Uigeadail, but it is just as good as the Lagavulin 16 even though the Laphroaig is $15 cheaper per bottle.

High West Campfire is a unique whiskey that I would definitely recommend. I am hoping to do some reviews of High West in the future. They make a great line of whiskeys under $50 a bottle.

To my readers, if you enjoy a wide variety of Scotches, try out William’s suggestions. William knows more about Scotch than I do, and he is leading us all in a very good direction when he suggests Ardbeg Uigeadail.

Let it ride,
Phil

WmGemmell
October 5th, 2012 at 23:30

Lagavulin is definitely a tough one. Excellent whisky but the steep price makes it a tough buy. Good for a Christmas wish list perhaps. Laphroaig Quarter Cask and Uigeadail are definitely better value wise and make the “great bang for the buck” list. Uigeadail can be overpriced at certain locations, but there are a couple places that sell it for $65 – awesome value. In the category of great Islay and value, Ardbeg 10 year will always come to mind. Unfortunately it gets passed by a lot nowadays with specially marketed expressions. I love the cask influence on Quarter Cask.

Regarding HP and Bruichladdich, we’ll have to make time before the holidays and finally get together. You’ll enjoy the Laddie 10.

WmGemmell
October 8th, 2012 at 09:32

I meant to mention, and as you recommended, A’Bunadh makes for a perfect fall dram! Amazing whisky that’s around the top of the ‘bang for the buck’ list. It will probably either be A’Bunadh or Uigeadail that accompanies me back home for Thanksgiving this year.

bargainbourbon
October 9th, 2012 at 09:34

It’s hard to argue with either one of those whiskies as your Thanksgiving dram. It all depends whether you’re in the mood for Speyside or Islay.
Speaking of great fall drams, I got to try the 2012 bottling of Laphroaig’s 10 yr. Cask Strength last night. I was surprised at how much complexity it boasted over the standard 10 yr. offering. The peat was sweeter and saltier, with some dried fruits and oak spices coming through. The barrel definitely had more influence, and it was a very good whisky overall. I thought it was better than the 18 yr., but not quite as good as the Quarter Cask.

WmGemmell
October 9th, 2012 at 22:23

I’ve heard great and “powerful” things about Laphroaig’s cask strength 10 year expression. “The authentic Laphroaig”. I’ve yet to try the cask strength or the 18, but heard the cask strength opens well with water. The 18 I can imagine would be a lot calmer due to the time in cask; less of a peat influence. The 18 isn’t on the radar but the cask strength is on the list. Perhaps sometime around Christmas break.

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WmGemmell
October 5th, 2012 at 20:41

Hey Phil, you moved – new location, same great “spirits”.

I was reading through some news and thought of your blog after coming across an article regarding the Willett Distillery and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. I had gone to the old URL and saw that you relocated.

Ah, autumn favorites – great topic, even greater season. Some of my go-to whiskies this fall will be…

Staple:
Highland Park 12 – Heather honey, pineapple, fresh apples, a touch of spice, and it has that nice light peat and smoky finish that leaves you wanting more.

For a good fall value scotch, I would say Old Pulteney 12 year – Honey-ginger tea, seaside and maritime, and a little tangerine. It’s a little sweetness with a touch of salt.

Some fall specials:
Bruichladdich Laddie 10 – Crisp citrus, sea salt, vegetal notes, a nice sweetness, fruits with a little spice, and a bit of oak.
Ardbeg Uigeadail – Pleasant smoke, vanilla, leather, walnuts, dry fruits, pine, cinnamon and some other spices. This whisky screams fall. On colder nights, a reach for its peatier brother, Ardbeg 10, might come about.
In the area of bourbon, High West Campfire might make it in the cabinet. This was one of my favorite bourbons that I got to try at Live. Caramel, vanilla, some rye spices, and wonderful smoke from burning pine needles and pine bark.

Mixer:
McClelland’s Speyside – Decent single malt, and for $20 per 750ml I wouldn’t mind if anyone splashed in some ginger ale, tonic water, or something else of their liking.

If I had the extra funds, I would perhaps go for a bottle of Lagavulin 16. I did thoroughly enjoy the Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition that I got to try. One whisky I’m VERY anxious to try is the Glendronach 15 Year Revival. Bottled at 46%, it’s supposed to be a superb whisky made under the distillery’s new owner, Billy Walker. If I find this one at a good price, I’ll pick it up and you and I will give it a go.

I’ll have to “swing by” more often. Great reviews, Bud. On a funny note I now see why you and Henry kept laughing every time he said, “let it ride”.

Slàinte!
Wm

bargainbourbon
October 5th, 2012 at 22:26

It has been quite a while since I had anything from Highland Park. Perhaps a sampling of that fine single malt is in order this fall. I have yet to try the Laddie 10, but I am hoping to delve into their range some time soon. Both Ardbeg Uigeadail and Lagavulin 16 are phenomenal whiskies (I slightly prefer the Uigeadail), but they are usually out of my price range ($70-90 a bottle). That is why I recommended the Laphroaig Quarter Cask. I think it lacks some of the complexity of the Uigeadail, but it is just as good as the Lagavulin 16 even though the Laphroaig is $15 cheaper per bottle.

High West Campfire is a unique whiskey that I would definitely recommend. I am hoping to do some reviews of High West in the future. They make a great line of whiskeys under $50 a bottle.

To my readers, if you enjoy a wide variety of Scotches, try out William’s suggestions. William knows more about Scotch than I do, and he is leading us all in a very good direction when he suggests Ardbeg Uigeadail.

Let it ride,
Phil

WmGemmell
October 5th, 2012 at 23:30

Lagavulin is definitely a tough one. Excellent whisky but the steep price makes it a tough buy. Good for a Christmas wish list perhaps. Laphroaig Quarter Cask and Uigeadail are definitely better value wise and make the “great bang for the buck” list. Uigeadail can be overpriced at certain locations, but there are a couple places that sell it for $65 – awesome value. In the category of great Islay and value, Ardbeg 10 year will always come to mind. Unfortunately it gets passed by a lot nowadays with specially marketed expressions. I love the cask influence on Quarter Cask.

Regarding HP and Bruichladdich, we’ll have to make time before the holidays and finally get together. You’ll enjoy the Laddie 10.

Wm

WmGemmell
October 8th, 2012 at 09:32

I meant to mention, and as you recommended, A’Bunadh makes for a perfect fall dram! Amazing whisky that’s around the top of the ‘bang for the buck’ list. It will probably either be A’Bunadh or Uigeadail that accompanies me back home for Thanksgiving this year.

bargainbourbon
October 9th, 2012 at 09:34

It’s hard to argue with either one of those whiskies as your Thanksgiving dram. It all depends whether you’re in the mood for Speyside or Islay.
Speaking of great fall drams, I got to try the 2012 bottling of Laphroaig’s 10 yr. Cask Strength last night. I was surprised at how much complexity it boasted over the standard 10 yr. offering. The peat was sweeter and saltier, with some dried fruits and oak spices coming through. The barrel definitely had more influence, and it was a very good whisky overall. I thought it was better than the 18 yr., but not quite as good as the Quarter Cask.

WmGemmell
October 9th, 2012 at 22:23

I’ve heard great and “powerful” things about Laphroaig’s cask strength 10 year expression. “The authentic Laphroaig”. I’ve yet to try the cask strength or the 18, but heard the cask strength opens well with water. The 18 I can imagine would be a lot calmer due to the time in cask; less of a peat influence. The 18 isn’t on the radar but the cask strength is on the list. Perhaps sometime around Christmas break.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask Scotch Review « Bargain Bourbon October 29th, 2012 at 12:16

[…] it is the perfect time to drink some big whisky. In my idea of a perfect autumn liquor cabinet (https://bargainbourbon.com/2012/10/03/the-ideal-value-liquor-cabinet-autumn-edition/), I said that when the money hit me, I would usually try to keep a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask […]

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