You NEED these Spirits to start your home bar

You can find a list of all the Spirits mentioned in this video below:

Bourbon:
Old Forester 100
Old Grand-Dad 114

Rye Whiskey:
Old Forester 100

Scotch:
Monkey Shoulder

Gin:
Beefeater
Plymouth

Vodka:
Kettle One
Titos

Rum:
Flor De Cana
Plantation Dark

Tequila:
Herradura
Exotico

Cognac:
Maison Rogue

Vermouth:
Cocchi Di Torino
Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Ambrato

Liquors:
Cointreau
Campari

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[bryanravell]

Having a bar like yours…..life goals. Love your passion for sharing the finer details; of whiskey(especially) and classy cocktails. All the best in the year ahead Sir 🥃

[pinkyellowblue]

For rum I like having basic stuff like Bacardi Carta Blanca and Plantation original dark for cocktails.I think the Plantation rums are really good in general.

[Kevin]

And now we get to the good part. Everything I need today finally arrives to start making old-fashioneds and I need more to go with the collection so thanks again for continuing this series, Kurt.

[terryfeagins]

This is the PERFECT video, for us home bar owners !!! Thank you big time !! You guys are my #1 go to for any of my bar tips!! Keep up the great videos SLB !!

[AETønnessen]

Good tip on the dry vermouth. I'm gonna give that a try. Maybe I'll like this one .

[sinelocum]

I think the classic laddie is fundamental. It’s fantastic

[ltthomas]

Spot on for the ol granddad 114 and ol Forrester's 100 proof. Both great tasting and in my bar. Never tried the ol Forrester's rye. Have to add that to my shopping cart. Great video!

[sanchezjr]

Loved the video! I started my home bar over 7 years ago. I agree that Ketel One is the best mixing vodka and best value. I have over 35 different bottles of rum. Try a spiced rum, not crazy about flavored rums, only coconut.

[johnsharpp]

For dark rum I always go for Zacapa Centenario Solera 23 years old.

[robertostolfa]

On the rum front... I was recently recommended worthy park 109. I think it's a great addition to the bar.

[robertoboertje]

An essential besides Campara i my bar is Aperol. It's lighter, sweeter and less bitter then Campari.

[chadm]

Another great vodka for a good price is Wheatley’s vodka. Russian standard is also very good. For tequila Petron silver is excellent. For sipping bourbon is either knob creek 9 or larceny bourbon. Mixing bourbon for me is Jim beam. I use white rum for fruity drinks, for rum and coke I usually use captain Morgan. These are just my opinions on what I use.

[RealJahzir]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately the American Whiskey suggestions don't seem to be available in Ontario

[stevewright]

On the Rum Front many people get confused between gold, dark, black and aged rum. Many can be split between many categories. Gold, dark and aged are sometimes used interchangeably although should be different categories. A nice inexpensive aged rum such as El Dorado 12 (Around $28-30) or Diplomatico Mantuano ($23-25) can cover many of these. Sometimes people also mistake Black Rum with dark rum. Entirely different flavor profile on Black rums (Gossling or Vizcaya Black are great choices) and are needed for specific drinks. Unless a fan of those specific drinks, black rum is not required in starter bar.

[adamwright]

Kurt, you've taken on a much bigger task than it sounds. I agree with your six categories (although I'd include brandy/cognac as a 7th), but there are way too many good value options to go with one or two. Besides your excellent recommendations, I would suggest:
Rye: Bulleit, Wild Turkey 101, Elijah Craig (all $25 and under)
Bourbon: Wild Turkey 101, Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, Four Roses yellow label (all $20 and under)
Gin: Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's (generally $30 and under)
Rum: Anything from Flor de Cana is great, but would suggest Myer's for a dark rum
Tequila: El Jimador (under $20) and Cazadores (under $25) for both silver and reposado
Vodka: Tito's and Ketel One are great picks, but for something a little less obvious I love Prairie Organic (corn), Fair Quinoa Vodka, and Blue Ice (potato).

And always use the best mixers you can afford. Cocchi is excellent, as id Dolin for a dry vermouth. Carpano Antica is also a great sweet vermouth.

[larrydayag]

Monkey shoulder is blend. Great tips though, love your bar setup!

[terryjohnson]

Also recommend 93 Vermouth from Lincoln & Main - its a rhubarb based sweet vermouth and makes an excellent manhatten as well as a sipping vermouth

[stevenprobst]

For your dark rum, try Pillar. Excellent rum, occasionally I'll even sip it with desert! Also good to note the Tito's is gluten free. Not all vodkas are. It's good to know incase your creating a drink for a person with a gluten allergy.

[matthoernemann]

For those that drink gin, what are the thoughts on barrel aged gin?

[YokoSenpai-nc]

for dark rum I am a fan of Myer's