I went through the liquor cabinet today to see what we need for the holidays. I'm curious what everyone buys? What's worth the money?
For whiskey I like Bushmills as a middle of the road brand since half of the time the whiskey is being added to something (usually my coffee). For something I drink straight like Aquavit I buy a better name. We need to replace the vodka but I don't drink it anymore so I don't know what to buy. Vodka is trendy right now so all of them seem overpriced.
For beer we usually buy Harp and Guinness for black and tans, Yuengling or Smithwicks, and Franziskaner or Ringnes if I can get it. In my state you have to buy a case at a time, so sampling brews like Dog Fish is hard to do. I really need to learn how to brew my own.
Most Bang for the Buck--Liquor
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LiquidSapphire
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For vodka we are very brand loyal to Luksusowa. It supposedly has won in blind taste tests against Grey Goose, Skyy, and other heavy hitters. I enjoy it. It was recommend to us by the liquor store personnel actually, but they to date have always been right on for us. It's fairly inexpensive, especially compared to the premiums.
For Rum we enjoy Flor de Caña. It has a very smooth flavor and just overall a good buy for its price. It's around $20 for a largeish bottle also. This was another liquor store recommendation that it turned out we really enjoyed.
Studies show that even really heavy wine connoiseurs cannot tell the difference between high quality and low quality wine, really. We actually tried the boxed stuff and it's actually pretty decent. Hard to beat $11 for 5 liters. It also lasts several weeks also, unlike bottled wine.
For Rum we enjoy Flor de Caña. It has a very smooth flavor and just overall a good buy for its price. It's around $20 for a largeish bottle also. This was another liquor store recommendation that it turned out we really enjoyed.
Studies show that even really heavy wine connoiseurs cannot tell the difference between high quality and low quality wine, really. We actually tried the boxed stuff and it's actually pretty decent. Hard to beat $11 for 5 liters. It also lasts several weeks also, unlike bottled wine.
The cheapest thing per unit of alcohol is "spirytus rektyfikowany", which you can find next to the everclear.
The only people who can tell properly mixed drinks with spirytus apart from mixed drinks with other alcohols either drink a lot, are concerned with status, or are snobs. (in other words, almost everyone!)
Second cheapest is probably box wine or home brewing.
The only people who can tell properly mixed drinks with spirytus apart from mixed drinks with other alcohols either drink a lot, are concerned with status, or are snobs. (in other words, almost everyone!)
Second cheapest is probably box wine or home brewing.
I don't drink a lot but do like Good Stuff and tend to drink most of it Straight Up.
Lillet (Rouge or Blanc)
Sempe Armangac
Goslings Black Seal Rum
Lustau East India Sherry
Sandemans Port
I look at it this way....I take whatever a Bar asks for the cheapest form of my tipple (you know the rum that comes in unlabeled 55 gallon barrels for the pre-mix set up) in the standard 1 ounce shot size...multiply it by:
25 (actually 25.6) for a Fifth Size Bottle
32 for a Quart Bottle
33 (33.25) for a Liter Bottle
and that is the max price I will pay for a Bottle of Fine Spirits.
This of course leaves a LOT of room...LOL!!!
$4 for a cheap Rum and Coke in a bar means I can pay up to $100 for a fifth of good Rum that I will mix and drink at home spending the same as I would at a bar.
Now if you DO buy a $100 bottle of Rum you are going to tend to Ration it.... even to yourself.... so maybe one or two bottles a year.
But LOTS of VERY GOOD Rums available in under $30 a Liter.
Now Wine on the other hand..."Two Buck Chucks" works fine....LOL!
Lillet (Rouge or Blanc)
Sempe Armangac
Goslings Black Seal Rum
Lustau East India Sherry
Sandemans Port
I look at it this way....I take whatever a Bar asks for the cheapest form of my tipple (you know the rum that comes in unlabeled 55 gallon barrels for the pre-mix set up) in the standard 1 ounce shot size...multiply it by:
25 (actually 25.6) for a Fifth Size Bottle
32 for a Quart Bottle
33 (33.25) for a Liter Bottle
and that is the max price I will pay for a Bottle of Fine Spirits.
This of course leaves a LOT of room...LOL!!!
$4 for a cheap Rum and Coke in a bar means I can pay up to $100 for a fifth of good Rum that I will mix and drink at home spending the same as I would at a bar.
Now if you DO buy a $100 bottle of Rum you are going to tend to Ration it.... even to yourself.... so maybe one or two bottles a year.
But LOTS of VERY GOOD Rums available in under $30 a Liter.
Now Wine on the other hand..."Two Buck Chucks" works fine....LOL!
I go with Jack Daniel's. I buy the 1.75 liter bottle when it goes on sale, usually around $33-$35 for the bottle. I measure the shot when I make a drink, so that the drink tastes consistently the same and so that I avoid progressively strengthening my drinks over time. Factoring in the cost of the mixer (typically caffeine free diet coke), I get the cost of a single drink down to around $1-- just considering the liquor and mixer. I haven't factored in transportation to buy it, storage, ice costs, cleaning/depreciation of the glass, etc...
It's relatively costly when you compare this to frugal alternatives, but far cheaper than buying drinks in a restaurant or bar.
@FrugalZen, In the US, a "single" shot should be 1.5 ounces, though there is a "small" shot, 1 ounce.
It's relatively costly when you compare this to frugal alternatives, but far cheaper than buying drinks in a restaurant or bar.
@FrugalZen, In the US, a "single" shot should be 1.5 ounces, though there is a "small" shot, 1 ounce.
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jacob
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Best whisky blend: Johnnie Walker Black
Best generic single malt: The Glennlivet (alt. Glennfiddich)
These are "safe" for non-whisky drinkers. I think if you spend more than $35, you have a pretty good idea anyway and don't need any suggestions.
Now, if you're going to mix it, don't bother, just get something in a plastic bottle that says whiskey or hooch on the label. Also, hide the more expensive bottles lest they be used for mixing. One of my xGFs used my black label to make Irish coffee. Another X used it to make cough syrup. And no, N=2 is not enough to conclude anything statistically. Still sayin'
Best generic single malt: The Glennlivet (alt. Glennfiddich)
These are "safe" for non-whisky drinkers. I think if you spend more than $35, you have a pretty good idea anyway and don't need any suggestions.
Now, if you're going to mix it, don't bother, just get something in a plastic bottle that says whiskey or hooch on the label. Also, hide the more expensive bottles lest they be used for mixing. One of my xGFs used my black label to make Irish coffee. Another X used it to make cough syrup. And no, N=2 is not enough to conclude anything statistically. Still sayin'
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aussierogue
- Posts: 379
- Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 1:02 pm
A couple of my personal favorite recipes:
--2 tubes of apple juice concentrate (makes 1 gallon)
--1 cup of sugar
Mix it all in a gallon milk jug, top with a balloon & rubber band and wait a week. Sip and enjoy the yeasty buzz.
The 2nd recipe is grape juice instead of apple.
1 gallon of hooch for a couple of bucks.
Have to try distilling the hooch to see if I can give it more of a kick!
--2 tubes of apple juice concentrate (makes 1 gallon)
--1 cup of sugar
Mix it all in a gallon milk jug, top with a balloon & rubber band and wait a week. Sip and enjoy the yeasty buzz.
The 2nd recipe is grape juice instead of apple.
1 gallon of hooch for a couple of bucks.
Have to try distilling the hooch to see if I can give it more of a kick!
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jennypenny
- Posts: 6858
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 2:20 pm
Haha Jacob, you would have dropped me like a hot potato! In my defense, I recently started hiding it in my coffee more often because my kids started counting how many drinks I'd consume.
I'm jealous of all of the wine suggestions. I can't drink wine or rum, and they seem to be the least expensive ways to have decent quality alcohol.
I'm jealous of all of the wine suggestions. I can't drink wine or rum, and they seem to be the least expensive ways to have decent quality alcohol.
While I do agree with Jacob's nominations for scotch, I personally have found that for the price, bourbon is a much better deal than scotch. I can get a great bottle of bourbon for under 30 bucks, whereas I can only get a mediocre scotch for that price. Of course this may only be true here in the US since it is made in Kentucky. As for the best deal, Evan Williams black label is dirt cheap and as good or better than whiskeys twice it's price. And if you can find their singe malt, it's pure heaven in a bottle for around $25. Of course if you're just mixing, who cares, use the cheap stuff in the plastic bottle on the bottom shelf.
For absolute best bang for the buck... when I was in high school, I would split a bottle of everclear with a couple buddies, mix it half and half with mountain dew or your chosen mixer, and get completely obliterated! And you can tell your kids "it's just one drink!"
For absolute best bang for the buck... when I was in high school, I would split a bottle of everclear with a couple buddies, mix it half and half with mountain dew or your chosen mixer, and get completely obliterated! And you can tell your kids "it's just one drink!"
Old Charter 12 year old. Potion of choice by far!
Used to drink rum but I nearly "died" once (or wished I could) on a rum-drunk, so while I still love the taste, I am cautious, and yeah, I know whose fault it was I got rum-drunk. (One is never quite as drunk as being rum-drunk).
So my Old Charter and my fridge of imported beers will carry the mail here.
For normal meals, I like either George Killian or Fosters.
Used to drink rum but I nearly "died" once (or wished I could) on a rum-drunk, so while I still love the taste, I am cautious, and yeah, I know whose fault it was I got rum-drunk. (One is never quite as drunk as being rum-drunk).
So my Old Charter and my fridge of imported beers will carry the mail here.
For normal meals, I like either George Killian or Fosters.
Seems like there's a couple interpretations of what the definition of the 'bang' part is. My interpretation is mind alteration.... so....
+1 Boxed wine. 6.66 bottles for < $15? Geeze... grape juice and cider are more expensive than that.
#2 Low grade 30 packs on sale. Ice beer is slightly higher gravity for similar price. Nothing tasty, but no worse than Bud IMHO (ain't saying much).
LOL @m741... embarrassed to say I actually ran across that post via independent research
+1 Boxed wine. 6.66 bottles for < $15? Geeze... grape juice and cider are more expensive than that.
#2 Low grade 30 packs on sale. Ice beer is slightly higher gravity for similar price. Nothing tasty, but no worse than Bud IMHO (ain't saying much).
LOL @m741... embarrassed to say I actually ran across that post via independent research
I'm going to have to go the true ERE route here and and say that since most people on here probably aren't in college anymore, quality is better than quantity. IMO, I prefer to enjoy my alcohol in smaller amounts, rather than try and get hammered. Take my suggestions with a grain of salt, but I do own a bar so I know a thing or two...
Vodka:
If you're mixing, go with Viking Fjord. Best bang for your buck hands down--it's cheap and it's tasty. I prefer it with cranberry juice. If you're drinking it straight or being fancy and mixing nice vodkas go with Ketel One, Hangar One, Belvedere, or Chopin.
Gin:
I think cheap gin is gross, but some people love it. I'd say go with Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's, Tanqueray, or Tanqueray 10 (in that order), whether you are mixing it or not.
Rum:
Rum is pretty much always mixed. Go with the cheap stuff.
Tequila:
If you're making margaritas go cheap. If you're savoring it you should know enough to only go with anejo (never blanco, sometimes reposado can be ok).
Whisk(e)y:
The best category, IMHO.
Scotch: Go with Jacob's recommendations of Glenfiddich or Glenlivet (two very good 12 year Scotches). Only a seasoned Scotch drinker would be able discern much better than that, and once you get into 18 and 25+ year Scotches the price is NEVER worth it.
Canadian: Pendelton for sipping. Crown Royal sucks and you shouldn't mix it. If you mix a Canadian Whiskey go with Black Velvet.
American: Makers Mark for sipping or Manhattans is the best bang for your buck, every time. Go cheap for mixing--Evan Williams will do. If you're going high end try Basil Hayden's or Black Maple Hill on ice...they are amazing and worth every penny.
Wine: Any wine drinker knows GREAT wine can be had for $20 a bottle and under. If you spend much more than that you're either a huge fan or a huge fool.
Beer: Go big or go cheap! I prefer to drink nice IPA's from obscure breweries, but I live in the Pacific Northwest where it is a haven for good beer so I'm spoiled.
I think alcohol, like anything in life, is best enjoyed in moderation. If I'm not going to drink a ton of it I feel it is best to make it count and drink something enjoyable rather than drink a low quality product, but that's just me.
Vodka:
If you're mixing, go with Viking Fjord. Best bang for your buck hands down--it's cheap and it's tasty. I prefer it with cranberry juice. If you're drinking it straight or being fancy and mixing nice vodkas go with Ketel One, Hangar One, Belvedere, or Chopin.
Gin:
I think cheap gin is gross, but some people love it. I'd say go with Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's, Tanqueray, or Tanqueray 10 (in that order), whether you are mixing it or not.
Rum:
Rum is pretty much always mixed. Go with the cheap stuff.
Tequila:
If you're making margaritas go cheap. If you're savoring it you should know enough to only go with anejo (never blanco, sometimes reposado can be ok).
Whisk(e)y:
The best category, IMHO.
Scotch: Go with Jacob's recommendations of Glenfiddich or Glenlivet (two very good 12 year Scotches). Only a seasoned Scotch drinker would be able discern much better than that, and once you get into 18 and 25+ year Scotches the price is NEVER worth it.
Canadian: Pendelton for sipping. Crown Royal sucks and you shouldn't mix it. If you mix a Canadian Whiskey go with Black Velvet.
American: Makers Mark for sipping or Manhattans is the best bang for your buck, every time. Go cheap for mixing--Evan Williams will do. If you're going high end try Basil Hayden's or Black Maple Hill on ice...they are amazing and worth every penny.
Wine: Any wine drinker knows GREAT wine can be had for $20 a bottle and under. If you spend much more than that you're either a huge fan or a huge fool.
Beer: Go big or go cheap! I prefer to drink nice IPA's from obscure breweries, but I live in the Pacific Northwest where it is a haven for good beer so I'm spoiled.
I think alcohol, like anything in life, is best enjoyed in moderation. If I'm not going to drink a ton of it I feel it is best to make it count and drink something enjoyable rather than drink a low quality product, but that's just me.
I drink two buck chuck (cab). Sure you can get a good wine for $10. But is it 5 times better? Not to me. If I want something really good, I'll go for the $20-$30 range on special occasions... But that's not what we are talking about.
Franzia is cheaper, and I like the preservation qualities of boxes. Heavy wine drinkersay not be able to tell the difference between SOME low quality wines, but they will immediately recognize the cloying sweetness of Franzia (which is probably more due to the target demographic than ability to make decent cheap wine)
Other cheapies are any bottom shelf liquor (eg popov) but you have to mix it to tolerate it.. I prefer the chuck.
Note that at $3 on the east coast, I might switch to something like black box cab on sale.
Franzia is cheaper, and I like the preservation qualities of boxes. Heavy wine drinkersay not be able to tell the difference between SOME low quality wines, but they will immediately recognize the cloying sweetness of Franzia (which is probably more due to the target demographic than ability to make decent cheap wine)
Other cheapies are any bottom shelf liquor (eg popov) but you have to mix it to tolerate it.. I prefer the chuck.
Note that at $3 on the east coast, I might switch to something like black box cab on sale.
This research has already been completed;
http://www.foodfight.org.uk/other/images/trampindex.pdf
"A Quantitative Analysis of the Drinks Market from the Perspective of a Tramp"
"an exceptionally well researched paper into the micro-economics of drinking, ie what's got the most bang per buck"
http://www.foodfight.org.uk/other/images/trampindex.pdf
"A Quantitative Analysis of the Drinks Market from the Perspective of a Tramp"
"an exceptionally well researched paper into the micro-economics of drinking, ie what's got the most bang per buck"
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Far Raider
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:17 pm
@ Arrrrrgh, There is a great site www.homedistiller.org that has more info than you can use about 'stilling inclusive of recipes to start you off - not that you would do anything illegal. Check out the forums there.
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