Suggest me: Straight Alcohol
Saturday, October 20th, 2007 - 4:02am
I'll be turning 21 on Monday and as such will immediately begin working on wiping clean any memory of aging, or anything I'll be doing that week in general. 
I've seen threads to suggest mixed drinks but I was more curious as to what specific brands of alcohol that the goodjers swear by. If you have any suggestions for the best brands of vodka, tequila, etc. let me know! Beers included but I'm a bigger fan of harder drinks. 
laphroiag single malt is the bomb
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PS: Beer is straight alcohol. Don't get Zima - that's not for straight people.
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What exactly is your taste? Liquours with complex taste or more simpler ones?
In the simpler tastes, I'm a sucker for Irish whisky: Tullamore Dew or - for "everyday" drinking - Jameson. Good vodka is also a great choice, just remember to cool it down. The colder, the better. You're looking for consistency of gasoline, actually - slow-flowing, dense liquid. Freezer is your friend in achieving that. Same goes for gin, just choose a quality gin (you can't lose with Beefeater, for example).
In the complex tastes, I go for Fernet (Stock is the brand name) or Becherovka, but I'm not sure of their availability over the pond. Both are special herb liquors. Absinth is also a good choice, if it's allowed in the USA (it's banned in some European countries). Rarely do you get your hands on drink with 80 percent of alcohol
And of course, down here in Central Europe, we swear on our homemade plum brandy. The stronger the better. The one I use as a cure for all illnesses is 56 percent strong and is one of the weaker ones
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I'm pretty positive that Zima isn't for anyone.
I'd like to know myself! I haven't had the opportunity to drink that much thus far into my life. A combination of rather straight-edge friends throughout my school years, an alcoholic mother (dropping my want to drink to approximately zero) and my complete indifference on seeking such substances out. I've had a few American "standard" beers, some cheap Vodkas and a couple random mixed drinks which I can't quite remember the names of and other than that am a relative n00b to the subject. I'm almost positive that i've come across some Becherovka before when my aunt gave me a shot at the eastern European restaurant she worked at, awesome taste to it!
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Jack Daniels is a solid choice. Straight up.
For beer, you can't go wrong with Storm King Stout.
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Absolut vodka is the best vodka as far as I'm concerned. Some people like that swill Grey Goose but I can't stand it, tastes a lot like Phillips to me. The best way to take vodka, whether shots or sipped, is to place in your freezer for several hours. After properly chilled, shot away! Although Jag is meant to be sipped, Jag is much the same. But I usually just put it in the fridge.
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Generally, if you're unfamiliar with alcohol consumption, I'd stay away from drinking straight up liquor off the bat. You'll probably not enjoy it, and will make yourself sick. If you're mixing drinks I'd be less concerned with top-shelf, as the flavors get muddled in with the mixers anyway. If you're doing shots, I wouldn't bother being too picky, as you barely taste it anyway.
That being said, it's hard to go wrong with just about any 12-18 year single malt highland scotch, and I'm also a big fan of Hendrick's Gin (very dry, 2 olives), although I know for most people straight gin or scotch is a little strong for their tastes. I guess I just share the Scottish propensity for consuming terrible things.
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This thread may prove helpful: Recommend me a Single Malt
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Tequila!
Tequila!
Tequila!
Fedaykin98 wrote:
wordsmythe wrote:
Fixed.
I'm with Reaper on Absolut. I always have a large bottle of it in the freezer. I enjoy the flavor of Jagermeister, but it usually leads to an extended session of worshiping the Porcelain Goddess.
Looking forward to the hangover cures thread.
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Ah, they grow up so quick these days.
Ok, this is hard to swallow for someone turning 21, but cheap liquor isn't worth drinking. For your first official outing, spend some coin, get the good stuff.
Ok, first, check the Single Malt thread, as suggested.
You probably won't like scotch at first, but you owe it to yourself to start off right and get a good single malt under your belt. Laphroiag, Macallan, and Balvenie are good places to start. Go to the bar, ask if they have a 15 year or better.
Tequila wise, order Patron Silver. If you can't find that, what you are looking for are añejo or extra-añejo. If you can't find that El Tesoro de Don Felipe Platinum is an amazing blanco.
Gin: Hendricks, Tanqerey 10, or Bombay Sapphire. In order of importance. Don't waste time on cheap gin.
Vodka: I don't do vodka.
Cognac: you probably can only find Hennessy, Courvoisier, or Remy Martin readily available. I like Remy the least of the three. The best that I have had was a Louis Baron VSOP which was superlative.
Rum: Flor de Cana, the 12 or 18 year old. Mount Gay makes an Extra Old which is really nice as well.
There's an overwhelming array of single malts Scotches that, as DrunkenSleipnir's mentioned, are well-covered in another thread. However, if you do discover yourself to be a Scotch fan, I'd recommend that you try the Irish whiskey Redbreast. It's rare among Irish whiskies because it's a single, and it's aged 12 years (although apparently, there's a 15-year old version out there, too). If you like more laid-back Scotches, give it a try.
I also like the "super gins" that use fresh ingredients as opposed to dried. It gives the gin a flavour that's worth trying unsullied by tonic water. Hendick's gin is very good, with cucumber and rose petals.
And no matter what anyone tries to tell you, and no matter how much you like Rimbaud, don't try Absinthe.
I like single malt or, more commonly, decent bourbon like Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, or Knob Creek.
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Being from KY I am required by law to recommend Knob Creek or any other quality bourbon that is described in the other thread.
or
Go for Tequila and Jager shots because if you remember your 21st bday then you didn't have enough fun!
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You said they were a good size.
Fedaykin98 wrote:
wordsmythe wrote:
Ah a subject close to my heart.
Whoever said you can't go wrong with Beefeater is cordially invited to my house for a lesson and a spanking. Hendricks it is. Ten and Sapphire are decent substitutes, but I find Ten a bit flowery for my tastes. Hendricks is the perfect Martini gin.
Vodka: Ciroc. There is no other. 42 Below isn't bad, and if forced to choose from commonly available bar vodka, I'd take absolut. Avoid all the flavored crap.
Noilly Prat vermouth, sweet and dry, and don't get all afraid to use it.
Crown Royal for blended whiskey. Too many good single malts to mention. If you HAVE to drink bourbon, Booker's.
If you're going to work on being an amateur mixologist (something I highly recommend) there are only a handful of drinks you need to know. And when you have folks over, don't just say "what can I get you," tell them what you're making. "Martini? Margaritta? Manhattan? Beer or Wine?"
As for the recipes: Martini, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, Margarita (not from a mix, using superfine sugar), cosmo, and a correct gin&tonic and you have most folks covered. Rusty Nail's and White/Black Russians round out the sweet drinkers. Amaretto and a good brandy are always good to have, and if you REALLY want to impress people, learn how to muddle, and how to serve absinthe and pernod correctly (google).
Manhattans require bitters.
Always use large, pimentoed olives.
Remember, the more thought and money you put into your alcohol, the less likely you are to drink too much of it. A fine drink should be an act of worship, not an act of gluttony.
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Oh how I pity the unenlightened.
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If you really want to go Irish head straight for Potcheen.
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Belvadier or Grey Goose+ tonic+ Cranberry
Throw in an Irish Car Bomb once or twice.
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Always keep a bottle of Grey Goose in the freezer. I always have a decent bottle of scotch as well. Glenlevet and Glenfiddich are among my usual choices. If your are feeling a little tropical, I enjoyed Mount Gay rum (yes the name is ridiculous). Picked up some in Barbados. They claim to be the oldest rum or oldest distillery or something, but it was pretty tasty.
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thirdeded on the tequila
Patron is also my favorite, but $8 a shot might hit ya a little hard. Anything 1800 or better'll do nicely
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Mount Gay is awesome. Bajan rum is the only way to go. And Patron silver doesn't set you back 8 bucks if you're buying it at home.
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Not exactly a shocker. If I just wanted to get really drunk, really quick, and really cheap I wouldn't have bothered asking for advice on the subject. I could pick up a case of Hoffbauer for a dollar and be done with it if that were the case.
I also don't exactly expect to have to drink a great mass of anything in order to feel anything either, a few glasses of something will be more than enough at this time so I wouldn't mind spending a penny or two to get some good stuff.
Great suggestions in various different types of drinks which is just what I was hoping for! I appriciate all the suggestions, though my liver may not. Heres to amnesia!
I'm more of a sausage smoker myself. - Yoyoson
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There have been some great suggestions for my personal favorites: single malt scotch, tequila, etc. However, I'm surprised no one has mentioned sake. The usual rules apply--the cheap stuff isn't worth drinking, etc. You may also not be able to find good sake in a typical bar, but it's worth looking around for if you decide you like the taste. The alcohol level is also fairly reasonable so you aren't likely to ruin yourself if your tolerance isn't so high.
One potentially useful tip: as a general rule, I've noticed that hard liquor takes about 20 minutes to affect you after drinking it. So keep that in mind when ordering drinks and such.
I'm a bourbon drinker. Jack Daniels is not good. Drown it with a mixer. Jim Beam is passable. Maker's Mark is getting closer. Knob Creek is perfectly acceptable. Booker's is alright, but for my money you WILL NOT be able to beat Woodford Reserve. It is hands down the best bourbon I've ever drank.
I recommend it neat (no ice, no mixer), or with a little club soda. Do not mix this whiskey with pop, you'll be wasting your money.
Good bourbon should be drank at room temp, or just a little warmer. Take a small sip, and hold it on the back of your tongue. You're trying to taste the oak, smokiness, and maybe a little honey.
Bourbon, like scotch, is an acquired taste. I LOVE bourbon, but I can not for the life of me learn to drink scotch.
Keep in mind, Crown Royal, Canadian Mist, Windsor, and anything that says "blended" is NOT bourbon. I HATE blended whiskey, it tastes too much like rubbing alcohol. I think Crown Royal is the most over-rated liquor out there.
Remember, opinons about alcohol are like assholes, everyone has one, and most of them stink, so try a lot of different things, try not to make yourself sick, and find out what you like.
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If you're going with the good sipping stuff, definitely heed this advice. My first time out was with some Absolut. At first, it tastes crappy. Then it changes to "okay". Then you don't taste it anymore, and you start drinking it much faster than you should. Then you start vomiting. Then you wake up with your arm around a girl while wearing some of her extra clothes. I'm just sayin'.
Keep in mind that after the first few drinks, you won't really be tasting the stuff anymore. Try a few things out, and you'll find something you like.
I'm a bourbon guy myself, and Maker's Mark and Knob Creek are readily available at the bars. Jim Beam Black is also palatable.
For tequila, the Patron is good. I can also sip Don Julio and Cabo Wabo. A good rocks "Wabo-rita" made with lime juice instead of mix (i.e. correctly) = yummy.
Single malts depend on the drinker. Either you like them or you don't. Only one way to find out!
Have fun, and congratulations.
P.S. I was in the emergency room for stitches on my 21st. Don't let that happen to you. "Have you taken any medication recently?" "No, but I do have about six shots worth of 101 proof bourbon in me." "Why in the hell. . . ?" "It's my 21st birthday," I reply. "Oh! Okay then."
*Legion* recognizing greatness wrote:
If you're looking for whiskey, I strongly recommend Jameson's Irish Whiskey. Very smooth.
We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.
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