🥃 5 Bottle Bar Guide - Whiskey Edition - 3 Levels for Any Budget

If you've peeped our traditional "Five Bottle Bar" guide, you're well aware of the concept. The premise is alluringly minimalist; create a fully appointed bar with just five bottles, one from each of the main cocktail spirits: Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, Rum, and Tequila. For unaged spirits, there are great deals to be had in quality products at a low price, but how will that change with age? In this post, we'll instead focus on the world of whiskey which is rich and varied across (to name just a few categories):

• Bourbon - From the USA, 50+% corn mash though there are subcategories for Wheated, High-Rye, and Low-Rye
• Rye Whiskey- Also typically from the USA, 50+% percent rye mash
• Scotch - mainly single malts and blends from Scotland, varying significantly depending on region
• Other Nationals: Canadian, Indian, Irish, and Japanese Whiskies

Rules: Prices will be those available on Total Wine set to Georgia, USA and bottles will are priced at the standard 750ml volume. No two bottles can be from the same whiskey subcategory. While we tried to leave money for tax last time, whiskey aging means higher prices on average. The "alternatives" sections will have some lower priced items if you need to create headspace for the tax man. 

Budget 5 Bottle Whiskey Bar - $100 or Less

For the budget category, expect American varietals to have outsized representation. The USA produces a staggering amount of liquor due to its strong agricultural base and deep history with whiskey. This scale reflects in excellent price to quality ratios, particularly domestically though American booze is often relatively affordable abroad depending on the host country's tariff mix. With an average of only $20 to spend per bottle, this one is a challenge!

• Low Rye Bourbon - Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond ($19) - At 100 proof, Evan Williams White Label stands up well in a cocktail and delivers full on the whiskey lover's expectation of oaky vanilla, caramel, and spice. This is likely the best value bottle in bourbon and drinks on the sweeter side, very approachable.
• High Rye Bourbon - Four Roses Yellow Label ($20) - The entry level bourbon from Four Roses is a blend of recipes from mash bills E (20% rye) & B (35% rye). It doesn't have much of the traditional rye pepper profile, but at this price point it delivers some lovely dried fruit and umami flavors.
• Corn Whiskey - Mellow Corn ($20) - A historic brand with a look that has stood the tests of time, Mellow Corn is one of the few readily available corn whiskies and has taken on a cult following. It is simple with a robust nutty profile, mild mouth, and bonded proof. I'm a huge fan. 
• Flavored - Southern Comfort 100 Proof ($19) - Fruity and packing enough spice punch to hold up in a cocktail, this Louisiana Whiskey staple also sips well on the rocks. Most flavored whiskies are afraid to give you any proof, but SoCo stands tall. Put it in some sweet tea. 
• International - Tullamore D.E.W. ($22) - Light, fruity, and sweet this triple distilled blend of three whiskies hails from the Emerald Isle and makes a reasonable highball in addition to being easy sipping. DEW stands for Daniel E. Williams who originally created the whiskey. 

Total: $100 - No room for tax in this lineup! Much harder than the traditional five bottle bar on a budget.

Alternatives: You can save a few bucks by bumping Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond in favor of Jim Beam White Label ($17) or Evan Williams Black label ($15). You're giving up 20 proof points, but both brand flagships are time honored and solid whiskies. Similarly downgrading to the 80 proof version of Southern Comfort ($16) may give you the extra bucks to reach up to Old Grand Dad Bottled-in-Bond ($26) which is another fantastic high rye bourbon or Old Overholt Bottled-in-Bond ($24) which would give you a solid rye whiskey.

Enhanced 5 Bottle Whiskey Bar - $200 or Less

Stepping up to an average of $40 per bottle, this tier is where things start to be interesting. In particular, you start to have premium version of heritage distillers from the Americas and start to see the bottom end of good whiskey from Scotland and Japan. 

• Low Rye Bourbon - Russel's Reserve 10 Year ($38) - A frequently applauded genius bottle overlooked by taters seeking out Eagle Rare, Wild Turkey's Russel's Reserve 10 often contains spirits much older than that and is one of the smoothest whiskies on the market. Look for a "chewable" mouthfeel that converts on all the traditional bourbon notes without missing a beat.
• High Rye Bourbon - Old Grand Dad 114 ($30) - An old product that the market seems to be recognizing over the last few years, this up-proofed iteration of the peppery Old Grand Dad mash drinks great in cocktails or over a big 'ole ice cube. Proof aficionados will also enjoy this one neat.
• Wheated Bourbon - Maker's Mark Cask Strength ($40) - At the sweet spot of proof and flavor, Marker's Cask strength is one of the absolute best values in whiskey and goes toe-to-toe with bourbons twice its price without blinking. Honey sweetness, biscuit, and vanilla in spades.
• India - Paul John Nirvana ($41) - Indian whiskey is a bit of a niche subgenre though growing in popularity as its lead distilleries mature their offerings. Paul John Nirvana is an Indian single malt of surprising value, oozing with grassy hay and tropical fruit, also a fun looking bottle!
• Scotch - Laphroaig 10YR Single Malt ($49) - Bringing the smokey goodness, this flagship from the Islay region provides the classic peat and heather of the region. A great entry point that is well balanced and smooth while still being packed with flavor.

Total: $198 - Again without room for tax, we're squeaking by on the budget!

Alternatives: To add a finished bourbon and create some wallet head space, you can bump down to Marker's Mark 46 ($31) which has bucketloads of caramel flavor. Benchmark Full Proof ($25) is also a reasonable contender for the OGD or high proof slot, though it is from Buffalo Trace's low rye mash bill. Hop on the Four Roses Single Barrel train ($43) or embrace the creamy side of Scotch with Glenmorangie's 12-Year Single Malt($45)

Premium 5 Bottle Whiskey Bar - $300 or Less

At a $60 per bottle average, all but super premium and special releases are in scope. While it is true that you can spend as much money as you want, diminishing returns kick in hard from here on out. Let's check out everyday titans of the whiskey world. 

• Bourbon - Wild Turkey Rare Breed ($55) - At this point, we have around $80 left to spend which opens up the vast majority of the whiskey world. Choosing to leave a twenty on the table for tax, I'm staring at Wild Turkey's barrel proof response to Booker's. Widely regarded as one of the best values in whiskey, Rare Breed delivers on spice, flavor, and finish, sure to delight both the experienced palate and the whiskey layman. You may remember this one from our other five bottle bar post, it's just terrific.
• Irish - Green Spot ($65) - The longest running edition of the much awarded "Spot" family of bottles, Green is produced in limited quantities and does a fantastic job of showing off how pot stills impact a whiskey's flavor. Awarded many times. I get the perfect amount of pear and honey.
• Scotch - Highland Park 12-Year ($55) - A nuanced and sophisticated pour that used to have one of the coolest bottles, Highland Park 12 does a fantastic job of letting you taste the royal gardens in spring, blossoming with honey, heather, dried fruit, and orange with just a hint of smoke. 
• Finished Scotch - The Balvenie Doublewood  ($64) - One of the bottles that pioneered finished whiskey, this bottle from the Balvenie spends time in used whisky oak cooperage before undergoing a second aging in ex-sherry oak casks. Beautifully sweet and balanced. 
• Rye - Pikesville Rye Whiskey 110 ($57) - Shipping rye spice, cloves, and a surprising amount of cocoa straight to your tongue, Pikesville packs just the right amount of proof with a substantial mouthfeel and pleasantly warm finish. 

Total: $296 - A tight fit to be sure

Alternatives: There are a lot of options here! Go deeper into your preferred with finished whiskies like Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel ($56), Woodford Double Oaked ($50), or Glenfiddich Sherry Cask ($55). Satisfy your need for proof with Green River Full Proof ($54), Knob Creek Single Barrel 120 ($55), or or the increasingly consistent Larceny Full Proof ($60). Craft options like Still Austin Cask Strength ($55), Uncle Nearest 1856 ($57), or New Riff Single Barrel ($57) are also good shouts.

Castle & Cairn Picks - Five Bottle Whiskey Bar for the Staff

If forced to only drink five bottles for the rest of my life, I would initially be very sad to lose the variety, but I'd quickly forget because these bottles are just so good. I am a value connoisseur, so part of my enjoyment is the cost-quality ratio, which you'll see in a few of my picks.

• Mellow Corn ($20) - For the meme, the cost, and the corn nut satisfaction. I buy the big bottle when I can find it, though there are not many stores that stock it.
• Woodford Double Oaked ($50) - Lower proof but still packed with flavor, I keep this one around because it is so easy drinking. Great for guests that want something smooth. 
• Henry Mckenna Bottled-in-Bond ($65) - While they do vary pretty widely from barrel to barrel, when Mckenna is on target, it's one of the best whiskies in the world. 
• ASW Fiddler Toasted Bourbon ($75) - I also love their toasted rye but this toasted wheatear is cask strength goodness and helps me represent my local craft distillery on the shelf.
• Old Grand Dad 114 ($30) - For the price, it's impossible to beat this high rye bourbon. I don't feel bad about putting it on ice when the mood fits either. 

Total: $240 - Maybe we're a little fancy? Not too bad.

Honorable Mentions: James E. Pepper Barrel Proof, Maker's Mark Cask Strength, Benchmark Full Proof, and Rittenhouse Rye

Outro

Whatever you choose to stock your bar with, we hope you enjoyed this guide to Whiskey iterations of the five bottle bar brain teaser!