New Bar

[Paulbrad25]

Here's one for you guys,
I hope to open a new bar in about 6 months and would like your advice on stocking policy. I have room for 6 American Whisk(e)ys, these must be commercially viable, diverse in style and good in quality (bit of a desert island whisky question i guess.) and not too hard to get hold of because importing stuff to the U.K. especially is expensive.
At the moment I'm listing;

Buffalo Trace, (House Pour)
Makers Mark, (as a benchmark back bar bourbon)
Woodford Reserve, (smoother and sweeter)
Jack Daniels Single Barrel, (Because there's always a JD drinker)
Wild Turkey Rye (for classic sazerac's, manhattan's and old fashioned's)
& provisionally the 101 as well ( something with a bit of kick)
though I'm tempted by Bakers & Bookers as well.

Before anyone says it, I find Stagg impossible to find commercially here

Paul.

P.s. I could probably be talked into more than 6

[Paulbrad25]

After searching these forums for 'desert island whisky' i guess i'm gonna have to try to lay my hands on an Elmer T Lee and a Pappy Van Winkle 23 to round out the set, dunno if i'll be able to afford to do it on my opening stock though.

[BourbonJoe]

I like your picks. If I lived there, I'd frequent the place.
Joe

[SBOmarc]

I like your picks. If I lived there, I'd frequent the place.
Joe

Not too shabby. I would ask that you try to include more WT products. Both Rare Breed and Kentucky Sprit come to mind. EWSB would fit in well also.

[Ambernecter]

Hey Paul!

I would go for a Blantons or a RHF as well - the different shaped bottle is a real eyecatcher. You might have to jack up the price to cover the cost, but folks would (especially with the Blantons) be convinced they were getting a gourmet drop.

You are on the right track with all your other choices but I would say for the same price as WT Rye you can get VWFRR13 - much better.

Also maybe room for a bottle of VW lot B? You know you want to!

[BourbonJoe]

but I would say for the same price as WT Rye you can get VWFRR13 - much better.

Not in my opinion.
Joe

[barturtle]

Problem here (other than price) is the availability, there is so little VWFRR that I doubt there is anymore exporting being done.

But there seems to be a Rittenhouse 10yo rye that goes overseas. That has been lovingly commented on by at least one member(and on my shopping list for this summer)

[Paulbrad25]

Cheers guys,
The WT products are becoming more available over here so the Rare Breed might end up on my back bar but not to begin with.
Sorry but every time I see Blantons in the U.K. it's sat looking miserable next to the benedictine and the dusty 30 yr old ports, I know its nice but it has a habit of not selling.
The Pikesville Rye I was chatting to Boone about and while the 4yr is gettable here, I've not seen the 10.yr yet. maybe i'm gonna have to broaden my net.

The WT Rye took me ages to get as i had to arrange to have it imported to one of my suppliers and as its quite a familiar brand over here it sells itself in addition to having a strong showing on the cocktail menu. Buying it by the dozen bottles wasn't cheap but I instilled a bit of jealousy in a few of my friends in other bars and now they're ordering it too. sorted.
Most of my initial budget is going on a bottle of JW blue, a couple of luxury vodkas, a bottle of Hennessy Paradis some Patron tequilas and that bottle of PVW23 and as its only a little bar, i'll wait a month or two before expanding.
I'll post some pictures when we get closer and of course you're all more than welcome if you're ever in town; first drinks on me.

[Ambernecter]

of course you're all more than welcome if you're ever in town; first drinks on me.

Woah there are the magic words!

Seriously gimme a shout when you are up and running Paul.

Oxford is a nice part of the World and I have a couple of buddies down there.

A well stocked bar with plenty of Bourbon on hand sounds like a winner to me! Plus it'd be good to meet someone from the forum.

[Paulbrad25]

of course you're all more than welcome if you're ever in town; first drinks on me.

Woah there are the magic words!

Seriously gimme a shout when you are up and running Paul.

Oxford is a nice part of the World and I have a couple of buddies down there

I'll post an invitation when its a go with some pictures, I left my nice secure well paid job today in order to strike out on my own. .

Where are you at the moment, Ambernectar I'm up in Birmingham tonight and London for a food and drink show tomorrow.