Intro:
Howdy all you bourbon enthusiasts. It’s time to build that home bar for you to enjoy all your favorite bourbons. Building your home bar isn’t just about savoring the bourbon but is also a wonderful way to expand your hobby and your collection of bourbons while entertaining friends and family. In this guide, you will walk through the essentials to starting your journey to creating the ultimate bourbon oasis in your home.
Define Your Space:
The first thing in creating a home bourbon bar is finding the perfect place for it. This can be a dedicated room, a corner of your living room, a cabinet with your bottles and glassware, or a man cave. The key is to have a place that is easily accessible and well-lit so you can enjoy our bourbon experience. If you are doing a man cave, add some accents of bourbon-related artwork and or vintage barware to impress friends and family or just to enjoy your spirits your way.
Choose Your Bourbon Selection:
Since you are already thinking about or have started your home bar, you already have a few bottles of bourbon in your collection. If you don’t have the bottles already, go grab two or three of your favorites to get your collection started. These bottles you enjoy and are a great way to introduce others to the bourbon world. Now, don’t be afraid to go out and try a different style than you are used to or comfortable with. Go get one of those rare bottles that you will crack open for that special occasion.
Essential Bourbon Tools and Glassware:
You have your bourbon now; you will need the essentials of the bar. These are the tools of the trade per se. You don’t have to spend a fortune on the tools, but ensure you get nice quality as you will use them for some time.
Some essentials include:
– Tasting Glasses: Glencairn glasses or tulip-shaped glasses are great choices to start. Most distilleries will sell these in their shops, or if all else fails, start with some old-fashioned glasses.
– Jigger: For precise measurements when making cocktails.
– Cocktail Shaker: There are multiple kinds of cocktail shakers. Boston shakers are two-piece shakers, and then you have a hybrid shaker that is one piece with a cover over the top. This one is the easiest and comes with a strainer where the cover goes on.
– Ice Molds: To start, these are not required but you will want to move to them. They add a nice touch to any cocktail you make for friends and family. Large ice cubes or spheres to avoid quick dilution.
– Bar Spoon and Strainer: For stirring and straining cocktails.
Bourbon Accessories:
Once you have the tools and bourbon selected, the following are nice to have.
– Bourbon Stones or Ice Ball Makers: These are really for people who want a chilled bourbon neat. A chilled bourbon needs an ice cube as the flavors can be more pronounced with that touch of water.
– Bourbon Books: Books are a great way to learn where a cocktail originated and how it was changed. Or how bourbon became so popular in the US. Also, some nice artwork can be lying on the bar or tabletop.
– Bourbon Barrel Decor: Get a bourbon barrel head from your favorite distillery or a small barrel itself to add to your bar area.
Organize Your Collection:
Keep your bourbons organized and accessible. A simple shelving unit or cabinet with adjustable shelves can accommodate your growing collection. Arrange your bottles by style, brand, or age for easy selection.
Learn the Art of Tasting:
Take your bourbon appreciation to the next level by learning how to taste it properly. Understand the importance of nosing, sipping, and savoring the flavors. Experiment with tasting notes and record your impressions to refine your palate over time. A popular way to taste bourbon is to try it neat and then add a drop or two of water. When you do this, you will see the difference between the two as flavors become more pronounced with the water.
Experiment with Bourbon Cocktails:
This is where things start to get fun. Mixology of cocktails and drinks. Start with classics like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Whiskey Sour. Once you master these, you can really impress your family and friends and come up with your own concoctions. Remember, practice makes perfect, but don’t use the good bourbon to start. Get the base drink down and then add the different bourbons to see the effects on the cocktail.
Share the Experience:
Invite friends and fellow bourbon enthusiasts over to share your passion. Host bourbon-tasting nights, compare different bottles, and exchange tasting notes. It’s a fantastic way to build a sense of community around your home bar.
Conclusion:
Building your home bourbon bar, be it a full-blown bar or a cabinet that holds your tools and bourbons, will be a great place to invite your friends and family to show off your new abilities and share your bourbons. Remember, the bottles you gather are not to sit and look pretty. They are meant to be drunk, so get out there and enjoy your bottles. Cheers!
