Rum: Bacardi (a light, versatile rum—your workhorse), Havana Club (Cuban-style rum with a richer, more complex flavor), or Flor de Caña (smooth and balanced, straight from Nicaragua).
Dark Rum: Mount Gay (Barbados rum with warm notes of spice and molasses), Myers’s (dark and intensely flavored Jamaican rum—for when you want something bold), or Gosling’s (rich and full-bodied, practically mandatory for a proper Dark ‘n’ Stormy).
Tequila: Jimador (a solid, budget-friendly blanco tequila), Olmeca Altos (a step up in quality, with bright citrus and herbal notes), or Espolón (smooth and balanced, equally happy in a margarita or sipped neat).
Bourbon: Larceny (a wheated bourbon with a smooth, sweet, almost buttery flavor), Elijah Craig (a rye-heavy bourbon with a spicy kick and notes of oak), or Maker’s Mark (another wheated bourbon, known for its signature smoothness).
Rye: Bulleit (high-rye bourbon with a distinctive spicy bite), Sazerac Rye (a classic rye whiskey with notes of pepper, citrus, and a hint of anise), or Old Forester Rye (bold and spicy rye with a long, satisfying finish).
Vodka: Smirnoff (a neutral and affordable vodka—a blank canvas), Ketel One (smooth and clean Dutch vodka—a bit more refined), or Tito’s (corn-based vodka with a slightly sweet taste—a crowd-pleaser).
Gin: New Amsterdam (a citrus-forward, approachable gin—great for beginners), Beefeater (a classic London Dry Gin with a strong juniper backbone), or Bombay London Dry (another classic London Dry, slightly drier than Beefeater—for those who like it extra dry).
RJ's Cocktails and Musings 