Top-shelf Liquors That Belong on Every Bar Cart, According to the Experts

Curating the ideal bar cart is no small undertaking, and selecting just a few great bottles to represent each spirit category can require a fair amount of research and thought. But really, your at-home process is not unlike the one used by the world's best pro bartenders, which is why we went straight to the source for answers on how to create the perfect bar.

"My approach to selecting spirits for a bar cart would be no different than how I select spirits for my bars or for my cocktails," award-winning bar expert, author, and entrepreneur Jeffrey Morgenthaler, a household name in the drinks world, shared with Travel + Leisure. When it comes to the top shelf, he said, a bottle's price tag doesn't carry as much weight as one might think, and most of the bartending elite would agree.

"For me, 'top shelf' means Best Quality Liquor— not most expensive," added longtime bartender and educator Lynn House. "You don't need to have every single 'popular' label to create a fabulous bar cart. What you have on your cart should be what you want to enjoy at the end of the night, not what is in the highest demand," she shared. For both House and Morgenthaler, this — in addition to informed buying — is what truly defines a great bar cart.

If you're starting yours from scratch, you'll want to lay a solid foundation, covering all of the essential spirit categories and modifiers, bearing our experts' advice in mind. For House, the top-shelf liquor basics include good bourbon, rye, tequila, gin, vodka, Scotch whisky, an amaro, and bitters (both potable and aromatic), along with small bottles of sweet and dry vermouth, which she recommended keeping in the refrigerator. Lastly, House said, don't be afraid to think outside the box in the process, and again, be sure to invest in what you actually like.

"I have personally discovered so many fun and unique brands that I can show off when people come to my home, simply through tasting and experimentation," she said. Being able to talk about your bar cart on this level, she added, is what really makes it personal. Here, House and Morgenthaler — along with fellow bar legend Meaghan Dorman of New York City's Raines Law Room and Dear Irving bars — team up to help us select our top bottle picks for curating the ultimate premium bar cart.

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon

"I've been saying for years that there's no better bourbon for an old fashioned than Elijah Craig, and among the Elijah Craig line, there's really no better option than the Toasted Barrel. It takes your old fashioned to the next level and is, of course, simply incredible on its own or over a large ice cube," advised Morgenthaler. If you're a whiskey drinker, consider picking up more than one bottle of this twice-barreled expression, as you'll likely go through it more quickly than you might expect (plus, its deep, rich color looks absolutely stunning in a decanter if you've got one).

Fords Gin Officer's Reserve No 1

Morgenthaler's first pick when it comes to building a savvy top-shelf liquor(visit) collection? Ford's Officers' Reserve Navy Strength Gin, an overproof gin, rested in amontillado sherry casks before being bottled at 54.5% alcohol. "It's got the classic London Dry flavor profile that's perfect for a Martini, with a higher proof that comes in handy after a long day at work." After all, he added, it wouldn't be much of a bar cart without the means to make a proper gin martini.

COURTESY OF WINE CHATEAU

Speaking of martinis, you're going to need to have some quality dry vermouth on hand, even if you're not the biggest fan. Dorman elaborated: "When I advise people on building a bar cart, I emphasize choosing products that have several uses, which is both beneficial for smooth hosting and home bar real estate. For example, a dry vermouth would primarily be used for a martini, but also in a spritz-style drink or highball — it's important to pay as much attention to the supporting mixers that have to shine alongside bold spirits in cocktails, and Cinzano 1757 Extra Dry is one I can recommend." According to Dorman, this Italian vermouth offers the citrusy, earthy notes needed for a great martini, along with the acidity and floral notes that allow it to play well in more refreshing drinks.

TOTAL WINE

Never underestimate the power of a good vodka — while it might not be the most dynamic spirit category, it certainly has a time and a place. For example, if you like your martini on the wet (check it out) side but you don't want its delicate aromas and flavor notes to compete with your gin's botanicals, a vodka martini is a great solution. Plus, you never know when you or one of your guests might be in the mood for a vodka soda or cosmopolitan. Made from 100% Japanese white rice and filtered through bamboo charcoal, Haku's soft, rounded floral notes and deep complexity will make you look at the category in a completely different light.

High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey

This award-winning rye whiskey by High West Distillery in Park City, Utah, is full of candied fruit, honey, baking spice, molasses, and subtle herbaceous notes and is excellent both sipped on its own and mixed into classic rye cocktails like the old pal and sazerac. If you're going to stock just one rye on your cart, starting here is a pro move, as High West is beloved by bartenders and whiskey nerds across the world.

Glenfiddich 26 Year Grande Couronne Scotch Whisky

Rare Scotch lovers, Glenfiddich's Grande Couronne, which is aged in both European and American oak before being finished in ex-Cognac casks, is for you. This whisky features notes of baking spices, deep brown sugar, fennel, vanilla, coffee, and toasted oak on the palate leading into a long, dynamic finish. This is an incredibly special bottling with a stunning gilded presentation — a great conversation starter — and to sip it is almost ethereal.

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