A Jigger of Blog

As I mentioned yesterday, I took time to travel out to Ace Beverage. I’d previously asked some of the DC cocktailnoscenti about which liquor stores had the best selections, particularly for bourbon and ryes. Everyone I talked to — Derek Brown of the Museum of the American Cocktail, SeanMike and Marshall of Scofflaw’s Den — said Ace was the place. I made the trip out there in the rain and actually ran into Marshall in the store. Between Marshall and Ace’s super-knowledgable owner Joe Riley, I did pretty well for myself.

I’ve lived in DC before and generally found that liquor stores here have tiny selections and are overpriced. Staff usually don’t know anything about all but the most widely sold products and while that didn’t me bother me too much a while ago, that’s not the case any more. I think Ace is going to be my go-to store from here on out. Not only was Joe very helpful and the selection somewhat overwhelming, it was incredibly reasonably priced.

While I had some specific items on my shopping list, I ended up getting more than I’d planned. I’m not complaining, as I made a huge step forward in the quality and selection available to me in my home bar. So, without further ado, here’s what I got:

• Sazerac Rye
• Willett Straight Kentucky Bourbon
• Courvoisier VSOP
• Buffalo Trace Bourbon
• Scarlett Ibis Rum
• Laird’s bonded apple brandy
• Rittenhouse Rye (80 proof)
• Petite Canne Sugar Cane Syrup
• Fee’s Brothers Orange Bitters
• Angostura Bitters

Good times.