Igor Normann/Shutterstock Add Tasting Table on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover Having a bourbon bar is more than just having a nice row of bottles lined up on a shelf. The whiskey may be the star of the show, but a few potential additions to your home bar can elevate the whole experience. These can range from better ways to serve and store your spirits to more effective ways to enjoy the spirits themselves. This list isn't about turning your home into a professional cocktail bar. Instead, it's about making it both more fun and functional for both you and any potential guests.
I've spent many years tasting and exploring bourbon. That has meant having my own home bar and seeing plenty of setups from others. Added to this experience are countless whiskey tasting sessions where I've seen the benefits of a professional setup. What has been clear in my experience is that the best home bars aren't always the most expensive or elaborate. All of these tools and tricks here will help you to get more out of every pour. Importantly, they all serve a genuine purpose rather than being a gimmick or something you don't actually need. With all 12 of these in place, you'll have a home bar to be proud of, suited to any occasion.
5PH/Shutterstock There are a few glasses you need in your home bar if you want to truly appreciate your bourbon. This is especially true when you're drinking it neat. The best place to start is with a Glencairn glass, named after the company that created it. The glass you need doesn't have to be in this exact style, but its tulip-shaped design has some important features. It helps to concentrate the aromas in the glass, making it easier to pick out the subtle notes of a whiskey. I also find the glass's small circumference lets you take small sips and savor the whiskey.
While ideal for first impressions, you most likely won't want to use this glass all the time. For everyday sipping, I prefer a tumbler or rocks glass. Other names include an Old Fashioned or lowball glass. This is easy to drink from and also suitable for basic cocktails and large ice cubes. If you plan on drinking cocktails, you'll want glassware for that as well. A highball glass gives you plenty of room for bourbon and a longer mixer, making it ideal for more casual drinks. It isn't an ideal glass for nosing or enjoying whiskey neat, but that's not the point. These three types of glasses will cover most occasions when enjoying bourbon.
Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock If you don't know why large ice cubes are better for bourbon, it all comes down to surface area. Small ice cubes have a lot of exposed surface area and therefore have more potential to melt more quickly when placed in a drink. The more it melts, the more diluted your whiskey will become. As you'll soon read, whiskey and water aren't always a bad combination, but it's something that you want to control. That's where large ice cubes come in. Because of the smaller surface area of one large cube compared to several smaller ones, it will melt more slowly. By the time you've finished your bourbon, there is likely to have been minimal dilution.
A single large cube in a rocks glass can lower the temperature, soften some of the alcohol's heat, and gradually open up the flavors as it melts. This can be especially enjoyable with higher-proof bourbons, where a little dilution may make the whiskey more approachable. You can always buy large ice cubes, but not all stores sell them. Instead, I find a silicone tray to be the best option, as it's easy to use and won't crack or damage the ice. It may be more work, but I'd recommend using filtered or bottled water for these ice cubes to prevent an unwanted flavor from being introduced as they melt.
If you want to chill your drink without any dilution, whiskey stones are ideal. I say whiskey stones because they popularized the market, but there are a few other options available now, such as stainless-steel cubes. They can be kept in your freezer and added directly to your drink when you're ready to pour. You won't have to worry about any dilution in your whiskey, so if you want to truly appreciate the flavor of chilled natural bourbon, you can. Ice will change the character of bourbon over time, so it's a useful alternative.
But for full disclosure, I'm not a huge fan. You need to keep cycling them back into the freezer, and I found they don't chill a drink as effectively as ice does. Poorly made stones can also scratch your glassware. Despite this, I still have them, as they are a useful option, especially for guests who want that chill without dilution. It all comes down to personal preference, and most whiskey stones are relatively inexpensive. If you do love the idea of whiskey stones or steel cubes, I'd recommend getting a large set or a few packs so you don't feel like you're constantly refreezing them.
