Current Events > What's actually the difference between 'top shelf' and 'bottom shelf'?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Bottom shelf whiskey: $8
Top shelf whiskey: $100 or far more

Can someone who doesn't drink much even tell? Is it a subtle or huge difference?

ProfessorKukui posted...

usually there's another shelf in between

why would you do this to me

The most noticable thing is smoothness and depth of flavor. A $100 shot of whiskey will have little to no burn. A $5 is gonna choke you up and be tough to even sip on and is better suited for mixed drinks.

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Especially when the 2020 whiskey of the year was 80 to 90 a bottle (Alberta premium cask strength) and its still widely considered one of the best whiskeys you can get.

Its usually the smoothness and better taste the more you pay for. Sometimes less or better hang over too.

You get what you pay for.

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So true.

Also only sorta related to the topic but a dude came in and bought 4 60s of Johnny walker black label and some red solo cups the other day. Like 450-500 dollars of pretty high end whiskey just for beer pong.

Also the dude asked if we had red solo cups and I said no and then he found some somehow and bought them. I am still certain we don't sell them. I don't even know how the rang up. Lol.

Even with Vodka.

You'll know the difference when taking a shot of Aristocrat from a shot of Belvedere.

No real difference, $8 is better in some cases

Around 5 feet I guess.

Do not pay for top shelf or premium liquor in a mixed drink

for reference, I've tried
Svedka vodka
Captain Morgan's white and spiced rums
New Amsterdam gin
Maker's Mark regular whiskey

The least burning of these was probably the gin (though the gin itself doesn't taste that good), while even a drip of the svedka on my tongue makes my eyes water. I don't think any of these are considered nearly top shelf though.

I dunno about that, just stay away from the lowest shelf under the sink, that's shits so powerful it always makes me see god and have a dream about waking up in a hospital, escaping, and passing out on the kitchen floor exactly where I passed out in REAL LIFE. it was spooky lol

16-BITTER posted...

The real con is the difference between $100 whiskey and $1000 whiskey

Truth.

Cheap vodka is disgusting, I dont even like mixing it with stuff. Grey Goose or Ketel One or Titos I would drink just with tonic and a lemon or even on the rocks if I was trying to get hammered super quick

5 dollar whisky is like drinking paint thinner. 100 dollar whisky is meant to be sipped and goes down much smoother, with hints of whatever it was aged in.

If we are comparing it to something else.... I'll use steak. You can buy a cheap steak, but you really have to work at it to make it taste decent and go down easy. Meanwhile, if you get a prime cut of meat, then you really only have to season it before cooking.

Might I suggest trying Whisky Sour? For someone like myself who doesn't really enjoy Whiskey all that much (mostly because I'm cheap), its usually my go to drink if I'm at a family gathering at a restaurant or bar. A slight sour taste, but really pleasant to drink and it looks somewhat sophisticated.

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Yea like I didn't know much difference in Sherry Oak Macallan 12 at $90 from Sherry Oak Macallan 15 at $150.

The difference was slim.

Doe posted...

Bottom shelf whiskey: $8
Top shelf whiskey: $100 or far more

Can someone who doesn't drink much even tell? Is it a subtle or huge difference?

The difference the $100 one gets you drunk 3 times and $100 worth of the $8 one gets you drunk over 30 times.

CaptainStrong posted...

The difference the $100 one gets you drunk 3 times and $100 worth of the $8 one gets you drunk over 30 times.

Hell they sale cases with 24 bottles of Wild I for about $70.

That's about $3 a bottle.

CaptainStrong posted...

The difference the $100 one gets you drunk 3 times and $100 worth of the $8 one gets you drunk over 30 times.

Because all we care about is getting drunk?

bsp77 posted...

Because all we care about is getting drunk?

That's the only reason I drink alcohol.

Kafkaf posted...

No real difference, $8 is better in some cases

Blatant bullshit lmao. You really need to hit at least $20 for a decent drink. Anyone who says you can't tell the difference between bottom of the barrel swill and even a $20-40 bottle is lying or has no sense of taste.

the manufacturers of the product on the top shelf paid the retailer a fee in order to be granted premium shelf space

IndorilGawain posted...

Blatant bullshit lmao. You really need to hit at least $20 for a decent drink. Anyone who says you can't tell the difference between bottom of the barrel swill and even a $20-40 bottle is lying or has no sense of taste.

Really. I am guessing that guy has no taste.

AltyMcAltface posted...

the manufacturers of the product on the top shelf paid the retailer a fee in order to be granted premium shelf space

And someone else who nothing about alcohol. Some of you just shouldn't post on things you are ignorant about. I am ignorant about plenty of topics and I keep my mouth shut about those.

fwiw tc i can recommend some good midrange spirits that aren't expensive but are also a good starting point if you'd like

bsp77 posted...

And someone else who nothing about alcohol. Some of you just shouldn't post on things you are ignorant about. I am ignorant about plenty of topics and I keep my mouth shut about those.

this is an industry wide practice at pretty much all major market chains with all kinds of products, it's not specifically about alcohol

IndorilGawain posted...

fwiw tc i can recommend some good midrange spirits that aren't expensive but are also a good starting point if you'd like

Sure I'd like that.

AltyMcAltface posted...

this is an industry wide practice at pretty much all major market chains with all kinds of products, it's not specifically about alcohol

But that is not the difference between bottom shelf and top shelf. I could see payment potentially made to get the literal top shelf vs second from top, but that's it. The ones at the bottom are swill.

Or just go to a place that just does it alphabetically with no tiers other than maybe a locked case for super pricey stuff.

Doe posted...

Sure I'd like that.

Prices may vary somewhat but these are some quality base spirit go-tos that won't break the bank (all 750ml):

Rye: Rittenhouse, ~$20-25 https://www.theliquorbarn.com/rittenhouse-rye-750ml/
Bourbon: Old Granddad ~$25 https://www.theliquorbarn.com/old-grand-dad-100-proof-750ml/
Vodka: Sobieski ~$10-15 https://www.theliquorbarn.com/sobieski-vodka-750ml/
Brandy/Cognac: Maison Rouge ~$20-25 https://www.theliquorbarn.com/maison-rouge-vsop-750ml/
Dark Rum: Plantation 5 ~$20-25 https://www.theliquorbarn.com/plantation-grande-reserve-750/
Light Rum: Plantation 3 ~$20 https://www.theliquorbarn.com/plantation-rum-3-star-1l/
Scotch: Glenlivet ~$30 https://www.theliquorbarn.com/glenlivet-founders-reserve-750ml/
Gin: Tanqueray ~$20 https://www.theliquorbarn.com/tanqueray-gin-750ml/

Sweet/Rosso Vermouth: https://www.theliquorbarn.com/dolin-rouge-vermouth/
Dry Vermouth: https://www.theliquorbarn.com/noilly-prat-dry-vermouth-750ML/
(Honestly if you're mixing, Martini brand is fine, but especially if you want to sip it or have a slightly better quality drink, you need at least these for sure)

IndorilGawain posted...

Prices may vary somewhat but these are some quality base spirit go-tos that won't break the bank (all 750ml

I just bought some old grandad. In relation to the topic, it and the Ritthenhouse rye were on the second shelf from the bottom. I'll report on it when I'm home.

MabusIncarnate posted...

The most noticable thing is smoothness and depth of flavor. A $100 shot of whiskey will have little to no burn. A $5 is gonna choke you up and be tough to even sip on and is better suited for mixed drinks.

Doesn't that have more to do with the alcohol content?

Wtf

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/0/0/AAcZIZAAC7xM.jpg

https://drunkard.com/06_06_fdr_portrait/

On a bright afternoon, the gubernatorial candidate pours himself and his campaign manager, Louis Howe, each a belt of brown inside his Manhattan den. Howe asks Roosevelt, at the time working as Assistant Secretary to the U.S. Navy, why hes so set on running on the Democratic ticket. Roosevelt replies, The Democratic Party is the party of the people. Im a man of the people.

Youre a Roosevelt, Howe contemptuously returns. What do you know about people?

The privileged young man keeps his trap shut and lifts his beveled rocks glass to his lips. He gives no answer, only a smile, as he takes his first sip.

Kino

So, this Old Grandad stuff is way different than anything I've had before, despite being the highest proof I've ever had at 100. It's warm and almost spicy in a way, but my eyes don't water at all. A little numbing of the tongue.

Not really sure how to comment on the flavor, I guess it tastes like bourbon.

The difference is however many shelves are between them + 1

Doe posted...

It's warm and almost spicy in a way, but my eyes don't water at all.

You definitely taste/feel different notes as you get more expensive, and even when they're higher proof they're usually less overwhelmingly alcoholy/don't taste and feel like rubbing alcohol. If you like the spiciness, ryes are typically spicier than bourbon.

The top shelf stuff pays more for critics to give them good reviews