What does drinking bottom shelf mean?

Well Liquor
These are usually served in a shot glass and are not of high quality—in fact, they are often made with the cheapest available liquor. That's why they're usually called “bottom shelf”, but they're also known as “house” and “rail”.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on luxuryactivist.com


What's the difference between top shelf and bottom shelf liquor?

The theory behind the top shelf/bottom shelf divide is simple: In a bar, more expensive spirits sit on the harder-to-reach higher shelves since they're ordered less frequently, while workhorse bottles at a lower price point are kept within easy reach.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on winemag.com


What does top shelf alcohol mean?

(adj.) The highest quality — and therefore most expensive — bottles of alcohol available. Most bars will keep these bottles on the literal top shelf, versus the cheaper “well liquor” that is kept within reach.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thrillist.com


What are some bottom shelf liquors?

Keep an eye out for any of these safe bets that taste a lot better than their price tag would lead you to believe.
  • Whiskey. Benchmark Bourbon. $8 for 750ml. ...
  • Vodka. Wodka. $12 for 1L. ...
  • Gin. Gordon's. $11 for 750ml. ...
  • Rum. Cruzan Aged Light Rum. $13 for 750ml.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bespokepost.com


What makes top shelf liquor better?

Top shelf liquor often contains natural, higher quality ingredients and undergoes particular distilling and aging processes. Beside the ingredients, much of what defines the flavor of top shelf liquor comes from the care put into the distillation process, and the amount of congeners removed.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on redheadoakbarrels.com


We Made a Vodka Expert Blind Taste Test Bottom-Shelf Vodka



Is Titos bottom shelf?

They are reliable and appear on nearly every liquor store shelf and back bar across the globe. Names like Absolut, Ketel One, Van Gogh, and Tito's are among the most popular top-shelf vodkas on the market.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thespruceeats.com


Is Smirnoff bottom shelf?

In London, Smirnoff, which is owned by United Distillers and Vintners, a unit of Diageo, is considered top shelf, while in the United States it leans more toward bottom drawer.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nytimes.com


Is Crown Royal bottom shelf?

Is Crown Royal top shelf? Crown Royal is a top shelf whisky; their finer varieties are as fine as any other whiskys in the world.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on luxe.digital


Is Bacardi bottom shelf?

Home > Rum > Is Bacardi Rum Top Shelf? Premium rum can be found on the top shelf of any liquor store. So if the proof is more than 45%, it is an overproof rum. This category includes spirits such as Bacardi 151, which are commonly used in mixed drinks.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blacktailnyc.com


What is bottom shelf vodka?

Bottom-shelf vodka can be on the more intense side and often comes with a strong alcohol burn going down. Due to the lower price and quality, you're paying for the fact that it can get you tipsy and not any specific flavor qualities that come naturally to higher quality vodkas.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.equalityvodka.com


Is Captain Morgan a top shelf?

Are Sailor Jerry and Captain Morgan top-shelf rums? Yes, Sailor Jerry and Captain Morgan are top-shelf rums. The two rum brands have excellent taste. They are well-known for their distinctive flavors and are a go-to option for bartenders when making a cocktail drink.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on liquorlaboratory.com


Is Jameson top shelf?

Many liquor retailers consider this venerable Irish whiskey to be “bottom shelf.” That's really cool. It is placed below Jameson, Tullamore, and Bushmills, and therefore, I think it has a poor reputation among whiskey drinkers.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blacktailnyc.com


Does top shelf liquor give you less of a hangover?

The amount of congeners present in alcohol can vary. As a general rule, the more distilled a spirit is, the lower the congeners. This is why some people may find that “top shelf” liquors that are highly distilled don't give them a hangover as much as a lower-priced alternative.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Is Seagram's bottom shelf?

Seagram's Extra Dry Gin

Beyond tasting decent as a mixer, it can make the claim of being one the more true-to-style of all the bottom shelf gins professing themselves as being in the “London dry gin” style.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pastemagazine.com


Is GREY goose top shelf?

What is top-shelf vodka? The best top-shelf vodka in the world is Grey Goose. Grey Goose is one of the original ultra-premium vodkas on the market and offers a delightfully crisp taste with a smooth finish.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on luxe.digital


What the most expensive liquor?

The 10 Most Expensive Liquor in the World Ever Sold
  • Billionaire Vodka – $3.7 Million.
  • Tequila Ley . ...
  • The Macallan Fine & Rare– $2 Million. ...
  • Goût de Diamants – $2.07 Million. ...
  • The Macallan Michael Dillon – $1.53 Million. ...
  • Russo-Baltique Vodka – $1.35 Million. ...
  • Mendis Coconut Brandy VS – $1 Million. ...
  • Diva Vodka – $1 Million. ...
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lemonsforlulu.com


Is Malibu top shelf?

Fun fact: Malibu is the world's best-selling Caribbean rum. With aromas of fruits and citrus, this tequila is a favorite among Influensters. Over 7,492 reviews and 4.6-star ranking has landed this top shelf liquor at #2 in liquors on Influenster.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on influenster.com


What are the levels of liquor?

Alcohol Percentage in Drinks
  • Vodka | ABV: 40-95%
  • Gin | ABV: 36-50%
  • Rum | ABV: 36-50%
  • Whiskey | ABV: 36-50%
  • Tequila | ABV: 50-51%
  • Liqueurs | ABV: 15%
  • Fortified Wine | ABV: 16-24%
  • Unfortified Wine | ABV: 14-16%
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sunrisehouse.com


What is considered a middle shelf liquor?

But for mixed drinks, the middle shelf works just fine. This includes brands like Absolut, Jose Cuervo, Bacardi, and Seagram's.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on primermagazine.com


What is the smoothest whiskey?

What are the Smoothest Whiskeys?
  • Scotch Whisky. Laphroaig 10 Year Old is considered by many to be “Best Single Malt Whisky in the World.” It has a smokey-smooth taste, without being too overpowering. ...
  • American Bourbon Whiskey. American Bourbon is not as simple as you might think. ...
  • Canadian Whisky. ...
  • Irish Whiskey.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on jacquesscottonline.com


Why is bottom shelf called well?

The term “well” refers to bar-rail drinks, referring to the rail along where the bartender mixes drinks. These are usually served in a shot glass and are not of high quality—in fact, they are often made with the cheapest available liquor.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on luxuryactivist.com


Is makers mark a top shelf?

I enjoy Maker's Mark, giving the regular version a “Mid Shelf” rating and this batch of cask strength a “Top Shelf” rating. I consider Maker's Mark cask strength to be one of best widely available wheated bourbons on the market. Pappy and Weller bourbons are just too difficult to find and drink regularly.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thewhiskeyshelf.com


Why is Tito's so popular?

Quality and consistency are the keys to Tito's success, with projected sales for 2021 representing nearly two million bottles a week. That's a lot of Moscow Mules and vodka Martinis. It sure sounds like somebody's having a good time out there.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vinepair.com


Which liquors are top shelf?

For House, the top-shelf liquor basics include a 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on travelandleisure.com


Is ciroc a top shelf liquor?

Cîroc Vodka: Grape Vodka From France

The only grape-based vodka in the lot, Cîroc is a very fine top-shelf option. As you might expect, it originates in France, home of world-renowned wines and brandy. The vodka is distilled five times from mauzac blanc and ugni blanc grapes.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thespruceeats.com