Well Brands
 

As a rule, if I order a drink, I specify the liquor. For example, a manhattan must be made with Woodford reserve or Basil Haydens. There are exceptions. I wouldn't say make that pina colada with some exotic brand of aged rum. After all, I would be unable to taste the difference. Do you always call for a specific liquor or will you bend the rule for a certain type of drink and accept the well brand?

I ask because my local liquor store offered to "members" a free 750 ml bottle with a $50 purchase. I had never heard of any of the 3 brands and took a bottle of Grey's Peak gin. Reviews indicate that it may need to be mixed with something strong. My daughter said we'll make martinis when I offered to bring it for Christmas. I'm thinking along the lines of gin and juice instead.

Well brands for heavily mixed drinks when you are being cheap. Well brands for margaritas, daquiris, etc.

I prefer call brands for vodka martinis, unless the bar specifies that is uses something acceptable.

Sipping drinks are always call brands.

I am not sure I would enjoy martinis with well brand gin. Well, after the first one, I probably wouldnt notice on the second one.

+1

Also, location specific though, if I happen to be stuck on the Strip and want a drink like a whiskey & coke, I say "whiskey & coke" vs. Jack N Coke as some places charge more since I'm requesting a specific brand despite the well actually just being Jack. :rolleyes:

When ordering from a cocktail menu, I don't request subs unless bartender says it actually makes a difference if I don't like what's in a drink.

What were the other two brands? Sounds like a good deal either way !

If the well brands are the bottom-of-the-barrel ones like Gilbey's or Moctezuma Tequila, I will order call for any drink. I feel like the bottom tier brands are just recipes for a headache.

1941 Vodka & Zachariah Harris bourbon. I asked for the bourbon but they were out of it. Plan B was the gin since I occasionally drink gin. I think the vodka was probably the best product of the three but I never drink vodka and no one who comes over to the house does either.

If I'm having a mixed drink (soda + alcohol - 99% of the time bourbon-based), I'm fine with well.

If having a proper cocktail or having the liquor straight (either neat or on the rocks), wouldn't touch it.

That said the definition of well can vary a bit -- at Delta SkyClubs it's Jack Daniels which I'm actually fine with straight up but of course you go to a random bar nearby Jack could well be a premium liquor

Some restaurants/bars have a decent well. Most don't. Many well (and even not well) tequila is a recipe for an unpleasant next morning, no matter how disguised it may be in your drink - in fact, mixing it until you can taste no more in a soup of sweet goo is only going to make the head hurt more. Vodka y Rum, the 2 most likely things I won't call in a simple mixed drink.