I need Whiskey help please. Top 5 whiskeys.

[Irving]

Hey guys.

We are getting married in Las Vegas at the end of September. We decided that we want to have a cigar bar, and a whiskey bar at the wedding. I'm not that familiar with whiskey, so I'd really like some cool ideas from you guys.

Tonight I picked up a bottle of Stranhan's on sale for $49.99 at Total Beverage.
I see that most other whiskey brands come in smaller sizes, so I was thinking of a smaller ($25) bottle of Bullett, and Knob Creek as well.

Anyway, when I walked into Total Beverage, I was stunned at the sheer number and variety of whiskeys. So, if you have to put together a Whiskey bar for a wedding, what would YOU put on it?

If you have ideas for cigars as well, that would be nice, but I'll likely just order some of those variety packs off the web.

Stranahan's
Knob Creek
Bullett
?
?
?
?
?
?

[kanekutter05]

I'm a fan of Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack myself

And on the cigar front, I haven't found a shop that beats Tewksbury downtown on 15th and Lawrence

[00tec]

Not sure on the whiskeys, but Daveco has a decent size humidor if you're looking for cigars (don't actually smoke cigars, just took note of it.

[J]

Hate to rain in your parade. But I wouldn't put any of those three in my list unless for sentimental reasons. If you want to serve something from the Beam distillery, basil Hayden's, Bakers, and Bookers are all better than knob, in that order.

It would be good to get you to taste a small variety of small batch (or better, single barrel) bourbons/sour mashes, and then I could easily recommend a bunch of stellar bottles. I've done multiple tours of bullet county Kentucky, and surrounding areas, and tasted hundreds more.

Do you have a budget in mind per 750mL? Most good bottles are 750s only.

ETA, gentlemen jack goes below those you suggested, IMHO.

[ChadAmberg]

Bushmills for the Irish Whisky.
A fine Scotch.
I hear the Japanese make a fine whiskey now that's preferred by many.

[mahabali]

Those are some nice choices! Stranahans is my absolute favorite! Add some Makers mark as well. I am more of a bourbon guy. Thats why I like your choices! But maybe add some scotch as well.

[Irving]

No one has rained on my parade. I know there are different kinds of whiskey, and I'm not sure if I want to do like some kind of world tour, or stick to a certain kind or what. So throw out those ideas, because I'd like to hear them, whatever they may be.

Also, I only know a few people in my family that know how to, and can appreciate drinking whiskey without a mixer. I don't want to just have a table full of Jack to placate the noobs, but would like some smoother stuff so people can at least drink some of the whiskey. I'd like to be able to get away with only having a few bottles because people won't chug it like they would if I put it next to Coca-Cola as a mixer.

Jayock, to answer your question on price...I'm not sure. I've got slightly over a month, and plenty of other things I need to spend money on. I'd like to spend $30 or under per bottle if I can get away with it.

[275RLTW]

Stranahan's is about the best for the money and it's local (don't you dare ruin it with a mixer...). A glass of that and a Cohiba are weekly traditions around my fire pit. I wouldn't spend $250 per bottle on rare whiskey that no one is going to appreciate. If I run across the pond again before you leave, I'll grab you some cubans...

[Goodburbon]

I like bourbon, but I don't have a terribly discerning taste.

I like makers 46 and just had some Platte Valley that was surprisingly good.

[J]

Those are some nice choices! Stranahans is my absolute favorite! Add some Makers mark as well. I am more of a bourbon guy. Thats why I like your choices! But maybe add some scotch as well.

You need to try some Pappy Van Winkle Family reserve, Olde Rip Van Winkle, or Elmer T Lee, Elijah Craig, or even Bookers. Will blow your mind if you think makers is really good.