The Ultimate Whisky Bar Setup: Essentials for Whisky Enthusiasts

Whether you’re beginning your bartender journey or are a tried-and-true mixologist (or shopping for the same), here are eight essential whisky-related gifts to help you stock a home bar that will be a hit with friends and family.

1. Cocktail shaker set — It’s no big fuss to improvise a DIY cocktail shaker in a pinch, but the real thing makes every drink an event. For creating the ideal cocktail experience, nothing beats the professional look, unmistakable sound, and perfect pour you get from a stainless steel cocktail shaker. Look for a set that includes the basics, an all-in-one mixer, strainer, and chiller—and you’ve got yourself a tool that will elevate any festive occasion.
2. Jigger — The top of a good cocktail shaker doubles as a jigger, however, sometimes all you want is an easy and accurate pour. A stainless steel jigger is perfect for measuring out 0.75 oz and 1.5 oz pours. They also just look mighty fine as part of a home bar setup.
3. Bar multi-tool — Cut out the clutter with one tool that can manage all your most common bar jobs. A good bar multi-tool can perform as a bottle opener, peeler, citrus stripper, and garnish maker. That functionality opens up hundreds of popular craft cocktail recipes and makes them easier to prepare and more satisfying for your guests.
4. Cutting board & paring knife — If you get deep into the whisky cocktail lifestyle, you’re going to be prepping some garnishes. Slicing, peeling, and cutting is a lot easier when you have the right tools for the job. A bar cutting board is a lot smaller than typical kitchen ones, so it should fit nicely into a compact setup.
5. Bar glassware — If you’re building a solid home bar, it’s time to move on from red Solo cups. You don’t need to shop Baccarat either, just look for affordable options for a handful of common glassware styles. Rocks glasses, highball glasses, cocktail, and shot glasses will cover you for a wide variety of whisky sessions. Add in pint, wine, martini, and champagne glasses to be ready for almost any occasion. And when you’re out enjoying nature, a flask is a handy way to savor an authentic Western sipping experience.
   Whisky glasses are an advanced move for enthusiasts who prefer their whisky neat. The tighter top keeps the aroma in, while the wide and curved bottom is perfect for cupping, which adds warmth. The design is ideal to bring out the full flavor from every sip.
6. Big block ice cube tray — Some folks prefer whisky stones, but those can scratch your nice glassware. Big ol’ ice cubes look better, stay cold longer, and melt slower than regular ice cubes, so they don’t dilute your drink. You can also freeze fruit and citrus twists in them for added decoration.
7. Coasters — Protect your bar top, especially if you’ve gone through the time to create something custom. You can use napkins, but those can stick to the bottom of the glass or soak through. Leather coasters are ideal: they absorb added moisture that might blemish your bartop, won’t stick to glasses, and they also won’t leave scuff marks or dings like stone and metal. Get creative and accessorize to show off some legitimate home bar character.
8. Cocktail recipe book — Yes, you can find any cocktail recipe you want on your phone. However, we prefer the traditional style of a cocktail book that looks good in your bar setup. Having a book handy also gives the option for your guests to poke through it and choose their favorites. There are many to choose from, the ones with lots of pictures are the best.