Gre at King Street Gl as gow Blend Scotch is expensive. This smoky, peaty, blended bottle from Compass Box is a tasty and economical intro to the heavier flavors of Islay. $35. Lukas Wine & Spirits, 15678 Manchester Road, Ellisville, 636.227.4543, lukasliquorstl.com
El Dorado 5-Ye ar Rum Made in wood stills in Guyana, this rum is way cheaper than it should be. Five years in used bourbon barrels produces a panoply of flavor notes from dried fruit to caramel. $20. Randall’s Wine & Spirits, various locations, shoprandalls.com
32 I SAUCE MAGAZINE I saucemagazine.com
Trader Joe’s The Art of The Still Or ganic Gin
Trader Joe’s Single M alt Irish Whiskey
S chnucks Private Stock Bourbon
Not as juniper-forward as a London dry, TJ’s martiniworthy New Western-style gin is clean, crisp and citrusy. $14. Trader Joe’s, various locations, traderjoes.com
Sweet and floral with just a touch of smoke and leather, this whiskey is aged in oak for eight years. $25. Trader Joe’s, various locations, traderjoes.com
A 100-proof high-rye bourbon sourced from a well-regarded distillery on Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, this house brand unicorn strikes a delicious balance between boozy, spicy and smooth. $13. Schnucks, various locations, schnucks.com Guide to Drinking 2017
PHOTO BY JONATHAN GAYMAN
BUDGET BOOZE
Looking for quality spirits at swill prices? From third party-manufactured house brands to underpriced hidden gems, here are some first-rate options that won’t break the bank. – Matt Sorrell