A complete foundation for a real home bar — built with intention and Black-owned brands.
The Core Starter Bar brings together five essential spirits and a versatile bitters set to give you real range from day one. Each bottle was chosen for balance, approachability, and versatility — so you can explore different styles of drinks without overthinking it.
This isn’t about having every bottle. It’s about having the right ones.
What’s Included — and Why
Delta Dirt Distillery Sweet Blend Vodka Chosen for its clean profile and subtle sweetness, this vodka works equally well in simple highballs or spirit-forward cocktails. It’s forgiving, versatile, and easy to build around.
Delta Dirt Tall Cotton Gin A bright, approachable gin with a balanced botanical profile. This bottle gives you classic gin character without overpowering drinks, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned drinkers alike.
Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey Smooth, well-rounded, and deeply rooted in American whiskey history. This bottle brings warmth and structure to the bar and works beautifully neat, on the rocks, or in stirred cocktails.
Ten To One Caribbean Dark Rum (Black History Month Artist Edition) A blended dark rum that adds depth and richness without overwhelming sweetness. This bottle opens the door to rum classics and adds contrast to the lighter spirits in the lineup.
Talero Silver Organic Tequila Clean, expressive, and versatile. This tequila works for simple pours, citrus-forward drinks, and easy tequila classics without demanding additional specialty ingredients.
Hella Cocktail Co. Bitters Miniatures Set (5 Flavors) Bitters are the backbone of cocktail balance. This multi-flavor set lets you experiment, adjust, and learn how small changes can transform a drink — without committing to a single style.
What This Bar Lets You Do
With this setup, you can confidently make:
Highballs and simple mixed drinks
Spirit-forward pours and basic stirred cocktails
Citrus-based drinks using fresh fruit
Creative riffs while learning balance and structure
This bar gives you the range to explore and the confidence to start mixing.
Why This Bundle Works
Most starter bars fail by skipping the foundation and jumping straight to specialty bottles. This bundle does the opposite. It focuses on coverage, balance, and versatility — the building blocks of every great bar — while staying true to a Black-owned-first mission.
As your bar grows, this setup remains useful. Nothing here becomes redundant.
Who This Is For
First-time bar builders
New homeowners
Thoughtful, meaningful gifting
Anyone who wants a strong foundation without clutter
Delta Dirt Distillery Sweet Blend Vodka
Floral and fruity nose. Earthy palate with subtle sweet potato sweetness. Long, pleasing finish.
Delta Dirt Tall Cotton Gin
Juniper and light florals on the nose. Crisp, clean palate with orange citrus and coriander spice. Smooth, refreshing botanical finish.
Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey (Uncle Nearest)
Nose of honey, vanilla, toasted grain, red apple, lemon peel, oak, and clove. Vanilla palate with light white pepper and oak. Short finish with vanilla, dry oak, and light pepper.
Ten To One Caribbean Dark Rum: Black History Month Artist Edition
Rich honey, dried fruit, and baking spice on the nose. Palate features dried figs, apricots, vanilla, allspice, and nutmeg. Long, smooth finish.
Talero Silver Organic Tequila
Clean blue agave nose with subtle fruit. Slightly fruity, very clean palate.
Hella Cocktail Co. Bitters Miniatures Set (5 flavors)
Aromatic: Clove, allspice, bitter root
Orange: Bright, zesty, clean bitterness
Ginger: Spicy and warm
Smoked Chili: Smoky with mild heat
Citrus: Fresh, tangy citrus peel
Delta Dirt Distillery (Sweet Blend Vodka & Tall Cotton Gin)
Black-owned, family-run distillery founded by Harvey and Donna Williams with their sons Thomas and Donavan. Built on a four-generation Arkansas Delta farming legacy, they use sweet potatoes as a nod to Black agricultural heritage and focus on community revitalization in Helena–West Helena.
Uncle Nearest (Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey)
Co-founded by Fawn Weaver in 2017 to honor Nathan "Nearest" Green and his legacy in Tennessee whiskey.
Ten To One (Caribbean Dark Rum: Black History Month Artist Edition)
Founded by Marc Farrell in 2019 to spotlight rum's range and heritage. Ciara joined in 2021 as investor and co-owner.
Talero (Silver Organic Tequila)
Co-founded by Ben Carter. A 100% Black-owned international tequila brand focused on organic production and sustainability.
Hella Cocktail Co. (Bitters Miniatures Set)
Launched in Brooklyn in 2011 by Jomaree Pinkard, Eddie Simeon, and Tobin Ludwig. Built around real ingredients and a more inclusive craft cocktail culture.
Frequently Asked Questions - The Core Starter Bar
What is The Core Starter Bar bundle?
The Core Starter Bar is a curated bundle of five essential spirits plus a bitters set from Black-owned brands. It provides everything you need to build a home bar foundation without guessing which bottles to buy first. The bundle includes vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, tequila, and a 5-flavor bitters set.
Who should buy The Core Starter Bar?
The Core Starter Bar is perfect for:
First-time home bar builders starting from scratch
Anyone wanting a complete base set before buying specialty bottles
Gift givers for housewarmings, birthdays, engagements, or promotions
Spirit enthusiasts who want to explore different categories without overbuying
What cocktails can I make with The Core Starter Bar?
With The Core Starter Bar and basic ingredients you likely have at home (ice, citrus, soda water, simple syrup), you can make:
Custom creations using the 5-flavor bitters set to adjust and enhance flavors
Does The Core Starter Bar include everything I need for cocktails?
The Core Starter Bar is a complete foundation bar with essential spirits and bitters. It does not include cocktail modifiers like vermouth, triple sec, or orange liqueur. Think of it as your starting point—you can add specialty bottles and modifiers as you expand your home bar.
Are all bottles in The Core Starter Bar Black-owned?
Yes. Every spirit and bitters set in The Core Starter Bar comes from Black-owned distilleries and brands, including Delta Dirt Distillery, Uncle Nearest, Ten To One, Talero, and Hella Cocktail Co.
Will my bottles look exactly like the product photos?
Product packaging may vary. The Core Starter Bar always includes the listed items, but bottle labels and designs may differ slightly based on current brand packaging.
Can I customize or swap items in the bundle?
No, The Core Starter Bar is a fixed bundle. This allows us to maintain consistent pricing and accurate inventory management.
How long does shipping take for The Core Starter Bar?
Orders ship within 2–3 business days of purchase. You'll receive tracking information once your order is processed. Delivery time depends on your location.
Which states can't receive The Core Starter Bar?
We cannot ship alcohol to Michigan (MI), Utah (UT), South Dakota (SD), and Tennessee (TN) due to state shipping restrictions.
How do I track my Core Starter Bar order?
You'll receive an email with tracking details once your order ships, typically within 2–3 business days of purchase.
What if I need help choosing my next bottle or cocktail recipe?
We're here to help! Contact us with questions about building your bar, choosing your next bottle, or getting cocktail recommendations based on what you have. We'll point you in the right direction.
Shipping & Delivery
📦 Processing Time: Orders ship within 2-3 business days. 🚚 Shipping Restrictions: We cannot ship to MI, UT, SD, and TN. 🔍 Tracking Info: You’ll receive tracking details once your order is processed.