If you’re like me, you’ve stratified your whiskey collection into tiers: everyday whiskey, special-occasion whiskey, that bottle you’re saving for a major wedding anniversary. And party bottles.

The party bottle isn’t a specific brand or style of whiskey; it’s a vibe. Party bottles are the whiskies that are best suited to sharing widely, so that if you only get a sip or two, you won’t feel you’ve missed anything.

That’s not to say that the party bottle should be bad whiskey. You don’t want to get a reputation for only offering guests the bottom of the barrel. But whiskies that you are less jazzed about, or that you’ve become bored with, or duplicates of bottles you’re holding onto—these are great party bottles.

So are the heels and bottle ends of your collection, the last few ounces that have sat lingering for weeks or months. Don’t fall prey to believing you can come back to that whiskey at some unspecified future time and find it unchanged. Finish it! Make a “bottle kills” table and let your guests have fun sorting through the selection—then feel the deep satisfaction of hauling a big bag of empties out to your recycling bin at the end of the night.

Of course, the ultimate party bottle is the Big Boy. Once upon a time, you could find full gallons of whiskey, with their own cradles for pouring, but these days the biggest bottle size is a handle at 1.75 liters. Much as a jeroboam of Champagne can elevate the mood from festive to bacchanalian, a handle sets an especially convivial tone. It flaunts a winking mischief, recalls a raucous youthful heyday, alludes to nights that don’t end until the sun comes up (even if your crowd won’t make it past midnight).

Plus, 1.75 liters is economical, the cheapest per-ounce cost for a large group. And it’s easy! Setting out a handle or two to last the length of the party lets people serve themselves without decision fatigue or distraction from the main event. And while you may think the size is only found on the bottom shelf, there are in fact many respectable brands that come in handles, including Glenmorangie, Eagle Rare, and the elusive Weller. Scroll down for some of my favorites.

Pouring from a handle can have an Alice in Wonderland effect—as can bottles on the opposite end of the scale. If you want to inject the party with a dash of whimsy, offer guests their choice of mini bottles. Just like with handles, there’s a surprisingly wide array of nips to be found, from high-end pours like Johnnie Walker Blue to workaday bourbons like Elijah Craig. (The Whisky Shop usually has a good selection.)

I like to keep a few mini bottles on hand for “emergencies,” like when I’m headed to a tailgate where everyone else will be drinking cheap beer. They make excellent party favors or ad hoc thank you gifts. And if you want to be the most popular neighbor, offering a grab bag of mini bottles for an adult Halloween treat wins a whole lot of goodwill.

Whatever you choose to party with, don’t forget that hospitality extends beyond the bottle. Have good glassware, quality ice, and plenty of water on hand for your guests.

The Best Handles of Whiskey to Keep the Party Going

Four Roses ($38)

The iconic “Yellow Label” may be tan now, but the bourbon inside remains delicious and versatile.

Old Forester 100 ($40)

Full-bodied and full-flavored thanks to its bumped-up proof, this is the ultimate sip-and-mix bourbon.

High West Double Rye ($45)

Blending the Utah distillery’s rich pot still rye with MGP’s 95 percent rye yields a whiskey that has become a new classic.

Elijah Craig Rye ($62)

A classic Kentucky-style rye that balances oily, sweet corn with the rye grain’s zesty spice.

Monkey Shoulder ($60)

This rich—but not heavy—blended malt scotch is targeted at cocktails but just as worthy of sipping neat.

Glenlivet 12-Year-Old ($89)

The classic Speysider has a mild-mannered proof—just 40 percent ABV— and light body, but its bright fruity flavor fits a party atmosphere.

Forty Creek Barrel Select ($40)

An under-the-radar Canadian whisky with a bolder than usual profile, and a solid cocktail option.

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