re: So I need to stock up my liquor cabinet from scratch...

WRT bourbon, Jack Daniels isn't. But it's good to have a bottle of Jack to satisfy people who think they like bourbon but really only like Jack and Coke. Jack's closest bourbon relative is Jim Beam.

Try to go off the beaten path. Everyone's had Jack and Jim, and they're boring. Jim Beam' small batch series (Bakers, Knob Creek, Booker Noe and Basil Hayden) are all seviceable bourbons - as is Woodford Reserve - and all should be easy to find. If you go to a liquor store worth it's salt you should be able to find some obscure and some small batch labels like Elmer T. Lee, Blanton's, W.L. Wellers Special Reserve, Four Roses. All of these are excellent.

Also pay attention to the proof. If the intent is to drink it neat, stay below 90-95 proof.