Spirits Archives - Page 7 of 16 - First Pour Cocktails

Old Forester 1897

Posted on June 3, 2022April 18, 2022 by Nick

Old Forester 1897 is a bottled-in-bond offering from Old Forester / Brown Forman. This means it’s held in a government warehouse for 4 years and is distilled in one season. The end result is a 100 proof offering that comes in at about $50. If this sounds like there’s not a lot of info, that’s because there isn’t. For a product that comes in double the price of their Signature offering, and at the same proof, the basic difference appears to be the bonding and label (and minimum 4 year age). So is it worth over double?

Old Forester 1897

Sight: Chestnut / Oloroso Sherry

Smell: There’s a softness to the nose that gives way to a caramelized brown sugar and maple syrup nose. Notes of bananas and fresh cherries creep in before a dose of spices pop in. There’s a surprising amount of heat to the nose, and the fruit gradually grows in strength with just a hint of acetone or floral elements.

Sip: The palate is warm and full of brown sugar and spices. Clove and cinnamon jump out with a bit of cigar box and charred oak. Roasted banana and cherry jam come in, before giving up a bit of tobacco. There’s a slight mocha cream going on as well. It is a touch hot.

Savor: The finish is more of the light brown sugar and charred oak. It lingers with a hint of burnt marshmallow.

Old Forester 1897 is fine, with a nice nose and pleasant palate. The nose is rich, if slightly on the easier side, but it doesn’t ever quite elevate to captivating. The taste follows suit. It has a lot of nice elements, and it seems to fringe into refined, but then falls short. It almost seems like it misses a little bit of a punch, but it certainly isn’t bad.

In Cocktails

In a Manhattan, Old Forester 1897 is balanced and inviting. It lets loose some of it’s tobacco, spice, and brown sugar while giving the vermouth space to work. Then it adds in some brown sugar before it works into the background. The overall drink is actually quite bright. Overall it’s nice, but doesn’t seem like a $50 bottle Manhattan.

In Review – Old Forester 1897

Old Forester 1897 is underwhelming for $50. There are better options in the same price point that offer more complexity, more flavor, and more versatility. That might be the worst of it, until you consider that Old Forester already makes a 100 proof offering at less than half the price. In a side by side there’s an increase in heat, especially on the finish, but the flavors are more defined on the palate, and the noses are comparable. This is a problem, because Old Forester Signature 100 Proof Bourbon is within easy striking distance of it’s bigger cousin. For the purposes of your bar, this one is a hard pass, and Old Forester Signature 100 Proof Bourbon should get the nod instead.

Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength

Posted on May 27, 2022May 25, 2022 by Nick

Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength originally started its life as a distillery only release back in 2015. This release was designed to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Maker’s Mark 46. The limited release proved success, and for the 10th Anniversary, Maker’s decided to release it again in 2020 in a slight broader release. In 2021, they expanded the release even further, and I knew based on the solid offerings of their standard Maker’s, Maker’s 46, and their limited releases, this would be a must try. So was it worth the hunt?

Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength

Sight: A robust tawny.

Smell: Spiced honey and baklava lead. Stewed cherries and a perfumed vanilla note express themselves. Fresh cherries mix with spicy oak notes and there’s a bit of heat. A milk chocolate element joins in toward the end.

Sip: There’s a sizable amount of weight to start things off, but it’s still smooth despite a hint of heat. An immediate explosion of baking spices come forward and are toned down by the appearance of vanilla sugar and dried cherries. Caramel drizzles out, but is reigned in by brandied Bing cherries. A slight nuttiness and preserved figs show up with a little stone fruit.

Savor: The nuts and spices are accompanied by a tingly finish and lots of lingering tannins.

Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength is packed with flavor, almost to the point of being super saturated. The flavor complexity is delicious, but almost overwhelms at moments. The flavors kind of supersize the normal Maker’s Mark Cask Strength / Maker’s Mark. Where it gets a little lost is the French Oak finish. Somehow it loses some of the smoothness and finesse of it’s proofed down relative. Water teases this smoothness out, but it’s much more layered – almost like two different whiskey’s.

In Cocktails

In a Manhattan Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength continues it’s single handed push for every spice it can grab out of the pantry. It only reaches for these after it runs through a quick wall of vanilla and a series of preserved cherries. The weight is incredible, and it kind of gets into syrupy territory. The finish grabs more oak and wood notes, and the whole experience lingers dramatically. As it warms up, it picks up more warm vanilla notes, and hints of brown sugar.

In Review – Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength

Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength is an enjoyable offering, but the extra horsepower of cask strength doesn’t necessarily add to the fun. This offering is a bit of a mystery to me, as it seems to combine the strength of Maker’s Mark Cask Strength without the finesse of the finishing for Maker’s Mark 46. The result is like pushing a V8 engine into a Miata. Sure, it’s bonkers and entertaining, but it doesn’t necessarily make it any better for daily driving or track use. The biggest issue is at $60, this puts it at almost $20 more than Maker’s Mark Cask Strength and $25 dollars more than Maker’s Mark 46. For a sipper, this might make sense, but as a cocktail whiskey, this is a hard pass.

Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum

Posted on May 20, 2022May 11, 2022 by Nick

My first experience with Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum was in a concoction my friend in college called Swamp Water. Essentially, this meant the green-blue colored V8 Splash or a cup of Baja Blast from Taco Bell would be spiked with a fiery amount of Wray & Nephew. The result, predictably was a sweet drink with lots of tropical flavors that had a tendency to get your properly drunk, and quick. While many people probably look at the high proof and think this is a great use of this rum, the fact is there’s a lot of complex and delicious flavors you can use in cocktails here to make your cocktails even better.

Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum

Sight: Clear

Smell: When people talk about Jamaican Rum esters having ‘funk’ this is the smell they’re referring to. The raw funky smell is mixed with sugar cane, bananas, green peppercorns, black pepper, other tropical fruits, and a hint of citrus. There’s a decent hit of alcohol here if you inhale too close or too deeply, but it’s a generally inviting nose.

Sip: The sip is loaded with overripe bananas, mango, pineapple, and a bit of sweet coconut. The fire comes in soon after the start of the sip with plenty of spice, grassy vegetal notes, and (ester) rum funk. The spice notes lean into black pepper and earthy minerality.

Savor: The ending continues with a touch of bitterness, lots of heat, and plenty of dried tropical fruit and grassy notes. A gradual tobacco / leather note develops over time.

If you’re somehow made the decision to purchase Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum to drink it straight and you’re coming from Bacardi Superior, then you’ve either made a mistake or someone has misled you. While it is delicious, it’s definitely a mature, dry, punchy, and hot rum that’s loaded with ester flavors. They’re not exactly subtle or designed to be refined flavors as much as they’re designed to explode outward. Fans of high proof spirits can consider sipping this, but it’s going to do better for most people in cocktails.

In Cocktails

Assuming you’ve purchased Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum to make cocktails, you’re in for a lot of fun. The ester notes hang on and then give you a distinct rum character in a cocktail. In a daiquiri, there’s a burst of black banana notes, and fermented tropical fruits reminiscent of mango or pineapple. There’s a crazy pop of fruity sweetness that comes through mid palate and gives way into drier grassy and wood notes. The body gives amazing weight too. Overall, there’s a lot to like here if you can get past the strength of the ester notes that run throughout.

In Review – Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum

Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum is a great value for the amount of flavor it imparts, but it isn’t the kind of rum we recommend you start with. The esters and proof makes this one challenging for newer drinkers, even though it doesn’t present a price tag that implies that. As such, consider this an expansion to your bar, and you won’t be disappointed about the amazing, if occasionally overwhelming, flavors that it brings.

Bluecoat American Dry Gin

Posted on May 13, 2022May 10, 2022 by Nick

Traveling is one of the best ways to experience the changes in the landscape of distillers and new spirits. Our friend Nick traveled to Philly in the past few years, and as a gin aficionado, decided to test out Bluecoat American Dry Gin. A product of the Philadelphia Distillery, this modern style focuses on citrus forward notes, putting juniper on the backburner. There’s a heavy amount of competition in this segment, so is it worth the price?

Bluecoat American Dry Gin

Sight: It’s clear.

Smell: The nose is clearly contemporary with plenty of lemon and orange peel and the sweet woodsy smell of angelica. Juniper lingers in the background with a bit of spice.

Sip: The woodsy notes lead things off with a vanillan like character and plenty of dried citrus notes. The flavor of coriander gradually grows and gets laced through the citrus. Juniper is more of a background player here.

Savor: The ending carries on their botanical and citrus finish. It leans towards a mélange of oranges as it lingers.

Bluecoat American Dry Gin is soft, aromatic, and citrusy. The flavor is really gentle and easy going, but entirely what a classical gin lover would expect of a London dry. Even as contemporary gins go, the citrus notes are relatively dominant, along with the rolling woodsy-ness and slight vanilla character. The subtle spicing is pleasant as well.

In Cocktails

In a Martini, the woodsy nature of the angelica shines in the opening. It gives it a richness that blends against the alpine herb notes of the vermouth. The citrus kind of gradually creeps in and then takes over the drink. The juniper and coriander kind of get lost here, and the orange runs the ending over. It’s kind of a conflicting Martini, because it starts off quite nice, and the ending is clean and not unpleasant. Only during heavy scrutiny does it seem to get too citrusy.

In Review – Bluecoat American Dry Gin

Bluecoat American Dry Gin is gentle and lets juniper play the roll of an understudy. The stars here are citrus and angelica and it tastes like it. The flavors therefore lead to cocktail friendly gin that might occasionally get lost or show off any bright / citrusy counterparts it encounters. With a price tag around $25, this is a decent competitor to other contemporary gins like Aviation. While it isn’t a starter gin, fans of lighter contemporary gins and those that dislike juniper should consider Bluecoat.

Maker’s Mark

Posted on May 6, 2022May 6, 2022 by Nick

Among bourbon’s featuring wheat, there are few as readily available and recognized as Maker’s Mark. Made with soft red wheat, the intention of Maker’s is to be easy to drink without the bite of rye. This recipe is rumored to have at one point in its history share roots with Pappy Van Winkle’s Old Fitzgerald recipe. Factor in a couple of Beam boys and their yeast, and you have a recipe with more than a couple twists and turns. Figure that distilleries have sold, distillers have been replaced, and that recipes have been tweaked for modern palates; and you basically have the wax on the bottle as the best guess as to what to think.

So let’s throw all the history and tater baiting out the window, and start with a much more basic question. Is Maker’s Mark good bourbon?

Maker’s Mark

Sight: Between deep copper and burnished.

Smell: Chocolate, almonds, and cherries lead things off. Cocoa powder and touch of spice join in. Oak and a hint of ethanol finish things off.

Sip: Smooth and mild to start, with a medium body, Maker’s Mark is invitingly easy. Cherry, tobacco, oak lead, and hints of chocolate, spice, red licorice, and a brown sugars come into give a layer of complexity.

Savor: On the finish, oak leads and has touches of bing cherries with a slightly tannic nature and a bit of heat

Maker’s Mark is simple, well rounded, and built upon smooth, inviting flavors. While the body and the flavor profile isn’t the most complex, the texture makes up for it, and the wheat influence and fruity character makes it enjoyable and reasonably priced. As a result, it’s managed to find its way into most bars and is widely available. As a sipper, it’s perfectly fine on ice, but nothing to make you write home.

In Cocktails

In a Manhattan Maker’s Mark opens with maraschino cherries and touches of orange marmalade. Notes of almond and pecan come in, and there’s a good amount of clove and spice. Just prior to the finish, there’s a pop of dark brown sugar and caramelized stone fruit that then gets connected to an oaky finish.

In Review – Maker’s Mark

Maker’s Mark is a widely available wheated bourbon. The flavors are clear, clean, and strong. It provides good hints of nuts, spice, chocolate, and cherries, while not requiring a wait in line or bartering your left kidney. It’s well made and enjoyable, as well as well rounded. From this perspective, and around the mid $20 price point, there’s nothing here that’s not worth the time to experience. Maker’s is a foundation whiskey with good reason, and reportedly can trace it’s origins to Weller-Stitzel. We recommend you try it to see if you enjoy it, and potentially even keep it around your bar.

Siete Leguas Reposado

Posted on April 29, 2022April 21, 2022 by Nick

We love Siete Leguas Blanco in spite of the complete lack of information available online. We’ve previously covered this issue, while the box claims it’s Sazerac Company, they list no mention of Siete Leguas on their site. There’s also no English version of their site readily available, complicating matters further. That said, we love their blanco enough that their reposado was a must try. So is it worth it?

Siete Leguas Reposado

Sight: Extremely light white wine, almost pinot grigio like.

Smell: The nose starts off expressive and tangy with a mix of bright fino sherry and fresh agave. There are prickles of chili peppers, touches of vanilla, and fresh black pepper. Tropical fruits waft out like pineapple, grilled banana, and a mix of wet herbs and minerality. The nose has other hits of spice as well with just a pop of heat.

Sip: The body is like a smack of black pepper and artichokes with a bunch of oak right off the bat. Things starts to smooth out with more agave and grapefruit notes coming through. The tropical fruit flits around the edges and more of the agave notes come forward with more toasted flavors. A hint of cherry or banana also seems present with a little brine. The body has a nice weight and is smooth.

Savor: The finish is smooth with an emphasis on grilled vegetables, black pepper, and hints of oak, spice, and brine.

Siete Leguas Reposado’s nose does not quite match it’s taste, but the entire ride is delightfully complex. The nose implies this fruity, spicy, almost bright wine experience, but the body comes through with roasted vegetable and oak notes, with just hints of fruit. The finish adds a bit of spice and brine to tie the whole ending together. It’s an interesting sip, and keeps bringing me back to try it again.

In Cocktails

In a Margarita Siete Leguas Reposado adds black pepper and lets the citrus shine over a backdrop of smooth agave and gentle vanilla. That artichoke flavor is present with a very caramelized artichoke heart note, but the citrus really checks it. A slight bite of chili and tropical fruits joins in from time to time with a bit of minerality.. Overall, it keeps evolving in the glass, similar to how the tequila works on it’s own.

In Review – Siete Leguas Reposado

Siete Leguas Reposado is both complex and subtle. The flavors of roasted vegetables and pepper are more prevalent than in some over oaked examples of reposado. The fruity notes on the nose and the citrus notes offset this adding complexity and intrigue. At $50, this is heading toward the more expensive side of reposado, but still represents decent value.

Pasote Blanco Tequila

Posted on April 22, 2022April 21, 2022 by Nick

Pasote Blanco Tequila is one of those products that if you went to the website and tried to learn more about it, you’d end up concluding it was just another tequila. The webpage informs you that they craft their tequila with rain water, blue agave tequila grown in the highlands, and (also) spring water. The bottle is guarded by guerreros (a reference to aztec warriors that isn’t clearly explained). Does any of that make you want to buy a bottle for $42?

Fortunately, there’s a good number of enthusiasts in online communities who’ve had favorable things to say about tequila, so how does it shake out?

Pasote Blanco Tequila

Sight: Clear

Smell: Cinnamon apples and hibiscus flowers pop out immediately. Notes of roasted agave and lime follow, with a slight smokiness and a grapefruit zest character. There’s also an almost brown sugar like note with plenty of tropical fruit backing it up.

Sip: It starts out spicy and builds with black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and roasted spice notes. The agave and citrus start to kick in, and ripe tropical fruit and slight vanilla sugar tones join them. There’s a touch of salinity and a very herbaceous character begins to build with hints of smoke.

Savor: The ending is more spice, smoke, and roasted agave notes with plenty of almost cinnamon sugar.

Pasote Blanco Tequila is a bold and somewhat spicy tequila. The flavors of spice are the dominate characterestics, but it does a have a bit of sweetness that contrasts against more of the earthy elements. The roasty agave flavors are a good foil to some of the tropical and citrus notes. The net mix is a bit sporadic in its presentation, but the flavors are overall delicious, even for sipping.

In Cocktails

Pasote Blanco Tequila passes along its spice and roasted notes along to a Paloma in a balanced but firm way. The roasted notes even give it a slight smoke character, while the fruitiness compliments the grapefruit soda. The subtle lime and salinity work well to give it a long and refreshing finish. In a margarita, the sweetness of the orange bounces off the smokiness and spice of the tequila. The result is a smooth and silky margarita that leans into a savory meaty flavor with heavy touches of caramel, vanilla, and spice. The flavor is almost earthy, and lingers.

In Review – Pasote Blanco Tequila

Pasote Blanco Tequila is versatile and bold. It plays well in both cocktails and on it’s own. The flavors are complex, if slightly less subtle than some of the other tequilas we’ve tasted. The result though is a tequila that balances notes of spice, smoke, and citrus in a way that no one element seems to show up repetitively. While it costs a bit more, the quality is strongly there at a price in the low $40 and is arguably worth paying for.

Olmeca Altos Reposado

Posted on April 15, 2022April 14, 2022 by Nick

In last year’s tequila round up, there was a conspicuously obvious lack of variety. Everything was blanco. The reason behind this was more to have an even comparison field, but also to focus on the more commonly used blanco for Margarita applications. To remedy this, we’ll be taking a look at couple of reposado’s this year, and starting with Olmeca Altos Reposado, the sibling of one of our recommended bottles for starting your home bar.

Before we get too far, a recap on Tequilas. There are both 100% agave and mixto:

100% Agave – Nothing but agave used here in the distillation. No sugars, no color, no additives.
Mixto – Require 51% agave, but the rest can use sugars and neutral grain spirits.

Never use mixto. They are inconsistent and do not provide the quality or flavor needed.

Then there are the age statements:

Blanco / Plata / Silver – Unaged to two months in stainless steel or neutral barrels.
Reposado – Two months to one year in any sized oak barrel.
Anejo – 1 – 3 years in small oak barrels.
Extra Anejo – Minimum 3 years in oak barrels.

For the vast majority of drinks, Blanco / Reposado are going to be your best bets and most cost effective.

Olmeca Altos Reposado

Olmeca Altos Reposado is 100% agave which are aged 7-8 years. They’re roasted in brick ovens and processed with a large Tohana stone. The resulting mash is used into copper stills, and in the case of reposado, aged in used bourbon barrels.

Sight: Bordering on lightly aged Chardonnay or Chablis.

Smell: The nose is a raucous mix of grapefruit zest, caramel, vanilla, and touches of roasted agave. A subtle roastiness pervades and a linger bit of pepper hang around as well with some additional citrus.

Sip: The start is smooth and slightly dusty. A gradual build of caramel, vanilla, and oak start to show up. The citrus on the nose is more subdued and pithy. The roasted agave notes also move in late with a little burnt cinnamon.

Savor: The ending has a soft wood and vanilla note with a bit of agave. There’s a bit of tannin here and some burn.

Olmeca Altos Reposado is kind of calm and gentle, if a little on the straightforward side. The subtle citrus notes and light oak influence really help to give it character that you’d expect from a reposado tequila. That said, it doesn’t scream that it wants to be sipped neat. That’s ok though, its an easy going tequila at a reasonable price point for making cocktails.

In Cocktails

In a margarita, the caramel and vanilla notes come forward with a burly hit of tannic wood. The lime pulls in shortly after, and then expands the citrus. While the ending is slightly tannic and bitter, it’s a pretty smooth margarita. In a Rosita, it really brings some beautiful vanilla and oak notes, but the place it shines is in some of those burnt spice and citrus-agave notes. These shine beautifully against the herbal notes of the vermouth and with the bittersweet notes of the tequila.

In Review – Olmeca Altos Reposado

We generally like Olmeca Altos Reposado at $25-30. It brings a good amount of tequila character without being offensive or overpowering. As an entry point, this tequila is good a starter – but doesn’t open up world of tequila in any particular way. With tempered expectations, there’s a good amount to like about Olmeca, but you don’t need to feel pressure to find a bottle.

Cenote Blanco Tequila

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Nick

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and that means it’s Tequila season! Last year we went through four tequilas, and this year we’re adding in a newcomer, Cenote Blanco Tequila. Named after the swimming holes that are created by the collapse of limestone, Cenote features reverse osmosis filtered water from an artisan well by the base of a Volcano on their property. The water is paired with 100% blue agave that are grown to a minimum age of 6 – 7 years, and distilled in both copper and stainless steel pot stills. For their blanco tequila, the resulting spirit is aged 3 weeks in American oak to help mellow it.

Cenote Blanco Tequila

Sight: Clear

Smell: Notes of black pepper, green bell pepper, agave, and citrus come together in a harmonious and bright mix. Notes of vanilla and resinous pine hide in the background with a plethora of other green vegetable hints.

Sip: Starting off smooth, it opens with lime, black pepper, and agave notes. A touch of vanilla and a bit of cedar get together, and give way to some additional spice. The citrus notes continue to evolve as it goes adding earth, char, and a touch of yeast.

Savor: The ending is more citrus and pepper and char. The length continues with a dry yeastiness and charred agave.

Cenote Blanco Tequila is definitely leaning into the drier, citrus and green vegetable side of tequila. Ultimately, the flavor profile is very balanced, and the smoothness keeps it easy to drink. The flavors aren’t super in your face either, so you can pensively explore each sip. This is a nice set of flavors for those looking to upgrade and try something more conservative.

In Cocktails

In a Margarita the Cenote boosts the lime and citrus notes to the forefront while letting the sweetness stay balanced. The agave notes play around in the background and give it a distinct flavor. Despite the sweetness that’s present on palate, it’s very dry on the finish. There’s a very pointed agave funk kind of ending with a healthy dose of black pepper. This flavor profile can make it a little challenging in cocktails, especially for those used to fruitier, less agave and vegetable forward tequilas.

In Review – Cenote Blanco Tequila

Cenote Blanco Tequila is a balanced tequila with a drier profile than other mass market offerings. The no additive nature and moderate price point makes this an attractive choice for tequila fans looking to branch out into more restrained tastes. We recommend this as an expansion bottle for your bar, but it might be a little intimidating as a starter.

Original Krupnik Honey Liqueur

Posted on April 1, 2022March 29, 2022 by Nick

It’s almost Dyngus Day again, and rather than make our own Krupnik again, we opted to try Original Krupnik Honey Liqueur. Produced by Marie Brizard in Poland, there’s reason to suspect that this should be good quality liqueur for a reasonable price. A honey and herb liqueur infusion, this polish liqueur will give you one more option to celebrate the day. You can also use it in our original Krupnik Fizz and The Pussy Willow.

Original Krupnik Honey Liqueur

Sight: Caramel / Straw. Caramel coloring is added for consistency.

Smell: The smell of honey is dominant and there are touches of herbs and a little baking spice. There’s a touch of fermented honey funk to it.

Sip: The start is sweet, and immediately veers into mead and honey notes. A hint of herbal and spice notes come out as well. There is a bit of raw alcohol flavor as well – although the exact grain is hard to pinpoint (possibly rye?)

Savor: The ending is more honey with a little spice.

Original Krupnik Honey Liqueur is sweet and predominately honey flavored. There’s a balance of sweetness here so it’s not quite cloying, but it is very sweet. As a sipper, it’s easy going if simple. There’s not a lot to dislike, unless you’re not a fan of honey.

In Cocktails

In a Krupnik Fizz, the sweetness tones down dramatically, and the wine notes are given reign. The herbal notes and spices slide into the background, and are touch to pick out. While it works well as a sweetener, it provides mostly a honeyed note. The net results is a nice drink, but we recommend making your own Krupnik if you want something spectacular.

In Review – Original Krupnik Honey Liqueur

At only $14, Original Krupnik Honey Liqueuer is an affordable shortcut to making your own. While it isn’t the most amazing liqueur in the world, it’s well made and affordable. Availability can be hit and miss, and it isn’t particularly called for in most cocktails. That said, if you want to add one more Polish item to your Dyngus Day, then grab a bottle of Original Krupnik Honey Liqueur for the novelty of it.

Suntory Whiskey Toki

Posted on March 25, 2022March 21, 2022 by Nick

Suntory Whisky Toki – more commonly referenced as Suntory Toki – is best known for its sterling reputation of making elevated Highballs. It’s made from a blend from Suntory’s three distilleries, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita, primarily featuring the later two’s grain whiskeys. Suntory is specifically focused on blending with the whisky, aiming to show what can be done with each of the distilleries’ spirits. Unlike some of Suntory’s other highly sought after whiskies, you should be able to find Toki easily and at a price that won’t break the bank. So how is it?

Suntory Whisky Toki

Sight: Pale straw fringing into corn.

Smell: Apple skins, malt, and spices open up with a hint of heat. A strong floral note comes in and touches of orange marmalade join in. Caramel and lemon have element notes in the background as well.

Sip: The flavor is gentle, malted, with hints of honey and caramel. Touches of wet slate, minerality, lemon pith, and flowers come in. The body is light, slightly warm. There are hints of spice, nut, and other elements toward the background.

Savor: The ending picks up a certain amount of aged wood and malt. There are elements of salinity and minerality, and caramel flavor. Specifically caramel flavor because it isn’t a sweet caramel.

Suntory Whisky Toki is fine. The flavor profile is gentle and subtle. The blending of the whiskey has a good impact on how the flavors layer, although they aren’t particularly interesting or enticing. As a neat whiskey, we’d recommend most other whiskeys. Toki also isn’t normally associated with drinking neat.

In Cocktails

Suntory Whisky Toki is frequently referenced as one of the best whiskeys for use in a Highball. In our experience, the highball brought out malt and cereal notes from the Suntory Toki. The apple notes become more subtle, while the floral elements are given more room to operate. Caramel and spice move into the background and work well with the minerality. The Toki actually helps the drink become an extension of itself. The subtle nature that helps it work in a highball is an indicator in this scenario that it plays better with other similarly gentle flavors.

In Review – Suntory Whisky Toki

Overall, Suntory Whisky Toki has a place in cocktails, but the rest of the value will be determined by the value you place on Japanese Whiskey. Most classic cocktails do not call for Japanese Whiskey, and it isn’t the most versatile ingredient, working well in more subtle, gentle cocktails. When served neat, it communicates much the same way, in an elegant and mild sort of way. The price point puts it right in line with most entry level Japanese Whiskeys and it’s widely available, making it the most common choice. All that said, we still recommend that try it before you buy it.

Empress 1908 Gin

Posted on March 18, 2022March 18, 2022 by Nick

Handcrafted by Victoria Distillers in British Colombia, Empress 1908 Gin is a contemporary style gin that is infused with butterfly pea blossoms. With the use of this particular tea the gin harnesses one of the hottest trends in cocktails over the last couple years. The idea is that when acid touches the blue butterfly tea, it turns pink. The result is a product that seeks to balance contemporary gin with color in a package to make cocktails live out loud. So does it pull it off?

Empress 1908 Gin

Sight: Obviously, it is a blue to violet hue. The color is strikingly close to some Creme de Violet.

Smell: The nose starts out perfumed with roses and violets, giving way to juniper and citrus peels. An earthy note laces through the background, fringing into asparagus and herbs. A slight spice lingers around the edge.

Sip: The start is smooth and a hint sweet. The palate dries out, picking up rose and floral notes, touches of earth, green herbs, and plenty of citrus ranging from lemon oil to grapefruit. Coriander and juniper come up from the depths to tie everything together and grab the reins.

Savor: Juniper, earthy green vegetables, and coriander linger on the finish.

Empress 1908 Gin is not overly aggressive or floral, but does deliver plenty of citrus and juniper with a floral and earthy backdrop. The contemporary style’s earthiness is clearly a result of the butterfly pea blossoms that provide the indigo color. As contemporary gin styles go, the spice of coriander and the citrus nearly even things up with the juniper. The net result is a balanced gin that’s got slightly unique bent.

In Cocktails

In a Martini Empress 1908 Gin shows up to play background. The earthiness comes through with plenty of grapefruit and juniper. The vermouth tangos across center stage giving it’s herbal character and bright wine notes a starring role that hangs out on stage. The biggest pops come from the citrus oils and vermouth vinous notes. The result is a good martini that doesn’t quite demonstrate exceptionalness. That said, we find that some of the floral and citrus notes come out better in other applications, where the complexity doesn’t necessarily play a duet, but part of an ensemble, like our Flowers Are Expensive.

In Review – Empress 1908 Gin

Empress 1908 Gin is beautiful to look at and has a nice flavor profile. The cost isn’t exactly on the low end though, coming in at close to $40. Butterfly Pea Blossom Tea is pretty, but it’s also earthy, and in this application, it doesn’t bring enough beyond color to make it worthwhile. The contemporary flavors don’t end up significantly more interesting than Aviation, which comes in at a significantly cheaper $25. If you absolutely must have a bottle for the color, feel free to pay the premium. Otherwise, consider buying your own Butterfly Pea Tea – like this one we’ve used in the past from Amazon.