Category: Liqueur

Buddhacello

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This is not something from another world, but is a citrus called Buddha’s Hand. It is incredibly aromatic. There is a smell of lemony fruit that fills the room. The peel and pith aren’t bitter, but there is no juice to be found.

I’m trying a little experiment, but I’m by no means the first. I peeled and cubed a portion of the Buddha’s Hand and placed it into a glass jar. In went enough vodka to cover. A good shake, and into the back of a cool dry cabinet. About once a week, I ‘ll give it a shake, and in 6 weeks, I’ll strain it into another jar and add simple syrup to taste. Back in the cabinet for another week and then another taste. The goal? Buddhacello!

I like Limoncello. Will I like Buddhacello? Check back in a couple of months and see…

Fireball Cinnamon Whisky

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I like candy as much as most overgrown kids, but this may be taking it a bit too far. Think Atomic Fireballs in an unholy alliance with whiskey. The taste is very reminiscent of Goldschlager, which I had taken a sip of many years ago.

No.

I bought it out of curiosity, and now my curiosity has been satisfied. I believe I will find myself less curious in the future!

Proof: 66 (33% ABV)

Price: $1 for 50ml

Buy again: No

St. Elder Elderflower Liqueur

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It turns out the delicate white flowers of the Elderberry plant produce a fine little liqueur when steeped in a base spirit, and with the addition of sugar. The taste is fruity and has been described as “peach, meets lychee, meets pineapple”.

St. Germaine is the top shelf Elderflower liqueur, with a decorative bottle to match, and at $35 for 750ml, I left it on the top shelf. I did, however, find St. Elder on sale, at a lower altitude. The reviews indicated that the two products were virtually the same.

It is sweet, and I have sipped it over ice.  I’ve only tried it one cocktail so far, and wasn’t a fan of the apple juice heavy drink, so the verdict is out on using it as mixer.

Proof: 40 (20% ABV)

Paid: $17 (on sale) for 750ml
(for those doing the math, that is half the price of St. Germaine)

Buy again: Probably (if I can find some cocktails that work well with it)

Fabrizia Limoncello

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I first tried Pallini Limoncello, and being a fan of Lemonheads candy, I liked it. Fabrizia has an aroma more of lemon, than of lemon candy. There is less difference in the taste. Pallini feels thicker and sweeter than Fabrizia, but sipping them side-by-side gives a very similar experience. Speaking of which, for small amounts, I can actually sip limoncello.

Proof: 54 (27% ABV)

Paid: $16 (on sale) for 750ml

Buy again: Probably

 

Dekuyper O3 Orange Liqueur

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I have to admit a certain fascination with orange liqueur in all of its forms. As soon as I read about Cointreau, I knew I was on the right track. I’m a fan of citrus, and my tastes lean to the sweet side, so orange liqueur fits the bill. There really isn’t any tart in orange liqueurs (at least the ones I’ve tasted). It’s more of an essence of orange, and some are candy-like in the extreme.

So, I have a problem. I see a new orange liqueur, and, I want to try it. And so it was with DeKuyper O3. This is sold as the upscale version of their bottom shelf triple sec. It is listed as being made from “Brazilian Oranges”. It is less assertive in  a cocktail thank Gran Gala, but also has a more natural aroma.

Proof: 80  (40% ABV)

Paid: $17 (on sale) for 750ml

Buy Again: Maybe

Carolans Irish Cream

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I am interested in dessert drinks, especially as winter gets closer. Irish cream is used in quite a few dessert drinks like the Mudslide, Buttery Nipple, and Chocolatini.

Since I have not opened this yet, I don’t know whether it is a category I’ll like or use. Time will tell, and I’ll update this post soon.

Proof: 34 (17% ABV)

Price: $10 for 750ml (on sale)

Buy again: Don’t know yet

 

Dr. McGillicuddy’s Intense Apple Pie Liqueur

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This is possibly the longest name for an alcohol product. Ever. The aroma is apple and cinnamon. The flavor is apple, cinnamon, and I would swear, buttery crust.

The problem I have with it, is that it is fine for what it is, but it doesn’t mix with much else. I think I will try it with Buttershots to see if I get the caramel apple pie flavor that I imagine.

Proof: 48 (24% ABV)

Paid: $13 for 750ml (If I recall correctly)

Buy again: No

DeKuyper Buttershots

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Liquid butterscotch. Or is it caramel? Either way, it is a very sweet liqueur. A liquid dessert. I bought this on a whim. There are a number of equally sweet cocktails that can be made with Buttershots. If I didn’t have such a sweet tooth, there is no way I could drink much of it.

Proof: 30 (15% ABV)

Price: $11 for 750ml

Buy again: No

Di Amore Amaretto (Almond Liqueur)

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Amaretto is an almond liqueur. It is sweet, and has an almost cherry-like taste. Amaretto is produced from a base of apricot pits, peach pits, or almonds. If you’ve ever tasted almond extract or desserts made from it, this will be familiar. The aroma matches the taste. The alcohol is almost lost in the flavor. You could drink this straight, but again, it would be a very sweet drink on its own.

If you need something to try, the Amaretto Sour is the perfect cocktail to start with.

Proof: 42 (21% ABV)

Paid: $7 for 375ml

Buy again: Yes

Arrow Banana Liqueur

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And here is an example from my ABC state rant. Do I think the perfect banana liqueur is just out of reach? Is there a banana liqueur produced by unicorns that delights the palate? Of course not. As soon as it goes into whatever fruity cocktail, I’ll forget all this nonsense and simply enjoy my artificial banana flavored cocktail.

Look, it tastes like sweet banana candy with alcohol. Who could want anything more.

Proof: 30 (15% ABV)

Paid: $11 for 750ml

Buy again: Yes, since I don’t have a choice in North Carolina.