BourbonBlog.com became the first to bring you the video segment below about the new Drambuie 15 months ago when we tasted it at the launch at Tales of the Cocktail.

For whisky and Scotch fans, we recommend trying the new expression, Drambuie 15 as it brings the whisky cues to the forefront as compared to the original Drambuie.

However, the elixir which Drambuie fans have come to love, is still there in a smaller dosage allowing a refined message of smoke and sweet to speak.

Old Speyside malts with soft, complex fragrance and flavors to complement the aromas of the secret DRAMBUIE recipe.

A soft mouthfeel and delicious for sipping and savoring either neat or over ice. With the retail price of $56 (1 liter, 43% ABV), it brings a much different flavor than you might expect.

Here is our review…

Drambuie 15 Year Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur Review

Whisky: Drambuie 15

Distillery: The Drambuie Liqueur Co.Ltd, Edinburgh, Scotland

Age: 15 year old Speyside Malt blended with Drambuie’s elixir

Proof: 86 Proof, 43% ABV

Color:Rich gold

Nose: Herbacious qualities much like the original Drambuie along with light peat, lavender and burnt sugar almost “brûlée” type aroma.

Taste: The sugar comes in first then goes straight to the heather honey along with the more pronounced notes of a silky Scotch whisky.

There is a fruitiness, maple syrup, walnuts, pralines and vanilla. Pleasant complexities that compliment the Scotch notes.

One member of our tasting pannel said this Drambuie 15 reminded her a bit of Lochan Ora Scotch Liqueur which is made by Chivas Brothers, and she likes the Drambuie 15 even better. We believe Lochan Ora is only available in Europe and the U.K.

Finish: Cleans up well with a lingering Scotch and sweetness.

Drambuie 15 Year Old Release Video at Tales of the Cocktail

Whisky review by BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer and Stephen Dennison along with our dear friend Gayle DeMersseman

Popularity: 10% [?]

BourbonBlog.com reviews Rums from the collection of Ron Brugal. Ron Brugal tell us that are the #1 selling Rum in the Caribbean and the top seller in the Dominican Republic.

We recently attended the launch of Brugal 1888 at Tales of the Cocktail and interviewed Gustavo Ortega Zeller (5th generation Rum Master of the Brugal family), Marc Bromfeld, Director of Brugal Rum, Juan Campos Brand Development Manager.

Watch our video with Brugal poolside below and read our reviews of Ron Brugal Blanco Especial R, Ron Brugal Añejo, Ron Brugal Extra Viejo and the new Brugal 1888.

Brugal Ron Blanco Especial Review

Rum:: Brugal Ron Blanco Especial

Distillery: Brugal & Co., S.A, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Aged: One year of aging in special casks then filtered to remove all color.

Proof: 80 Proof, 40% ABV

Color: Clear

Nose: Slight wood, coconut and floral.

Taste:: Enters with a somewhat spicey bite and gives way to hints of coconut, lime, slight marzipan.

Finish: Floral, light and mildly sweet

Brugal Ron Añejo Review 

Rum:: Ron Brugal Añejo Rum

Distillery: Brugal & Co., S.A, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Proof: 80 Proof, 40% ABV

Color: Light to medium golden amber

Nose: Pleasant vanilla and hint of sugar cane.

Taste:: Enters with spice and becomes soft, smooth and buttery vanilla balanced by pineapple and slight citrus. Good expression of the oak with nice expression of sugar cane remaining in tact, approachable and delicious

Finish: Nice clean finish with one last touch of a peppery spice to end things off. This rum provides enough heat even at 80 proof to stand up to cocktails.

Brugal Ron Extra Viejo Review

Rum:: Brugal Ron Extra Viejo

Distillery: Brugal & Co., S.A, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Aged: a blend of 3 to 8 years

Proof: 80 Proof, 40% ABV

Color: Dark amber

Nose: Slight wood, coconut and floral

Taste:: Takes on characteristic of a fine Cognac. Coffee, tobacco

Finish: Rich, java tones.

Brugal 1888 Review

Rum:: Brugal 1888

Distillery: Brugal & Co., S.A, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Aged: a blend of rums aged 5 to 15 years. Double-distilled and double-aged (first in American oak barrels followed by Spanish sherry casks. These are the same sherry casks that would aged for The Macallan Scotch Whisky.

Proof: 80 Proof, 40% ABV

Color: Rich Amber

Nose: Prevalence of vanilla with a spice and sweet that battle each other but leave a rounded aroma. Ginger bread, dried apricots and hints of chocolate.

Taste:: Smooth and creamy with a light smokiness. Flavors of cinnamon, caramel, and chocolate. Pleasant with some elements of a fine Scotch combined with toasty, nutty notes. This is a real adventure in flavor for any Rum enthusiast like we’ve never tasted at BourbonBlog.com.

Finish: Lingering, sweet, with some oak and smokiness.

Popularity: 7% [?]

“The South in Your Mouth” may be a bit overused , but seems to be appropriate here as Southern Comfort Liqueur blends their original liqueur with Tabasco sauce. Two New Orleans flavors in one bottle and certainly well done with the combination of flavors.

The sweetness level is high, but not so sugary that it can’t be enjoyed straight as the “fiery pepper” rounds it out nicely.

However, the hot world of possibilities that Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper will give mixologists will be far more useful this one as a sipper or shooter.

Here is my review on the BourbonBlog.com video above and tasting notes below…

Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper Review

Liqueur:: Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper

Produced and bottled by: Southern Comfort Company, Louisville, KY (Brown-Forman)

Proof: 70 Proof, 35% ABV

Color: Light to medium rust

Nose: Cinnamon candies, slightly smokey citrus, enough sweet Tabasco to tickle the nose

Taste: Enters sweet, begins to coat the mouth with a tangy and mildy cloying bite as the Tabasco sause opens up toward mid-palette and finish. It becomes like a fiery candy with notes of the peppers expressed in a sugary and pleasant fashion. The heat level isn’t super intense. Hints of glazed peaches, buttery citrus and mild orange-flavored whiskey element. The whiskey is fairly hard to detect within the fire, but swims within.

Finish: Candy-like and sweet with a smooth medium to long finish

This story and review are dedicated to my friend Fluff whom I haven’t seen for years. When I lived in Oxford, England, he was an avid fan of Southern Comfort. He always dreamt of visiting New Orleans and playing his guitar in a club there. Thanks for all the good times on Cornmarket Street.

Popularity: 12% [?]

If you’re in Denver or Chicago, be glad you’re reading this. For everyone else, it may be coming your way as the offering expands into your markets or as you order some…it is worth searching for online.

Olmeca Altos Plata and Reposado Tequilas are both distinct 100% Blue Agave Tequilas from the celebrated Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. Pernod Ricard USA has introduced these in the USA with initial availability in Chicago and Denver only. This tequila was conceived as a collaboration among the tequila experts, Olmeca Altos is the creation of Master Tequilero Jesus Hernandez and internationally acclaimed bartenders Henry Besant and Dre Masso.

During our tasting of these tequilas BourbonBlog.com, we find both of the Plata and Reposado fine enough to sip on their own while being bold enough to preserve the integrity of the agave when mixed in a margarita.

And for that touch of Bourbon, the Reposado is aged in ex-Bourbon casks.

Olmeca Altos Plata Review

Tequila: Olmeca Altos Plata
Distillery: Destileria Colonial de Jalisco, Los Altos, Mexico
Proof: 80; approximately 40% ABV
Color: Clear
Nose: Vanilla, soft fruitiness with hints of citrus
Taste: Smooth and approachable. Pleasant  balance of clean agave with undertones of spice, citrus and predominant vanilla flavor and hints of pepper. Serious depth for a blanco Tequila.
Finish: Fresh and vibrant.

Olmeca Altos Reposado Review

Tequila: Olmeca Altos Reposado
Distillery: Destileria Colonial de Jalisco, Los Altos, Mexico
Proof: 80; approximately 40% ABV
Age: 6 – 8 months
Notes: 100% Blue Agave, aged 200 litre white Ameircan oak, ex-Bourbon casks
Color: Light honey
Nose: Nice alcohol prevalence, orange, touch of cinnamon and earthy
Taste: Marizpan, almond, definite hints of cinnamon. Delicious spice.
Finish Cinnamon and moderate to long finish.

Tequila review by BourbonBlog.com‘s Stephen Dennison and Tom Fischer

Popularity: 8% [?]

The new Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey has been out for a few months and we decided it was time to review Jack Daniels Honey here on BourbonBlog.com.

Generally, Jack is a whiskey which strikes the best and worst chords in drinkers…some love it, some don’t.

Mingling and infusing flavors with whiskey seems to solicit the same response..so we invite you to start the commenting and debate below under comments.

Appreciating it for what it is and not comparing it your favorite straight whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Honey offers some serious depth of character and gives the other honey flavored whiskeys out there a real run for their honey. Jack Honey no doubt gives mixologists and chefs something new to bring their portfolio of flavor.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Review

Proof: 70 Proof, 35% ABV

Distillery: Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg

Color: Straw.

Nose: Maple syrup

Taste: Sorghum on the palette complimented by nice cooperage, honey and vanilla. Detectable flavors of coffee and char. Not as cloying and sweet as some honey whiskey offerings.

Finish: Molasses.

Review by BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer and Stephen Dennison

Popularity: 9% [?]

Traveling back in time through flavor has never caused our time machine to graze blades of grass as we drink. But here we go… Zubrówka (pronounced “zu-broov-ka”), or bison grass vodka, was produced in the North East region of Poland as far back as the 14th Century, and was considered a specialty for the local residents of the majestic Białowieża Forest.

European Bison roam the forest, feeding off of this indigenous wild sweet grass, called Hierocholoe Odorata, found only in this area and in the ŻU Vodka.

The blade of bison grass in actually inside each bottle of ŻU to be decorative These blades are placed by hand to represent the heritage and craftsmanship surrounding it’s creation. These blades are also used to garnish several ŻU cocktails.

This vodka is excellent as a sipper or will also become a fan of mixologists to utilize the versatile mixability characteristics it exhibits.

Żubrówka Vodka Review (ŻU)

Proof: 80 Proof, 40% ABV

Distillery: Polmos Białystok, SA distillery

Color: Almost clear with very light chartreuse.

Nose: Nice alcohol prevalence. Clean grain and mild mint.

Taste: Spicey on the front end with a crisp and bright flavor. Creamy texture and flavor gives way to sweet, citrus and herbaceous tone. Not over the top with herbal and grassy notes, but enough to know its there to allow appreciation the grain of the vodka.

Finish: Finish is dry, grass lingers in a slightly bitter.

Review by BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer

Popularity: 7% [?]

At BourbonBlog.com, we venture into vodka and clear spirits to give our palettes a chance to explore the expression of clear and the clean grain vs. the expression of oak and depth. Spring44 is a perfect example of where the selection of water used in distilling spirits matters.

The Spring44 Vodka, Honey Vodka and Gin are produced with Colorado Rocky Mountain artesian water from a source at 9,044 ft. This has actually been empirically tested as some of the finest water on Earth.

It is no coincidence the name of spirits and the clean flavor both come from Spring44. While vodka and gin are typically made to be mixed, we believe that you’re truly enjoying the hand of the distiller if you drink initially these as sippers. From there, see if you really want to add what you typically would add.

The focus of the flavor in this collection is on the Spring44 water and cleanliness of these 5X distilled spirits. You’re not utilizing the brand characteristics if you over power these spirits.

The light characteristics are punctuated beautifully throughout both vodkas and the gin. Even the labeling on the bottles reflect images of tranquility and nature.

Spring44 Honey Vodka

Proof: 80 Proof, 40% ABV

Color: Very light straw

Nose: Light coconut, cocoa butter, alcohol prevalency which tickles the nose. Golden rod flower. The coconut could be attributed to the virgin coconut husk carbon filtration system used

Taste: Honey suckle, light touches of honey. It is not cloying some honey spirits. Instead, a smooth ride in the mouthfeel. Very light, a bit floral with touch of vanilla. Spring44 Honey Vodka has an alluring quality which strikes a balance between sweet, spice and light. It could be easily be

Finish: Wet, crisp and refreshing finish with lingering cotton candy.

Spring44 tells us that they have been inspired by our friends at Haagen Dazs and they are “committed to helping the struggling honey bee. We intend to raise awareness of this serious problem and support immediate solutions.”

Spring44 Vodka

Proof: 80 Proof, 40% ABV

Nose: Very faint, yet fresh with lightness of rainwater.

Flavor: Light grain characteristic. Smooth and soft on the mouthfeel. Rounded creaminess

Finish: A whispiness of soft water with hints of spice from the rye.

Spring44 Gin

Proof: 80 Proof, 40% ABV

Nose: Juniper, sage, rosemary with citrus undertones.

Taste: Enters light, mid palate gives way to a spicey cilantro with a soft bit. Notes of cinnamon.

Finish: Elements of Bergamont, jasmine brief and gently fades quickly with soft mouthfeel.

 

Popularity: 7% [?]

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Have you tasted some flavored vodkas from the sweet and cheap to the wickedly expensive only to be left wondering what the point was? Whether you like vodka or not, prepare for to ingenuity in a bottle of which most any foodie, spirits lover or cocktalian would find something appealing.

BourbonBlog.com first told you about the Saffron and Tarragon Vodkas by Sub Rosa Spirits of Oregon in our podcast with Distiller Mike Sherwood above which we invite you to stream. Sub Rosa infuses their vodkas with real herbs and spices, which you can visibly see delicately infused in the bottle. Thus, this is genuine flavor you can see and taste.

Below we are reviewing these innovative vodkas which are the first in their flavor ever produced while we’re also providing some inspiration for cocktails. The name ‘sub rosa’ comes from the Latin, literally “under the rose,” from the association of the rose with confidentiality. Thus, the latin theme is evident in the design and language used creatively on the bottles.

Both vodkas are uniquely delicious and stand as a testament to how American craft distilling is showing the mainstream offerings there is nothing like craft micro-distilleries. Learn where you can order them or enjoy them at fine establishments here.

 

Sub Rosa Saffron Vodka Review

Vodka: Sub Rosa Saffron Vodka,

Distillery: Sub Rosa Spirits, Dundee, Oregon

Proof: 90 Proof, 45% ABV

Color: Clear with extremely mild reddish/copper huge, delicate hints of saffron and spices visibly infused

Nose: Saffron is evident, cummin, hints of chile powder. Prevalence of spice goes into your nose and feels like you’re near a kitchen where spices are being cooked.

Taste: The entry is fairly bold with a pleasant balance of savory and mild sweetness.  This is unlike any spice ever experienced in a spirt because it doesn’t feel like someone used trickery and flavoring. We even got a bit creative in our “Bloody Eye” creation with vodka and hot sauce. Rather than full on rush of heat, this vodka comes on slowly and allows it open up like the flavors of a fine wine.

Saffron and cummin are there, and apparently a total of 8 spices are included in the infusion. A citrus element shines through mid palette, leaving that swallow with an “ahhh” sensation. Evokes a combination of Asian, Mexican and Indian influence delivering enough punch to awaken the, “What am I drinking here?” question while the answer becomes clear: Pour More.

Finish: Spice lingers on the tongue and then lifts off with a warming sensation.

 

Sub Rosa Tarragon Vodka Review

Vodka: Sub Rosa Tarragon Vodka

Distillery: Sub Rosa Spirits, Dundee, Oregon

Proof: 90 Proof, 45% ABV

Color: Clear with very mild lime to chartreuse greenish hue, delicate hints of tarragon and spices infused and visible.

Nose: Fresh botanicals,vibrant and mint-like with licorice candies.

Taste: Licorice, tarragon, anise, fennel. Becomes increasingly intense with a rush of “coolness” closer to the swallow. The cooling nature that goes down the throat is awakening to senses and the nose.

Finish: Cool, minty, crisp and vegetable like.

 

 

 

 

 

Saffron Vodka Cocktails:

Bollywood Hills
2 oz. Saffron vodka
1/2 oz. orgeat syrup
3/5 oz. lime juice
5 or 6 dashes of St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram (a barspoon)

Shaken in a mixing tin with crushed ice.  Strain through a fine strainer. Serve straight up in a martini glass.   Garnish with pickled mango slices or simply a lime peel.
Dosa restaurant – San Francisco, CA

Smokey Saffron cocktail
1 1/2 oz Sub Rosa Saffron vodka
1/2 oz high quality orange liqueur like Cointreau
1/2 oz lime juice
1/4 oz Lapsang souchong tea – simple syrup

Shake over ice and serve on the rocks in a salt and pepper-rimmed glass.

Lapsang souchong is the delicious Chinese black tea dried over burning pine wood. To make the syrup, simply brew hot Lapsang souchong and mix with an equal volume of sugar. Getting the balance of the smoke and the lime juice may take a few tries.

Kashmir
2 oz. Sub Rosa Saffron vodka
3 oz. Apricot nectar
3 grinds Black pepper
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup; ginger syrup or Domaine Canton ginger liqueur

Chill over ice, shake vigorously, serve up. Alternatively, build and serve on the rocks. We’ve also used a curry / sugar rim with this cocktail before.
Lance Mayhew – Beaker & Flask – Portland, Oregon

Bharat Mary
2 oz. Sub Rosa Saffron vodka
3 dashes Worcestershire
1 dash Peychauds bitters
3 dashes hot sauce (or more)
Tomato juice (to fill) [Lance specified tomato water or celery juice if you have time to make it]
Celery salt (to taste)

Make a ‘short’ Bloody Mary in a small Rocks or Old Fashion glass. Garnish with Indian pickled carrots and peppers. Minus the horseradish.
Adapted from Lance Mayhew – Beaker & Flask – Portland, Oregon

Tarragon Vodka Cocktails:

Miss Vicki
1 1/2 oz. Tarragon vodka
1 oz. Cointreau or other high quality orange liqueur
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 hearty pinch of fresh cilantro.
Soda water

Muddle cilantro and lemon juice in a shaker. Add ice, vodka and orange liqueur and shake vigorously.
Serve in a chilled Collins glass. Top off with soda water.

Tarragon “Martini”
1 1/2 Sub Rosa Tarragon vodka
1/2 oz. Limoncello
Lemon peel

Put ingredients, including lemon peel in shaker.  Shake and strain into martini glass.  Garnish with an additional long lemon peel.   If you have some lemon sorbet, a large melon ball scoop or small ice cream scoop floating in the middle is visually striking. Linda Lausmann – Sub Rosa

Tarkhun Cocktail (the Russian word for Tarragon)
2 oz. Sub Rosa Tarragon vodka
2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. 7up

Build over ice in an Old Fashion glass. Garnish with fresh tarragon if you have some. Lance Mayhew – 50 Plates – Portland, Oregon

Hot Summer Night [Tarragon Smash / Mojito]
1 1/2 oz Sub Rosa Tarragon Vodka
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Fresh mint leaves.
Fresh tarragon leaves
Squirt
Lemon twist and mint sprig garnish

Muddle a pinch of mint leaves with the lemon juice, simple syrup in bottom of rocks glass. Fill the glass with ice, pour in the vodka, and fill with Squirt. Garnish with a lemon peel twist and or a mint sprig. Mike Sherwood – Sub Rosa.

Popularity: 6% [?]