Desert Door Texas Sotol

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf

First time trying sotol. I found it an amazing,  smooth & clear spirit from Texas. Tastes a lot like tequila but it is not tequila 😀

Occasion- Casual over Dinner

SJ's Pro tip- Great as a gift, since the bottle looks like a piece of artwork

Alternates- Aha yeto Tequila

Cocktails- Desert door sangria

Feel(Afer drinking)- Amazed

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

What is sotol? 

According to their website, Sotol is both the name of the spirit and the plant it is made from. 

Reads the website description "We wild harvest our sotol on ranches across Texas, we don't farm or cultivate any of our sotol stock "

What is wild harvesting? 

Unlike farming, ingredients are collected from crown native land that hasn't been farmed and no trees are cut down in the process. 

Vital stats- Desert Door Texas Sotol(Spirit distilled from Sotol)

Price- $36.99 for 750ml($2.99 for pictured 50 ml sampler)

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 40%

Region/Country- TX,USA

Distillery- Desert door, Driftwood,TX

Awards won- None found but I give it a gold medal

Tasting info- 

Serving glass- Glencairn glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Clear

Aroma- Botanicals, fruity, juniper

Flavor- Sweet but not too much, fruity, spicy

Body- Full

Finish- Warm, lingering

This was an amazing find, I loved sampling it and hope you give it a shot. Cheers 🥃🥃. Enjoy Responsibly! 

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Old Forester 100 Proof

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf

Not quite the taste profile I was looking for yet still enjoyable. 

Occasion- Casual drinking with friends

SJ's Pro tip- Two cubes of ice mellows down the high ABV and makes it smooth

Alternates- Wild Turkey

Cocktails- Old Fashioned

Feel(After drinking)- Neutral 😐

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Old Forester Distillery has been around since 1870 and wiki says it is the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles. 

Old Forester 100 proof- The product label reads "This whisky is distilled by us only, and we are responsible for its richness and fine quality. Its elegant flavor is solely due to original fineness developed with care. There is nothing better in the market"

I disagree with the last part, there are much better and cheaper whiskies out there in the market like Old Turkey. 

Vital Stats- Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 100 Proof

Price- $22.99 for 750ml

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 50%

Region/Country- Kentucky,USA

Distillery-Old Forester Distilling Company, Louisville, KY

Awards won- Gold, 2019 International Spirits Challenge -Straight bourbon 10 years or younger category

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Whisky Tumbler

Serving style- On the rocks

Appearance- Dark Amber

Aroma-Oak, vanilla, fruits, cornbread

Flavor- Sweet, oak, vanilla, some bitterness, cinnamon spice

Body- Full

Finish- Warm, not so smooth, lingering

I really enjoyed reviewing this bad boi. Hope you will too. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 

Sho Chiku Bai Nigori

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel.

SJ's Rating-  Middle Shelf

Nigori is definitely an acquired taste. My taste buds did not like the taste of this milky nigori to put it in the top spot. It is a decent change of pace from drinking other types of spirits. 

Occasion- Casual, after dinner

SJ's Pro tip-  Don't forget to shake the bottle

Alternates- Jinro Soju

Food Pairing- Spicy korean bbq or as a after dinner dessert

Feel(After drinking)- Neutral, not highly satisfied

The second segment(Technical details that are mostly available on a google search)

Reads the product label "Nigrori is one of the oldest style sakes, which is coarsely filtered and milky white in color. Its full, pleasantly sweet and complex flavor and smooth texture guarantee you a uniquely delicious drinking experience."

I agree for the most part except that it claims for a delicious drinking experience. This depends on what a person likes and some may not like the texture and taste of nigori. 

Frequenly Asked Questions

1. What is sake? 

Sake is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese Origin made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove bran. 

2. What is nigori? 

Nigori means cloudy and refers to sake that still contains rice solids that have not fermented. 

Vital Stats- Sho Chiku Bai Nigori  Unfiltered Sake Silky Mild

Price-  $5.99 for 750ml

Age- No age statement

ABV- 15%

Country/Region- USA

Distillery- Takara sake USA Inc, Berkley, CA

Awards won- None found

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Wine glass

Serving style- Chilled

Appearance- Milky white

Aroma- Fermented rice

Flavor- Somewhat lactose sweet, rice

Body- Medium

Finish- Slightly lingering, warm 

I am happy I reviewed this one so you can make a sound decision on whether or not to buy one. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast

Sauza Conmemorativo Anejo Tequila

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf

Does not cut out to be on the top spot. Though enjoyable, it is more like a reposado than an anejo. The color, aroma and flavor would be better with more maturation in the barrels. 

Occasion- None

SJ's Pro tip- It is a budget anejo tequila

Alternates- Aha Yeto Anejo

Food Pairing- Chipotle chicken burrito bowl

Cocktail- Margarita of course 

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Conmemorativo means in  honor of. This tequila is made in honor of the founding of destiliria la preserverancia 1873 as per the bottle. 

The product label says "Sauza Conmemorativo Anejo is 100% agave tequila that's both versatile and mixable. It's wood notes creates a complex drinking experience attained only through its aging process in medium toasted American Oak casks"

Vital Stats- Sauza Conmemorativo Anejo Tequila

Price-  $14.99 for 750ml(Was on discount)

Age- NAS

ABV- 40%

Region/Country- Mexico

Distillery- Destiliria la preserverancia, Jalisco, Mexico

Awards won- None found

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Tumbler

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Very light golden, almost pale

Aroma- Vanilla, citrus, light spices

Flavor- Fruity, oak

Body- Medium

Finish- Smooth, warm, slightly lingering

I enjoyed sampling this tequila and hope you will too!. Cheers !! Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast