Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur

This is clearly a straightforward recipe: sweet cane spirit infused with dried chilies. Given the lack of comparable products, my evaluation reflects its quality within its category, and this particular offering is very well made. Sampling it neat isn't ideal but helps discern the details. A deep yellow-brown color. Medium thickness due to the sugar content. The aroma is subdued, with a slight metallic quality. Notes of beet sugar and sweetened cooked carrots are present. The palate delivers a wave of honey syrup with a distinct vegetal note that builds into an earthy, deeply roasted chili flavor and a mouth-filling spice that lingers throughout the finish. There's a pleasant tingle that doesn't become uncomfortable. It's a sweet experience, but thankfully not excessively so; the sugar doesn't dominate. It's unique and enjoyable on its own, but truly exceptional as a cocktail ingredient. I'm currently enjoying it in a bourbon old-fashioned, replacing most of the sugar. It's outstanding.

Very good flavor, though it falls short on aromas. It's an essential for modern Mexican cocktails. Delightfully spicy.

Smells of burnt sugar, roasted chilies, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and black cocktail cherry. It's sweet and a little spicy with flavors of chile peppers, raisins, dates, chocolate, baking spices, and jalapeño jelly. Delightful.

Charred peppers and that earthy sweet vegetable flavor and heat they produce. Mixes well to make a really spicy cocktail you can feel in the back of your throat. Forget chili flavored vodkas--this is the real deal. Enjoy the experiment!

Incredibly delicious. Roasted pepper on the nose, but honestly, I detect almost every type of pepper, so I'll be brief. On the palate, oh my, roasted pepper, chili chocolate, and the most wonderful spice from a friend.

This tastes like mole sauce in a bottle! It's spicy, chocolatey, and delicious. Enjoy it straight or mixed with tequila. It's fantastic.