Drambuie

Score: 10/23 I'd heard good things about Drambuie but was hesitant due to its Scotch base. Scotch is so broad, and given its cost, I worried the Scotch in Drambuie would be low quality. Today, I'll find out. Nose: Sweet, herbal, and subtly musty. It's quite similar to Chartreuse Green, with spices like cardamom and coriander balanced by mint. I don't love the aroma, but it's decent. Palate: Immediately, I detect sulfur alongside heat and sweetness. More herbs emerge as it develops, with licorice being particularly noticeable, though the sulfur fades somewhat. Finish: A strong bitterness with a slight numbing sensation. Faint herbal notes, including mint, are present, along with a lingering sulfuric note. Conclusion: This is a significant letdown. I was prepared for it to be less than stellar, but that sulfur really ruined it. It's especially disappointing because the nose hinted at Chartreuse Green and potential. Chartreuse Green is much bolder, focusing more on herbal flavors than sweetness (and without any sulfur). This might work in certain cocktails and could potentially substitute for Chartreuse Green in a pinch, but its profile is substantially flawed and it's certainly not enjoyable neat. Compared to Jagermeister, this is sweeter and more complex, likely with less artificial sugar. Being sweeter than Jagermeister, this might be too sweet. I'd prefer it over something like Vita Divine Hazelnut. I'm debating how much to deduct for the sulfur. It can be masked, but it's definitely present when sipped neat. I'm considering the 9 to 11 range for this. Here's the cocktail angle. The only known cocktail using this is the Rusty Nail (3:1 Scotch:Drambuie). The sulfur is noticeable when mixed with something like Pure Scot Virgin Oak (as is the sweetness), but it also adds some pleasant complexity with its herbal character. In a 4:1 Rusty Nail, Highland Park 12 is considerably more complex and balanced, though also more sulfuric. Even with that fairly effective use in a Rusty Nail, I find it doesn't work exceptionally well because I prefer comparing it to Scotch rather than cocktails, and it's easy to find a more complex Scotch. Mixed with any Scotch I'd actually drink, it doesn't improve it at best. Mixed with anything cheaper (which I don't currently have), it might improve it, but I highly doubt I'd enjoy the result. Given this, I'm sticking with the neat score of 10. Here's the cocktail angle. The only known cocktail using this is the Rusty Nail (3:1 Scotch:Drambuie). The sulfur is noticeable when mixed with something like Pure Scot Virgin Oak (as is the sweetness), but it also adds some pleasant complexity with its herbal character. In a 4:1 Rusty Nail, Highland Park 12 is considerably more complex and balanced, though also more sulfuric. Even with that fairly effective use in a Rusty Nail, I find it doesn't work exceptionally well because I prefer comparing it to Scotch rather than cocktails, and it's easy to find a more complex Scotch. Mixed with any Scotch I'd actually drink, it doesn't improve it at best. Mixed with anything cheaper (which I don't currently have), it might improve it, but I highly doubt I'd enjoy the result. Given this, I'm sticking with the neat score of 10. I did try it with some inexpensive Irish whiskey. I made some very strong versions of a Rusty Nail, but at best, the faint Drambuie added only slight improvement. Returning to Scotch, I experimented with a range and found that even the slightest amount of this added some complexity, though not necessarily improving the product. In one instance, I detected a bit of Clynelish waxiness, but this was drier and more herbal, so I don't think that's a fair comparison. Considering the small amounts needed, this is much more likely to be useful as an ingredient for home blending than for mixing. Naturally, I haven't yet found a Scotch-based cocktail I considered worthwhile, but I still don't care for this much, even in a cocktail. Thanks for the sample, a friend:)

Appearance: Clear yellow-gold. Aroma: A sweet, herbal-honey scent with a noticeable alcohol sting. Flavor and Texture: Rich and sugary-sweet upon entry, with a character akin to golden syrup. Honey is detected after the initial sugar rush, followed by herbal notes, including orange zest, menthol, and licorice. The texture is viscous, and the finish offers a comforting warmth. Drambuie can be polarizing. Some find it excessively sweet and intensely herbal, seeing it as an unnecessary enhancement to scotch whisky. Others consider it the ultimate liqueur – high alcohol content, bold flavor, whisky base, no dairy, etc. Personally, I find it tastes like medicine – very pleasant medicine. In fact, the best remedy I know for common cold symptoms is a hot toddy made with Drambuie. Combine a generous double measure in a tumbler, add juice from half a lemon, two aspirin tablets, and top with very hot water. Stir well and sip as it cools. For more potency, add more whisky or Drambuie. Then, go to bed and place a hat on the bedpost – keep drinking until you see double. It's far superior to any pharmacy medicine. Regarding drinking it for enjoyment, I have indulged, but one small measure is usually sufficient – it's not something I desire repeatedly, and a little goes a long way. Oh, and as for the Rusty Nail, it's an effective way to get intoxicated quickly, but most of the time, I prefer not to compromise good whisky (and the resulting hangover can be immense). The only exception is during cold weather camping – a flask of pre-mixed Rusty Nail is perfect for warding off the chill in a cold tent. "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

A cherished memory from my younger days. Fifty years have passed, so revisiting this spirit was a must. Poured one ounce into a Glencairn. Wow, it's sweet! There's a slight throat burn, hinting at some inexpensive scotch underneath. The sweetness strongly suggests honey; I believe it is. It's not bad, but this half bottle will last me a good while.

The aroma is aniseed and honey, followed by floral notes and bright citrus, with a subtle, hard-to-pinpoint gaminess. The flavor is impactful: honeysuckle (very honey-forward) with a malty base and some mint. This liqueur has substance, and its extra alcohol content is well-utilized. As expected from spirits from Skye, it pairs exceptionally well with Talisker for an ideal Rusty Nail.

I'll admit, I'm new to this. However, I absolutely adore Drambuie as a sipping spirit. It's incredibly smooth, perfect for chilly winter days to provide warmth. I love the honey flavor and the rich spices that conclude the experience. It's significantly sweeter than typical whiskey. To be candid, I'm uncertain of its classification – whiskey, scotch, or liqueur. I simply know I enjoy it and the feeling of being quintessentially Scottish while consuming it. Definitely worth a try.

Received at the Legend Riders Pub in Zagreb. Appearance is unclear golden to amber and quite viscous. The nose offers intense honey, herbs, herbal liqueur, some oak, and malt notes. It's moderately to intensely sweet, with honey being dominant, balanced by oak and whisky. The finish and aftertaste present an unusual blend of honey, herbs, and whisky. Not very easy to drink, with a medium to full-bodied, sticky texture.