Hofland Sloe Gin

Score: 7/23 Nose: Exceptionally sweet. Cherry, Hawaiian Punch, with an artificial and off-putting note similar to Veil Citron. Lacks complexity, but as a sweet component in a fruity beverage, it seems suitable. Palate: It's fruity, sweet, and slightly artificial. It has a cherry cough syrup quality to some extent. It's a bit more bitter and tart than the aroma indicated. That artificial citron flavor transitions somewhat into cranberries. I detect some more herbal, bitter notes, and perhaps a hint of pine that might be juniper, but predominantly it tastes like a cranberry herbal infusion. You know, that unpleasant tea bag concoction that turns nasty if steeped too long? This is a much better version of that. There are also some sweet raspberry notes and maybe a little cherry, but I struggle to identify anything else. Finish: The artificial taste persists and the tartness becomes more pronounced. I'm increasingly convinced it tastes like cranberry. Bitterness and sweetness are still present. The finish doesn't improve my assessment. Ultimately, it's not good. I don't believe I've encountered a raspberry liqueur – which this resembles – that's worse. However, it's nowhere near as bad as Southern Comfort. It's quite artificial and sweet, but significantly better than that. This is actively unpleasant, yet it's not harsh and certainly not among the worst few things I've tasted. I can't see giving it a rating higher than a 4, but I also can't see it going above an 8. I considered a 6 to be most fitting for a while, but now I'm leaning towards a 7. An 8 seems more possible than it did previously, but unlikely. That artificial flavor is quite poor. At least it doesn't completely destroy the palate.

Aroma - cherry cola or Kool-Aid, cough syrup, raspberry hard candy, mild ethanol burn. Taste - cloying cherry cough syrup, raspberry lollipop, grape juice, vanilla, nondescript herbal notes, finishing long with syrupy cherry Kool-Aid and cough syrup flavors. This smells and tastes like a mix of cherry Kool-Aid and cherry cough syrup. It’s very easy to drink, but has a chemical and cloying quality. I can't imagine ever wanting to drink this, either neat or in a mixed drink. I'm rinsing my mouth out with water now to get rid of the lingering, sickeningly sweet stickiness.

The preceding reviews don't inspire much confidence, but I never planned to sip this neat beyond this evaluation. Intensely sweet aroma, reminiscent of snow cone syrup, with notes of berries, plum, maraschino cherry, and a subtle herbal quality. Very sweet on the palate, featuring the mentioned fruits and a faint hint of gin. The texture is thick and syrupy. Definitely not intended for sipping straight, but I believe its flavor profile works well in cocktails, in moderation.

Wow! If I had to choose between this and cherry cough syrup in a blind taste test, I doubt I could tell them apart. It's candy-sweet with a potent medicinal flavor. It's acceptable when mixed with champagne or Prosecco to make a fizz or royale, but I'd prefer something more interesting like creme de cassis. I had intended to try this, but I won't be purchasing it again.

Awful neat. Might be acceptable in a mixed drink.