Lark Slàinte Whisky Liqueur

Appearance: Pale straw with golden highlights, resembling Sauternes in color. Aroma: Faint honey, citrus zest, a touch of licorice or anise, and a hint of ginger and clove. [The anise note is much more pronounced in the empty glass]. Flavor and Texture: A sweet, mild, nectar-like entry with fruity spices (orange, anise, cinnamon, clove). The texture is very light and delicate, feeling silken rather than syrupy. The finish is not lengthy but maintains a gentle sweetness and spice through to the aftertaste without being cloying. The sweetness is more akin to honeycomb or honeysuckle nectar than actual honey, and certainly not like simple sugar syrup or caramel. Lovely. Delightful. Charming. Many whisky liqueurs tend to imitate Drambuie to varying degrees, emphasizing a bold, intense honey and spice profile. In contrast, this liqueur is notably light and fresh. Its aromas are subtle and understated, yet not weak, and the palate is also light and elegant. In several ways, its appearance, aroma, and taste are similar to a dessert wine. The texture, in particular, is much closer to fortified or naturally full-bodied wine than most spirit liqueurs. It would be perfectly suitable to serve to your wine-appreciating guests after dinner as an alternative to a dessert Sauternes or noble Riesling. There's also an almost gin-like quality to the botanicals used. I don't believe there's any juniper, but in all other aspects, there's a resemblance. This character harmonizes exceptionally well with honey and whisky, making this an altogether delightful liqueur that surpasses nearly all Scottish and Irish whisky liqueurs. It's likely scarce outside of Australia, and even within the country, it's difficult to find. Highly recommended; at AUS$60 for a 350ml bottle, it's pricey, but absolutely worth the cost. "Very Good": 86/100 (4 stars)

This particular bottling is not my usual style, yet it's the kind of drink that brings a smile. It's a whiskey liqueur for dessert, based on their single malt that's been infused with botanicals. On the nose, it doesn't resemble whiskey at all; there's so much orange that you might mistake it for Cointreau. It reminds me of making cocktails while working at a bar. Prominent orange with a subtle whiskey undertone. The taste is incredibly sweet, very smooth, and exceptionally easy to drink. Orange, vanilla, and sugar come through immediately, with a licorice-like anise finish.