Lillet Blanc

Appearance: Bright straw-gold Aroma: Sweet white grape juice, peach, apricot, orange blossom water and honey. Flavor and Texture: Sweet, crisp vibrant entry. Lime marmalade, honey and ripe apricots. There are some light citrus notes and a very faint hint of resin, but it's barely noticed. The texture is silky, but also crisp. The nose is very reminiscent of moscato, white muscat or a noble riesling and the palate follows suit. The only way this diverges from a sweet dessert wine is the hint of bitterness in the background and a more lightly textured body. The bitter notes are from citrus and cinchona bark extract (but the quinine component was greatly reduced 1986). The older, more bitter product that predated this was called Kina Lillet, and if you want to get an idea of what it tasted like grab a bottle of Cocchi Americano Aperitivo, which is quite similar. Lillet is excellent neat over ice as a refreshing aperitif and also delightful as a spritz or long drink. Lillet and tonic is a great two-ingredient drink but it seems to be something of a secret - it's a fabulous alternative to a gin & tonic when you feel like less alcohol. Try experimenting with a dash of amaro or bitters and a variety of garnishes as well. If you want to beef it up try adding a little cognac. It appears in many old-school cocktails but remember these were originally created with the older Kina Lillet as the ingredient, so contemporary Lillet may result in an unbalanced level of sweetness. If you do get this impression I'd recommend a drop or two of grapefruit bitters to restore the balance. A refined but light-hearted classic that should be in every bar. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars)

Lillet Blanc, originally named Kina Lillet, has undergone changes over time. I never had the chance to try the original Kina Lillet, which was apparently much more bitter and akin to the taste of Cocchi Americano Bianco. However, this current version is certainly very drinkable, though somewhat uninspired. The nose is quite floral with some citrus notes. On the palate, I detect lemon peel and sweetness, which is a bit too sweet for my liking. The finish has only a slight hint of bitterness; it's very smooth but not particularly exciting and rather short. I'd say the most notable quality of Lillet Blanc is its inoffensiveness. Unfortunately, it lacks the complexity and excitement of Cocchi Americano Bianco. It's likely best used in cocktails, though enjoying it on the rocks with a lemon peel isn't a bad alternative. I'm curious about the original Kina Lillet's flavor profile, as this version seems quite subdued.

I finally got to try this solid beverage. I've already reviewed Cocchi Americano, a wine that sets my standard for Vermouths. While Lillet Blanc is quite good, it lacks the flavor depth of Cocchi. This has a pleasant color and a wonderful aroma with some fruitiness and a sharp scent. The body is good but thin compared to Cocchi. This beverage is sweeter and less bitter than Cocchi, but it pairs much better with soda water since Cocchi's bitterness came forward more. This wine is adaptable and very stable. My bottle is still good after just over 4 weeks. In a Vesper Martini, it makes the drink sweeter than I like and while not bad, it's not as good as Cocchi. Overall, this is very good, easy to find, and typically priced around $20. Enjoy.

12.31.21 Served: On the rocks Bottle Opened: Unknown (at a bar) Aroma: Grape juice, pear. Flavor: Resembles a dry moscato with a touch of pear. Slightly more acidic than Carpano Bianco. All notes from aromatization are lost, possibly due to being served chilled (my error) or improper storage (the bottle was on a speed-pourer rail but might have been kept chilled and sealed overnight without my knowledge).

Sweet white wine, muscato, and light honey, floral, and orange peel with bitter quinine in the background. Light clean flavors, leaning more towards sweet than bitter (similar to Cocchi Americano, which is a comparable fortified wine). Essential for classic cocktails like the Corpse Reviver #2, or as an aperitif served neat (chilled) or with a small amount of ice.

Reminiscent of ice wine. Sweet, thick with flavors you'd expect from Sauvignon Blanc. The producer's notes appear accurate. Mixed 1:1 with club soda, it becomes brighter and the citrus comes through more. I can see mixing it with tonic as well if you desire more complexity and the quinine bite - which isn't really present on its own.