Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

Rating: 17/23 What a strange closure. It's threaded, but turning it is more of an option than a necessity. However, it's easier to turn. It's unique, won't corrode, and I'm pleased with it. I had anticipated this would be red. Since I assumed coloring was added and couldn't see through the green glass to realize it's clear, I suppose. So, it's clear. Big deal. I thought this would just have a cloying cherry sweetness, rich and luxurious, but I don't really detect that. It's more akin to those candy canes with fruit flavoring. I notice some botanical notes initially, with a nondescript floral sweetness. Cherry emerges, but it's not the maraschino taste I expected. I truly don't perceive how this is meant to be maraschino cherry. I appreciate this flavor, in a sense, but with its distinct menthol note that borders on tasting like medicinal syrup, it seems like a risky component to use. I believe tiki cocktails are suitable for this, but not much else. And I wouldn't consume this by itself. What am I to do with this? Returning to this days later, I detect those cherry and menthol syrupy notes, but I'm also sensing strawberry and other sweet fruit flavors. I suspect the cherry might be more of a suggestion from the producer than an actual taste. It's still decadent and enjoyable, but it's not great on its own and it truly needs to be a sweet enhancer to make a fruity drink more luxurious. I suspect it's intended for tropical beverages. I combined this with some Rebel bourbon in a 6:1 ratio (I imagine you can deduce which was the 6) and it was harsh and didn't taste particularly good. So, I'm leaning towards tiki cocktails for this. This is quite difficult to rate. It can contribute a pleasant dimension to a tiki cocktail, but otherwise, it's challenging to incorporate. And it's still not a standout dimension. It's good, but not exceptional. Revisiting this and trying it in numerous cocktails, its presence ranges from overpowering to almost unnoticeable. There's nothing that truly makes me think this is a remarkable liqueur. How this received so many accolades, I may never comprehend. It has a somewhat artificial cherry taste that only balances with the most precise quantities of other ingredients. A bit too much of them, and this simply disappears. But this never excels as a superb ingredient either. It's simply flawed and difficult to find a place for. Even when exploring (slight variations on) recipes like the Last Word and the Aviation, this isn't impressing me very much. What is its purpose? I suppose it's good in some drinks, but it's consistently striving to prove its value, and it frequently fails. Alright, I considered giving this some credit for the Aviation (not at all for the Last Word though - that's far too restrained a drink for this - it needs significant fun to mask its restraint), but then this Hemingway Daiquiri truly stole the spotlight. Sure, I sampled this in a Martinez, but that was rather dull. The Hemingway truly showcased some sweetness that this could complement when I prepared it with Plantation Three Stars and light brown sugar syrup. Frankly, the Hemingway version of this is the best. I'm uncertain if there's much connection to Hemingway here, but I appreciate the flavors, boldness, sweetness, and complexity involved. Perhaps this excels in the Hemingway version, or perhaps it just conceals itself. It's difficult to say for sure, but I'm still somewhat fond of this. The most favorable experience I had with this was in the Hemingway version, but even there, it was lost among the various mixed components. Honestly, that brown sugar sweetness makes the Hemingway version unequivocally the best. It's decadent and complex without being dull. Uh, and that seems like a bit of... nonsense... Oh wow, this was a significant misstep. Okay, it's been weeks, but I've finally discovered the application for this. Combine some bitters with bourbon for added depth, then add this for sweetness with a touch of cherry that integrates nicely, apart from the flat quality of the alcohol with it. It's still not an outstanding liqueur, but it's acceptable. In contrast, Grand Marnier produces a less sweet and full cocktail, with more spice. Combined with bitters, this is the clear victor, especially when paired with orange bitters. It's hard to assign this a rating. I'm thinking a 16 or 17, leaning towards a 17. I believe it has its specific use, but it's difficult to employ. I'm settling on a 17, but it's definitely not an 18.

Experimenting with liqueurs for a barrel-aged Manhattan variation, I came across a recipe mentioning Luxardo maraschino's 'powerful flavor.' Intrigued, as I hadn't perceived it as such before, I decided to taste it neat from a small snifter... The aroma is reminiscent of dried cherry pits, with minimal actual cherry fruit scent. Instead, a robust, bitter woody character is enveloped in a sweet, fleeting mist. It doesn't seem particularly strong, and I wouldn't anticipate a significant impact in a cocktail based on its aroma. The taste is sweet, with some cherry, but more pronounced is the fresh, bitter seed and wood. A subtle nuttiness is present, along with a pleasant lingering sweetness, though it's not exactly a 'powerful' flavor. However, I can see how it integrates into a mixed drink, lending a mid-range richness and some lower-midrange depth. More cherry emerges in the finish, but it remains understated and natural, lacking any sharp brightness. It's smooth, sweet, complex, and satisfying. I even detect the faintest trace of menthol or camphor, but it vanishes quickly. This expression might be passable on its own when served in a small measure or on ice as a digestif or with dessert. It pairs well with soda and gin or vodka for a long drink. For my intended use, it proves a valuable addition to a Manhattan, essentially transforming it into a Red Hook. Recommended as a staple for any well-stocked bar and a good companion for various whisky and gin experiments.

Appearance: Perfectly clear transparency. Aroma: A woody, almost herbal scent that is distinctly cherry but not overwhelmingly sweet or particularly fruity. As described on this site, it resembles a fruit eau-de-vie more than a liqueur. Flavor and Texture: The texture is thick, sweet, and glycerous. The flavor is unmistakably cherry, but like the aroma, it's not fruity or candy-like; instead, it possesses a woody, nutty quality. You can definitely taste the cherry pits. This is like a fusion of cherry fruit, cherry pits, and cherrywood (which is exactly what it's made from), plus cotton candy. It's very sweet, concentrated, and intended for use as an ingredient. Not to the same extent as Angostura bitters, which is an ingredient rather than a standalone drink, but it's somewhat similar. You can enjoy it neat, preferably chilled, as a digestif, but while it's enjoyable, that's clearly not its primary purpose (then again, Mrs just sampled some from my tasting glass and declared it delicious, so why not?). It is an absolutely essential component of any cocktail collection, and you simply cannot prepare certain classic drinks without it; there is no suitable substitute. Without it, drinks like the Last Word, Hemingway Daiquiri, or Aviation just don't work. Liqueurs like this are challenging to rate, as they are quite unique, but their quality is undeniable. “Excellent”: 88/100 (4.5 stars)

Absolutely superb spirit! Intense aromas of marzipan, cinnamon, and a musty funk with tart cherries, anise, and vibrant floral notes completing the bouquet. One could spend a significant amount of time analyzing the nose as it gradually evolves in the glass. Remarkable. The flavor profile is substantial and unapologetic. It holds nothing back but is so refined and completely Artisanal-Italian. Sweet, almond-like tart cherry pits with fruit fragments still attached, buckwheat honey...almost a Jamaican rum-style funk and earthiness, pepper, and marzipan... SO MUCH MARZIPAN!! A slight tartness/bitterness with fruity, floral, and herbal nuances - shifting and deepening the complexity of the finish...while the persistent sweetness on the lips, allows the wallop of flavors to extend and extend and extend... INTENSE, UNIQUE & REFINED. I will need to revisit this review as I taste this more over the coming months. $28/750 ml and worth every cent. A score of 95-96 for me. The Luxardo family's history is also an amazing tale of perseverance.

Although the nose is an intense cherry bomb, presenting as both sweet hard candy and tart juice, the palate is more intricate than one would expect. It begins with floral notes: violet, honeysuckle, and a touch of mint. Following this, a subtle hint of alcohol emerges, introducing what can only be described as sugar water, with a sweetness level that would shock even the most avid hummingbird. The mid-palate continues to evolve with a whisper of rose, then concludes with saccharine cherry candy, and ultimately, maraschino cherry. This is far too sweet for regular consumption on any given day, and despite its subtle floral intricacies, it should primarily be mixed with substantial amounts of gin (at least). I also enjoy adding a dash to bourbon and pairing it with dark chocolate.

I waited months to buy this despite seeing it listed as an ingredient in countless cocktails because, based on some online opinions, I was concerned it would dominate my drinks and I'd dislike the flavor. I anticipated a somewhat medicinal, cough syrup taste, but that was completely mistaken. This is sweet, similar to Green Chartreuse, bright, and has hints of something like cinnamon. In a cocktail (The Symphony) it provided a pleasing roundness. The recipe called for a considerable amount of Luxardo, and I didn't find it overpowering at all. Definitely recommend keeping a bottle handy.