Sheelin White Chocolate

Nose: Smells of milk, white chocolate, vanilla, and a hint of fine white wine. That specific grape essence is what captivates me about this. It's not unpleasant, just unexpected. The aroma is clean and invigorating. Palate: A creamy texture akin to white chocolate blended with milk - not unpleasantly, more like white chocolate milk. There's less vanilla here, and the white grape notes become more prominent, shifting from a white wine impression to more of a pure champagne grape character. It's actually quite a delightful palate, surprisingly. The alcohol might be somewhat detectable, but it lacks harsh bitterness or chemical notes, and there's no offensive artificial caramel flavor. Finish: Milk becomes even more the leading taste on the finish. Grape takes a secondary position, and the white chocolate recedes, perhaps apart from its oily sensation. I remain astonished by how much I enjoy this. While it doesn't deliver an authentic, rich, vanilla-forward white chocolate experience, it succeeds in offering a refreshing, milky profile with subtle hints of white chocolate and the elegance of white wine. The closest comparison I have available is Bailey's (which I acknowledge is entirely different). Bailey's is richer, with more grassy and creamy notes, but it also has a more pronounced young grain spirit character that is somewhat off-putting. If I were incorporating it into a mixed drink, I suspect the Bailey's flavor would hold up better (also, this Sheelin curdles in acid incredibly easily), but in terms of taste, I slightly favor the Sheelin for sipping neat because it lacks any jarring elements. I'm quite undecided between these two, but I might slightly prefer Sheelin, making it a 14 or 15. I'm leaning towards a 15 right now.

Nose: Sweet grape combined with a creaminess (like whole milk) that could be white chocolate, but it lacks the vanilla aroma I associate with actual white chocolate (since most real white chocolate contains vanilla). A strong presence of vodka. It's spicy, but in a harsh, somewhat artificial way. Palate: A bit of sweet grape flavor. Similar to a sweet brandy, but at a lower proof; not the dryness of most wines. So, perhaps like one of those unusual sweet (not dessert) red wines that are typically not good. There's a surprisingly significant amount of raw alcohol, which is actually quite harsh – not just spicy (though it is that too). And it just tastes a bit artificial. I'm really surprised by how much more artificial this tastes than I recalled. Oh, there's a pleasant sort of creamy milkiness to it. It doesn't have a genuine milk flavor, nor does it have a true white chocolate flavor. I kind of like it, but it's not amazing. Finish: That artificial vodka flavor really persists. It's unpleasant. Some of that creaminess remains as well. Conclusion: A quick side-by-side comparison with a specific chocolate liqueur shows that the chocolate liqueur is significantly superior to this. It has a smoother vodka and a somewhat nicer chocolate flavor. Compared directly with the chocolate liqueur and a specific French vodka, this is clearly not as good, but I'm rethinking my earlier assessment of the vodka's prominence. A score of 12 seems too high, but I don't think I'd go as low as a 9. Certainly not an 8. I'm going to give it a 10 because that artificial flavor is definitely present and I'm finding it increasingly bothersome.

At 15: While Bailey's looks appealing, this drink is distinctly white. I can't quite identify the alcohol base, but the milk flavor is prominent and strong. There's a hint of vanilla, typical of white chocolate, and the drink is very sweet, but it lacks the richness of genuine white chocolate, leading me to suspect it's a mislabeled imitation. It's also quite one-dimensional, but at $10, can I truly complain? That fruity grape flavor is actually quite pleasant. If you're seeking pure white chocolate, perhaps look elsewhere, but this is a nice flavor that stands on its own. It's not incredibly complex, but its notes are successful and it has a good balance of sweetness and alcohol (though it is definitely quite sweet). The finish is nice with white chocolate and grape juice complementing each other. Honestly, this is an impressively good drink.

An elegant, cream liqueur by R.A. Merry in Tipperary, Ireland, crafted with a grape wine base, cream, and natural flavors. It presents an aromatic beginning with hints of cream, grape wine, nuts, and chocolate; while a rich and full body introduces notes of white chocolate, cream, and coconut; leading to a silky finish of medium length with a touch of Grappa. October 2016 / December 2021

As expected.