Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind

I am incredibly impressed with this offering from Smirnoff. At first glance, it sounds ridiculous. How good can vodka mixed with tamarind really be? Brands already struggle to capture seemingly simpler flavors like peach or apple without making them a syrupy mess. But as I spoke with people, I kept hearing it was highly recommended, especially as a valuable component for unique but tasty creations, including chamoy-based cocktails. After discovering that the bottle displayed, with its bright red and glow-in-the-dark features, is a Limited Edition, I finally gave in and decided to buy it. And am I glad I did! The aroma delivers exactly what it claims to be. The scent primarily reminds me of the spicy tamarind snacks found in Mexican markets. It's tamarind with a slight spicy edge. At room temperature, the smell of ethanol is still noticeable in the background but isn't overpowering. There's also the faintest hint of citrus, which I assume comes from the lime flavor it supposedly has. Taste-wise, it's quite remarkable but a bit of a journey. Initially, it's very sweet, almost like sweetened tamarind water. But towards the end of the initial taste, a nice, surprisingly potent tartness begins to emerge. This sweet and sour dynamic defines the whole experience. The mid-palate highlights the added spicy chilies in this blend, providing a pleasant, mild burning sensation. The back of the palate is admittedly a bit unrefined as all these different elements don't come together as smoothly as I would like, with the lime perhaps adding a bit too much sourness in contrast to the diminishing sweetness. That said, the finish is a pleasant, mellow tamarind flavor that lingers for about a minute. There are undeniable rough edges to the product at room temperature. The flavors are potent, making sipping it just a bit challenging. It's not because it tastes bad, but because there's such a strong push and pull between the sweet and sour. I decided to add some ice to see if it would mellow out this mixture, especially since the bottle itself suggests serving it chilled. Indeed, this brought everything into a crisp, excellent balance. There's just the right amount of tartness, tamarind sweetness, and chili kick, although the lime flavor is hard to discern. But whether served on the rocks or neat, there's no alcohol burn nor a sensation of consuming processed syrup. Ultimately, I believe this is one of those flavors that truly excels at providing excellent and enjoyable mixing options. It's in its element enhancing your Bloody Mary or Screwdriver, can substitute for or add a spicy complement to a Margarita, or allow you to experiment with some unconventional ingredients at the bar like chamoy. I'm giving it a high rating because this can be an instance where a flavored bottle opens up interesting possibilities without feeling too niche or seasonal.

A really interesting flavor. I mostly got Jalapeño for spice. The tamarind was definitely present. Tasty. But it's still vodka.

Imagine Posadas meets a burger joint in the Midwest, mix it with Mellow Yellow and you'll understand what I mean.

Smells like floor cleaner with a kick of jalapeño rear end.

Sharp and exciting.

Spicy but tasty! The aftertaste also comes through strongly.