Sortilège Maple Cream Liqueur

Appearance: Murky, milky caramel-beige, resembling café au lait. Nose: Maple syrup, vanilla, crème caramel. Taste & Texture: Sweet caramel, cream, vanilla fudge, and maple syrup with a subtle whisky alcohol presence in the background. The mouthfeel is light and creamy, not heavy or rich, which is enjoyable. A mild hazelnut note is present in the finish. This is a successor to the company's initial “Whisky and Maple Syrup” liqueur, and in my view, it is significantly superior. The previous version was not a cream liqueur, possessed a very cloying, syrupy character, and was excessively sweet. While this is also sweet, the cream's fats balance the sugar content effectively, making it more palatable. It's not a complex liqueur, but it accomplishes its intended purpose admirably. Like all whisky-based cream liqueurs, it will inevitably be compared to Bailey’s Irish Cream, and it stands as a capable rival. My partner has grown quite fond of this, and I find it pleasant for an after-dinner drink myself. I'm uncertain if we like it enough to keep it regularly stocked, but it's a strong contender in this category, and I would purchase it again. “Above Average”: 81/100 (3 stars)