Spirits of French Lick Aquavit

Rating: 14/23 This is my second aquavit experience. I have a sense I've encountered positive commentary regarding this particular spirit. I certainly hope that's the case, as I possess a bottle this time. I anticipate a pronounced caraway character, hopefully in a pleasing manner. This spirit is colorless, suggesting it's one of the unaged varieties (my assumption). I appreciate caraway in rye bread, so the possibility of enjoying this is conceivable. Nose: A sharp, alcoholic note. It's reminiscent of rye bread in its entirety: both the enjoyable and less pleasant aspects. Following that, I detect a vegetal funkiness, and my assessment declines. Alcohol becomes more apparent, alongside increased salinity and minerality. The aroma becomes indistinct with a sulfuric undertone that I would prefer to be absent. Palate: Distinctly caraway. There's a sharpness, which is expected with caraway. The alcohol is somewhat obscured by the caraway, but I do perceive some standard flavors and sweetness from it. It is, however, clean. Subtle notes of coriander, chamomile, and/or vanilla are present, but not abundant. There's an unusual quality – vegetal, decaying, skunky, sulfuric, off. It's subtle, but it surfaces periodically, and I do notice it. It dissipates quickly enough that the remainder of the sip is agreeable, but this flaw is not missed. For the most part, my palate impressions are favorable, though they occasionally dip. It's regrettable that this strong edge exists. Apart from that, it's actually quite pleasant. Though not particularly engaging. Finish: Bitter, reminiscent of rye bread, persistent, with faint sweetness. It feels as though the finish is apologetic for having to mask the negative consequences of the imbalanced elements. It evokes a mob movie ambiance, oddly enough. - Conclusion - A very appealing essence is present, but it seems manipulated to present different profiles under various circumstances. It's akin to observing a puppet. Quite peculiar. I don't actively dislike this, but I won't be enthusiastically recommending it. I have numerous gins that easily surpass this spirit (for example, New Riff Kentucky Wild at 17/23). This is not a direct comparison of gin quality: it's an evaluation based on fundamental genre characteristics and absence of defects. The Botanist (16/23) lacks the crispness of this aquavit, but it is certainly more refined. I struggle to see how this could merit a score of 16 at this juncture. A 15 seems like the maximum plausible rating – which aligns with my assessment of Linie Aquavit (15/23). In direct comparison, the Linie exhibits greater maturity, with woody notes of vanillins and oak, along with enhanced smoothness. It's sweeter and better balanced. It's somewhat like comparing a tequila to a mezcal. In fact, I'm experiencing notable warmth here. This is more challenging to consume than the Linie, but its clarity might warrant a higher score. Nevertheless, I doubt I would drink this neat again unless absolutely necessary. That said, I suspect it would perform exceptionally well in certain cocktails. Considering the imbalance in Linie, even post-aging, I believe this will remain a commendable product, offering unique cocktail applications. I considered a 15, but I don't believe it achieves that level. Linie is a 15, and this spirit is considerably more demanding and requires refinement for optimal use. This might be a 14. It possesses bitterness and funk, yet it is distinctly itself. I'm leaning towards a 14 or a 15. It presents a significant challenge, but it unmistakably conveys the essence of aquavit, which I appreciate, much like a gin with a prominent juniper profile. Significant development: this spirit is outstanding in a martini with Rivata Dry Vermouth! Astonishing. I never anticipated this. Dry vermouth is notoriously difficult to pair, and I've seldom found a martini that surpassed a simple gin base. I genuinely enjoy this cocktail, but it doesn't influence my rating here as this is not intended as a mixer, and I adhere to my principles, I suppose.

A perfect example of Aquavit that will transport your senses to Scandinavia! Pumpernickel, Rye and Anise are the dominant flavors, with another unidentified note present. At 92 proof, it never feels harsh, and the elevated alcohol content provides body, power, and intensity to the finish!! An outstanding Aquavit from Indiana. Well done!! My rating was 97.