Liqueur
 

Best Liqueur

 

The Fifty Best Liqueur Tasting 2024

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 14 liqueurs with 10 members of the spirits judging panel. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the liqueurs were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water and neutral, unsalted chips and crackers were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges were informed of the flavors but not the brands, and wrote down their impressions on score sheets. The scoring was based on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The distilleries, states, countries of origin and alcohol proofs are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Narano Bitter Orange Liqueur
(Casa D’Aristi, Yucatan, MX)  80° prf
100% locally sourced natural ingredients.

Aroma: Big orange, strong orange citrus, orange peel, orange pith, orange bitters, orange candy, fresh tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, light herb.

Palate: Orange, clementine, bitter orange, citrus peel, orange pith, melon, hint of pine, Cointreau with mint, rich, good overall.

Finish: Sweet orange, orange Starburst, bitter to perfection, good alcohol balance, a great cocktail ingredient, would make a great drink, pretty good, rich, flavorful.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Narano Bitter Orange Liqueur



Pennsylvania Dutch Lemon Cream Pie
Cream Liqueur

(Dairyland Distiller’s Co., PA)   25° prf

Aroma: Lemon, lemon bar, lemon twist, lemon curds, lemon pastry, vanilla, pound cake, Tasty Kakes, Graham cracker, pleasant.

Palate: Lemon, lemon bar, lemon pudding, lemon cake batter, vanilla, pastry, as described, good follow through, creamy, very nice.

Finish: Lemon, lemon cream pie, cake batter, light cream, sweet, consistent, fresh, nice, soft, creamy.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Pennsylvania Dutch Lemon Cream Pie Cream Liqueur



Du Nord Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur
(Du Nord Social Spirits, MN)  52° prf

Aroma: Fresh ground coffee, good roasted coffee, strong robust coffee, drip coffee, espresso, black coffee with sugar.

Palate: Coffee, espresso, dark roast, strong drip coffee, coffee bean, cold brew, cocoa, chocolate elements, subtle vanilla, tobacco, perfect bitterness, rich, creamy mouthfeel.

Finish: Burnt coffee, chocolate cake, sweet, clean, perfect to mix with vodka or rum, rich, robust, very nice, stellar.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Du Nord Craft Spirits Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur



The Roaster’s Daughter Espresso Martini
(Charles Jacquin et Cie., PA)  50° prf
Made with vodka, 100% Arabica cold brew coffee & bittersweet cacao.

Aroma: Rich coffee, light roast coffee, slightly burnt coffee, iced coffee, mocha, dark chocolate, cocoa, chicory, bark, cola note, orange pith.

Palate: Coffee with sugar & cream, bright coffee, Starbucks cold brew with espresso shot, chicory, dark chocolate, cocoa, Oreo, toffee, bitter orange, rich.

Finish: Chocolate, dark chocolate, toffee, cocoa, coffee, sweet, vodka note, interesting, big, easy, smooth, creamy, likable.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



The Roaster’s Daughter Espresso Martini



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Vicario Savage Cherry Liqueur
(Salute!, SC)  60° prf

Aroma: Ripe cherry, maraschino cherry, dark cherry, sour cherry, cherry cola, cinnamon stick, clove, wood, mulled wine.

Palate: Sweet cherry, Luxardo cherry, dried cherry, dark cherry, sour cherry, fruit cup, mint, fennel, cracked juniper berry, clove, cinnamon, alspice, bitters, mulled wine, vermouth, good balance.

Finish: Cherry, black cherry, orange, vanilla, herbal, cinnamon, tree bark, wood, mulled wine, sloe gin, use as a vermouth, clean, fresh, delicious.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Vicario Savage Cherry Liqueur



Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog
(Dairyland Distillers, Phila., PA)  29.5° prf
Made with rum, brandy, blended whiskey & real dairy creram.

Aroma: Custard, eggy, heavy cream, nog, wheat, cereal, cinnamon, like Christmas morning.

Palate: Rich nog, heavy cream, nutmeg, cinnamon, properly seasoned, good flavor & consistency, good alcohol amount, classic eggnog, yum, delicious.

Finish: Eggnog, grain, creamy, balanced, mix with vodka, add brandy, tastes like the holidays, just add nutmeg, spot on, great.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog



Badel 1862 Antique Pelinkovac Herbal Liqueur
(Croatia)  70° prf

Aroma: Anise, black licorice, amaro, root, herby, eucalyptus, mint, spearmint, balsam, pine, molasses, corn-based vodka.

Palate: Anise, fennel, licorice, horehound, eucalyptus, mint, spearmint, peppermint, bright green herbaceous, mountain top herbals, herbal runs throughout, root, root beer, leather, solid, well balanced.

Finish: Amaro, black licorice, earthy, tastes healthy, cozy on a cold day, definitely great for cocktails, mixes to great advantage with rum or vodka, use with bourbon, rich, well done.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Badel 1862 Antique Pelinkovac Herbal Liqueur



Vicario Mirto Liqueur
(Salute!, SC)  76° prf

Aroma: Bitter herbs, herbal, bitter orange, fresh cut grass, rosemary, marjoram, thyme, allspice, molasses, amaro.

Palate: Espresso, coffee, chocolate, myrtle, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea, wonderful mixture of herbs, clove, thyme, cardamom, vegetal, aloe, green chili, smoky, amaro, Fernet Branca, layers of hebal complexity, rich.

Finish: Dried citrus peel, honey, aloe, black tea, thyme, spicy, very interesting, clean, rich.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Vicario Mirto Liqueur



Eggo Brunch in a Jar Waffles & Syrup Cream Liqueur
Appalacian Sippin’ Cream

(Sugarlands Distilling Co., TN)  40° prf

Aroma: Maple syrup on crispy golden waffles, Aunt Jemima waffles, batter, butterscotch, vanilla, honey, toast.

Palate: Creamy maple with golden waffle crust, waffles and maple syrup, butterscotch, rum raisin ice cream, chocolate, sweet coffee, creamy.

Finish: Maple syrup, golden waffle crust, French toast, vanilla, coffee icing, chocolate, oak, rum, balanced, layered, would work great in a bourbon cocktail, mix with coffee liqueur, rich, very flavorful, fun.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Eggo Brunch in a Jar Waffles & Syrup Creram Liqueur Appalacian Sippin’ Cream



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Passoã The Passion Drink Liqueur
(The Netherlands)  40° prf
Made with real passion fruit.

Aroma: Passionfruit, peach, melon, lemon, grapefruit, fruit punch, Hawaiian Punch, Hi-C, Kool-Aid, gummy bear, flower notes, bright.

Palate: Passionfruit, strawberry, kiwi, melon, honey, Hawaiian Punch, Kool-Aid, palatable, good flavor.

Finish: Cherry, mango, Hawaiian Punch with a kick, Hi-C, tropical, sweet, rich.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Passoã The Passion Drink Liqueur



Pennsylvania Dutch Strawberries & Cream
Cream Liqueur

(Dairyland Distiller’s Co., PA)  25° prf
Made with real strawberries & fresh dairy cream.

Aroma: Bright strawberry, hint of fresh strawberries, strawberry ice cream, cherry, cake, sprinkles, creamy.

Palate: Strawberries & cream, strawberry milkshake, strawberry Twizzlers, rich, exciting.

Finish: Strawberry, cream, Strawberry Laffy Taffy, sweet, balanced, nice consistency, very creamy.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Pennsylvania Dutch Strawberries & Cream Cream Liqueur



Juliette Heirloom Peach Liqueur
(France)  36° prf

Aroma: Peach, canned peaches, peach popsicle, kiwi, mint.

Palate: Peach, canned peaches, peach syrup, gummy bear, honey, Juicy Fruit, mint, viscous, not overly sweet.

Finish: Peach, peach gummy, honey, moderate sweetness, good.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Juliette Heirloom Peach Liqueur



Pennsylvania Dutch Peaches & Cream
Cream Liqueur

(Dairyland Distiller’s Co., PA)  25° prf

Aroma: Peachy cream, peach popsicle, orange, Creamsicle, heavy cream.

Palate: Peachy, peaches & cream, melted ice cream, strawberry Quik, orange, very creamy, not too sweet, nice, very pleasant.

Finish: Lingering peach, peach to orange, creamy, nice, solid.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Pennsylvania Dutch Peaches & Cream Cream Liqueur



BRONZE MEDAL WINNER

Cazadores Café Coffee Liqueur
(Jalisco, Mexico)  66° prf

Aroma: Dark roast coffee, blond coffee, drip coffee, burnt coffee, freshly roasted coffee beans, brandy.

Palate: Sweetened instant coffee, bitter coffee, caramel, Graham cracker, nutty, cognac, very sweet, funky, very approachable.

Finish: Sweet coffee, burnt coffee, lingering sugar, nutty, menthol cigarette, earthy, could mix well with rum or vodka, nice.


Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Cazadores Café Coffee Liqueur

 

 


 

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