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Review: Hiram Walker Whipped Cream Imitation Liqueur

Posted on November 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

70 Proof / 35% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $10 to $14 range depending on location

Tasting Notes

Color: Clear

Aroma: Like whipped cream cake frosting. Pillsbury cream cheese frosting to be specific. Artificial feel rather than real whipped cream or even Cool Whip. Sweetness. Fluff like jar marshmallow fluff. Cupcake like with too much vanilla. Bit of cream soda scent.

Tasted Neat: Extremely sweet. Burn on the tongue. Alcohol taste very prevalent. Some of the marshmallow fluff taste comes through, but is overwhelmed by the incredible burn and sweetened sharpness. Way too sweet.

Mouth Feel: Thin

Comparable Spirit: In a perfect word there wouldn’t be anything comparable in my opinion.

If you like whipped cream tasting cocktails there are ways to create the flavor from much less sweetened liqueurs. Vanilla vodka paired with cream or cream liqueur and lighter ordinary orange liqueurs can recreate a whipped cream flavor.

This bottle specifically says “Imitation Liqueur,” which has raised questions from some as to what “Imitation Liqueur” means. Many liqueurs have imitation or artificial flavoring, but what constitutes an imitation liqueur? The TTB answers this question in the following link under “Flavor Categorization.” It says:

“Flavors categorized as 3* or 4* are artificial for alcohol beverage labeling purposes. (Production with an artificial flavor, if permissible, may require labeling as an “Imitation” product or specific label disclosure of the use of an artificial flavor.)”

*3. Natural and artificial containing greater than 0.1% artificial topnote

*4. All artificial

More specific information is available in the link above for those who would like to read a thorough description of labeling guidelines.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails: Possibly a root beer float style long drink, but it’s so sweet it doesn’t seem good to pair with additional sweetened drinks. I’ll be honest and say this particular imitation liqueur was so sweet it gave me an instant sugar induced headache.

Review sample courtesy representatives of Hiram Walker

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Tagged Hiram Walker, Hiram Walker Whipped Cream Imitation Liqueur, Imitation Liqueur, TTB

Review: Hiram Walker Caramel Apple Liqueur

Posted on November 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

30 Proof / 15% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $10 to $14 range depending on location

Tasting Notes

Color: Light gold with pumpkin orange highlights

Aroma: Smells like a caramel apple; go figure. Apple notes – white flesh of Honey Crisp apple with faint tartness of Granny Smith apple. Caramel is light rather than overly honeyed. Reminds of silky smooth caramel found in center of gooey caramel covered chocolate candies.

Tasted Neat: Extremely sweet. Almost like straight flavored melted sugar. Lots of apple notes. No burn. Just sweetness of apple. No tart or zing. More honey overlaying the caramel inclusion.

Mouth Feel: Thin

Comparable Spirit: My first thought was Mother’s Apple Pie liqueur, but this isn’t exactly like that. Something close.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails: Definitely for mixing. Might be nice with whiskey and hot tea for a warmed winter drink. Caramel Apple cocktail martini style for sure. Pairs nicely with cranberry juice.

The Big Apple

2 ounces Bourbon or Whiskey

3/4 ounce Caramel Apple Liqueur

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

3 dashes Classic Bitters

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in mixing glass. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass or strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Review sample courtesy representatives of Hiram Walker