A Muddled Thought

We rarely take a look anything that ends with the word schnapps, however we recently received a bottle of Hiram Walker’s Original Cinn, all natural 90 proof cinnamon schnapps.

Out of curiosity we decided to give a try. For what it is a schnapps, something most people generally associate with overly sweet, it isn’t exactly what you expected. Yes it’s sweet, not too sweet, thanks to being bottled at the high proof. Original Cinn resembles what would happen if you turned those red hot cinnamon candies you enjoyed as a kid into something boozy. While tasting Original Cinn, we oddly picked up notes other than cinnamon such as hints of grapefruit and orange.

For what it is a high proof schnapps, it’s not a bad product, especially at the price of point of $11. Would we use it everyday behind the bar? Probably not. Could it be used to make some fun cocktails? Definitely.

Rating:8/10

Quarter and a Wink

2 oz Absolut Vanilla
1/2 oz Original Cinn
2 Dashes Peychaud Bitters
1 Dash Orange Flower Water
Eggwhite
Dry Shake with Eggwhite. Shake with ice.
Serve up. No Garnish

A hop over the bridge
1 ½ oz Old Overholt Rye
½ oz Original Cinn
2 Dashes Grapefruit Bitters
¼ oz Lemon Juice

Shake. Serve up. Garnish with lemon twist.

What happens if you take Famous Grouse, a blended whisky that’s made by combining whiskies such as Highland Park and Macallan and add an Islay component to the final blend? A spirit such as Black Grouse comes to life.

And comes to life it does, from that first aroma that hits you and is filled with the presence of apricots, pears, apples and cocoa it instantly grabs your attention even before you take that first sip.

Black Grouse begins with a soft feel in the mouth that’s filled touches of smoke caramelized seasalt, black pepper, coconut, vanilla, and orange cream that leads into a finish filled with brandied cherries and sweet milk chocolate and touches of cardamon basil.

As the experience of Black Grouse comes to an end it ends with it kisses your palate with touches of smoked cocoa.

Bird of Prey
1 3/4oz Black Grouse
¾ oz Bonded Applejack
½ oz Ramazzoti Amaro
½ oz Vanilla Syrup
Shake. Serve Up
No Garnish

The Bitter Cloud
2 oz Black Grouse
½ oz Allspice Dram
½ Cynar
2 Barspoons Agave Nectar
1 Dash The Bitter Truth Chocolate Bitters
Burnt Orange Zest

A Scotsman’s Tear
1 ½ oz Black Grouse
½ oz Leopold Brothers Cherry Tart
½ oz Laphroiag 10 Year
½ oz Pedro Ximenez Hidaldgo Sherry
2 Dashes The Bitter Truth Chocolate Bitters
Stir
Serve up
Burnt Orange Peel