Chambord Liqueur

Appearance: Dark brownish red. Rather like the colour of some Dalmore whiskies or some old bourbons. Aroma: Blackberries, raspberries. There's something a little synthetic and saccharine lurking in the darkness. Flavour and Texture: Less intense than I'd imagined - much less intense. Leathery cherry and red berry notes with some vanilla in the wings (the official Distiller tasting notes are precisely on target). Insanely easy to drink (well, it's only 16.5% alcohol - that barely registers on my alcohol-o-mometer). Sweet, vaguely herbal and sugary, but not sickly. You can use this in cocktails but frankly it's too mild to contribute much. If you need a berry flavour in a cocktail use a good cassis like Gabriel Boudier or a (real) Grenadine or cherry syrup. The best use for this is to keep it for those occasions when that mild-mannered relative visits who never normally drinks but wants to be polite and accept a liqueur when one is offered. Give him/her an ounce of this over crushed ice and wait for them to ask for seconds - they will. "Good" : 84/100 (3.75 stars)

A change of pace tonight while the wife wraps Christmas presents and I help by pouring her (and myself) a cordial and staying out of her way. Take raspberries and blueberries, press then together, add white sugar and place the juices in a leather pouch and you have the comprised aromas. Concentrated, sweetened fruit juice. Black cherries, blueberry port (like a local Long Island Duckwalk Vineyards Blueberry Port) with a dash of vanilla. A saccharine fruity finish with a touch of woody dryness. If you like berry fruits and you like sweet things, then Chambord is the perfect liqueur for you. Drink neat or over ice. Add some to Screwball whiskey for a PB&J. Enjoy this this Christmas or for anytime for after dinner treat. [Tasted: 12/16/19]

Good neat. Better used as a flavoring in cocktails.