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Posts Tagged ‘Bitters’

Bitter Review: Bittercube Jamaican No. 1 Bitters

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 17, 2021

After much delay, I have finally found the time to continue with my examinations of various Bitters which have made their way into my local market. Today I will look at Bittercube Jamaican No. 1 Bitters.

Nicholas Kosevich and Ira Koplowitz come from a hospitality background. Prior to forming Bittercube they bartended and managed at the Town Talk Diner (Nicholas) in Minneapolis and The Violet Hour (Ira) in Chicago. Nicholas and Ira began producing Bittercube Bitters in 2009. Their company (based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) started by making one gallon batches with real botanicals. Although the batch size is now 210 gallons the handmade process has stayed largely the same as they source botanicals as close to origin as possible to create densely flavored bitters. Bittercube Bitters became available commercially in July, 2010. Today the bitters are found in nearly 30 states and abroad in Canada, Italy and Australia.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Bittercube Jamaican No. 1 Bitters

“… I immediately noticed the heated cloves, ginger and black pepper. Pungent allspice is also at the front of the flavour with hints of cinnamon trailing a little behind. Citrus peel seems to be present, and after that the flavours seem to become indistinct …”

Please enjoy the review, and my cocktail suggestion, El Padre.

Chimo!

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Bitter(s) Review: Coster’s Prescription Burnt Citrus Bitters

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 9, 2019

Coster’s Prescription Burnt Citrus Bitters are produced by Mark Coster, a Toronto-based wine and spirits importer. I contacted Mark and learned that passion for making bitters began about a decade ago when he would make bitters as gifts for his friends in the spirits trade. According to Coster, he began with Burnt Orange Bitters which were they were apparently a big hit with those friends. His Burnt Orange Bitters would evolve into what is sold today as Coster’s Prescription Burnt Citrus Bitters as in addition to orange, Coster likes to use grapefruit and lemon in the mix as well.

Mark makes all his bitters by himself with no overarching parent company backing his brands. He bottles and labels the bitters by hand and is busy working on a website for his Prescription Bitters. Currently The Crafty Bartender is his chosen distribution outlet.

Here is a link to my latest Bitter Review:

Review: Coster’s Prescription Burnt Citrus Bitters

“… When I placed a drop of the bitters onto my tongue, I found I could taste both orange and orange peel zest, as well as hints of grapefruit and grapefruit zest. There is also a light underlying spiciness of cinnamon. (Bergamot and Tangerine both have orange-like flavours and are probably part of that orange citrus flavour profile as well.) …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a few cocktail suggestions.

Chimo!

 

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Bitter(s) Review: Bittercube Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 25, 2019

Nicholas Kosevich and Ira Koplowitz come from a hospitality background. Prior to forming Bittercube they bartended and managed at the Town Talk Diner (Nicholas) in Minneapolis and The Violet Hour (Ira) in Chicago. Nicholas and Ira began producing Bittercube Bitters in 2009. Their company (based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) started by making one gallon batches with real botanicals. Although the batch size is now 210 gallons the handmade process has stayed largely the same as they source botanicals as close to origin as possible to create densely flavored bitters. Bittercube Bitters became available commercially in July, 2010. Today the bitters are found in nearly 30 states and abroad in Canada, Italy and Australia.

According to the company website the Bittercube Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters are:

Woodsy and aromatic, these rustic bitters have a pleasant aroma of cocoa and bitter almonds, with flavors of vanilla, fennel and star anise.

Here is a link to my full review and cocktail suggestions:

Review: Bittercube Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters

“… When I put a few drops on my tongue to test the flavour for myself, I did indeed find the bitters ‘woodsy’ with a firm impression of woody tannins and tree bark. Bitter vanilla (taste some real vanilla extract and you will know the flavour) and bitter cocoa could both be tasted as was a light licorice like flavour (fennel) …”

Please enjoy my review and the serving suggestions which follow.

Chimo!

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Bitter Reviews: Fee Aztec Chocolate Bitters

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 18, 2019

According to their company website Fee Brothers has been a family business since 1864, and is currently now owned and operated by the fourth generation of the family to do so, Ellen and Joe Fee. The company currently produces about 100 different products including an impressive line-up of Cocktail Bitters,

Fee Aztec Chocolate bitters were inspired by the idea that Ancient Aztecs would celebrate with a bitter beverage made of cacao beans, peppers and spices. Fee Brothers recommends that you use a few dashes of Fee’s Aztec Chocolate Bitters to expand the flavor of your cocktails.

Here is a link to my review of the Aztec Chocolate Bitters:

Review: Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters

“… If you allow a drop to be added it to your mouth instead of the cocktail, you will find the flavour is indeed all about intense chocolate and this chocolate flavour is supported by a nice spicy bite of what appears to be cinnamon …”

Please enjoy the bitter(s) review and the cocktail which accompanies my thoughts.

Chimo!

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Bitter(s) Review: Bittermens Boston Bitters

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 8, 2019

Bittermens Boston Bittahs were formulated in the summer of 2008 from a combination of combination of citrus & chamomile. The formulation was originally called “Summer Bitters” but the name was changed to Boston Bittahs later that year as the new flavour combination celebrated both the return of summer and a return to Boston after 14 years.

According to the company website:

It’s citrus, citrus, citrus and more citrus, supported with a heavy dose of chamomile. We think it smells like summer. Try it in your favorite fizz, sour or bright tropical drink. It works extremely well with pisco and scotch as well.

Here is a link to my thoughts regarding Boston Bittahs:

Review: Bittermens Boston Bittahs

“… I was glad when I discovered that Bittermens recommended Boston Bittahs in fizz style drinks and citrus cocktails as this meshed with my observations. Tall Rye and Ginger-ale drinks, Tom Collins and Palomas, and shorter ‘Gimlet’ style cocktails all seem to work with Boston Bittahs …”

Please enjoy the review and my suggested cocktail (the Boston Patriot) at the conclusion.

Chimo!

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