Bitters - Rhubarb
Fee Brothers
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Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters
Fee Brothers, Rochester, New York
PROOF: None (Water Base)
TYPE: Bitters
AGE: NA
PRICE: $4.50 4 oz (118 ml)
Notes: Fee Brothers has been in business since April 1,1864 in Rochester, New York (home of Spiritsreview.com!). Along with being one of the few remaining manufacturers of bitters, they also are one of the largest bar mixes and supply firms in the U.S. and produce flavorings and syrups for coffee shops, restaurants, etc. This is their newest release being officially released at Tales of The Cocktail 2011 in New Orleans
First Impression: Smells like a cross between rhubarb and those sour gummi lifesavers candies. Almost a more sour cherry candy smell than rhubarb. Scents of bitter zest of bark also in the background.
Appearance: Clear, yellow tinge, paradoxically viscous and oily at the same time.
Taste:
Medicinal with bitter rhubarb and plastic notes to it. Sour cherry candy and aspirin.
Drinks: We were fresh out of ideas for this one. Much like the Lemon Bitters, this bitter has no historical genealogy and is a new bitter. Therefore no one has really developed any drinks for it yet. More of a conceptual curiosity which is looking for a cocktail.
Bottle: Simple paper wrapped clear glass bottle, with a screwcap closure. It is distinguished from the other bottles by the Rhubarb (red) color of the printing and green colored shrinkwrap around the top and neck.
Other: Other varieties of bitters include: Aztec Chocolate, Cherry, Celery, Cranberry, Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint, Old Fashioned Aromatic (Angostura), (West Indian) Orange, Peach, Plum, Rhubarb, and the Whisky Barrel series : Whiskey Barrel Aged 1 (2007) , Whiskey Barrel Aged 2 (2008), Whiskey Barrel Aged 3 (2009), Whiskey Barrel Aged 4, (2010), and Whiskey Barrel Aged 5 (2011)
Final Thoughts:
I really don't get this one. I applaud Fees for their risk taking but frankly I find this one undrinkable and not something that sparks my creative imagination. I would like to be proved wrong but I don't see a lot of possibilities for it.
B.T.W. The term WONF on the label stands for With Other Natural Flavors
This product is the *only* rhubarb bitters commercially available in U.S.
Website: http://www.feebrothers.com
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