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Liqueur- St. Germain
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St. Germain
SAEGB, Dijon, France
Imported by Maison 6'eme Arr., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
PROOF: 40 (20%)
TYPE: Liqueur, Floral- Elderflower
AGE: N/A
PRICE: $32.00 750 ML
Note: Like all the liqueurs I review this was tasted at room temperature for maximum taste and detection of any faults if any in a product. If you chill benzene cold enough you could drink that too (NOT RECOMMENDED !), which is why I try them at room temperature - and probably why Jagermeister is chilled down so much.
This is liqueur is made from freshly picked wild elderflower blossoms that are combined with grape eau-de-vie and macerated in a secret process that extracts the maximum flavor without the usual bitterness that pressing the flowers can cause.
More concentrated in flavor than the above, with a strong fruity taste.
Used extensively as an aperitif or just a nice drink to have after (or before- depending) a hard day when mixed with wine or Champagne (see below).
Also is wonderful on the rocks or mixed with mineral water. Makes for a wonderful ingredient in a cocktail when seeking sweetness, and fruit or floral elements without resorting to a insipid liqueur in some unnatural fluorescent color.
First Impression: Heavy deep notes of flowers and berries, almost like the fig jam my landlady had in the Latin Quarter of Paris,with a sweet scent as thick as a fog. Hints of grapefruit with a mix of oriental fruits like lychees/ longans or rambutans.
Appearance: Beautiful light yellow gold color.Thick-bodied but pristine in appearance. On swirling, leaves a oily even coat on the glass with long legs developing.
Taste: Thick rich taste and mouthfeel like candy, spice and velvet but without the cloying stickiness of many lesser liqueurs on the market. Candied grapefruit slices with grenadine, pineapple notes- slight nip at the end and a lingering finish of oriental fruits.
Drinks:Still very much in development. Everything we tried (read most of the recipes on the hang tag) were marvelous.This is a new liqueur so there aren't a lot of drinks out there - which actually is a plus- you can create your own. Think of Cassis or Chambord but lighter and fruitier. Also check out my recipe section for the Stockholm Syndrome Martini - just substitute the St Germain for the Lingonberry Syrup and water.
Bottle: Tall fluted (almost faceted look to it) with a simple but elegant labels and graphics- beautiful belle époque. Heavy decanter base lends a nice balance. Each bottle is numbered to ensure quality. Gives your back bar that Paris bistro look. Beautiful packaging overall makes for a great gift to give or receive. Attractive and rétro at the same time - just the way I like them.
Other: Shelf life of 1-2 years but personally I would refrigerate it and/or use a gas preserver (such as the PEK preserver system)
Final Thoughts: One of the more interesting liqueurs I have come across in a while. Truly different and wonderful,great addition to a cocktailian's armamentarium, and worthy of some extended cocktail research.
Also good in cooking-sauces, glazes, or on ice cream. Try it in your mineral water for the for a adult alternative to soda (in Sweden this would be called Safft using lingonberry syrup).
Website: www.stgermain.fr
