Note: Like all the spirits 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.

In business since 1755, Marie Brizard has a long tradition of excellence and a commitment to use NATURAL products in making its liqueurs-unlike many of the cheaper knock off liqueurs which use synthetic ingredients and chemicals.

This is a infusion of mint with alcohol- there are two basic varieties of this liqueur: a clear version, and a green colored version. Useful in some drinks and over ice cream. A much maligned liqueur, as there are innumerable bad knock offs that taste more like a mouthwash (or worse) than a liqueur.

First Impression: Heavy, icy, mint/menthol smell like a concentrated mint extract- not some chemical wannabe, seems to be some cinnamon and or ginger notes at the edges of perception.

Appearance: Clear, deep viridian green like a good 25-point-plus emerald, thick bodied. On swirling, leaves a oily even coat on the glass with few legs developing.

Taste: Thick, less aromatic than one would expect from the bouquet. Great candy-thick body unlike many others that are very thin. A longish finish with almost no alcohol presence, just a pleasant tingling from the mint.

Drinks: We tried it in some of the usual drinks. Infinitely better than most of the competition. Also at the risk of being a heretic if you need to make a Mint Julep and you can’t find mint you could press this into service although the color in this version might give it away.

Bottle: Signature Marie Brizard bottle- thin neck to flared shoulder to cylindrical body with slightly smaller base below belt line. Signature MB in script on top of cap.

Other: Maker of a large portfolio of other liqueurs, among them: Amaretto,Anisette, Apry, Banana, Cassis, Creme de Cacao (White), Creme de Cacao (Brown), Curacao, Curacao (Blue), Creme de Menthe (Green),Grand Orange, Raspberry, Strawberry, Triple Sec, and many others that are not imported into the U.S. (much to our loss).

Final Thoughts: Much better than any other creme de menthe we have had to date.Since you probably won’t use this stuff in great quantities ( a bottle or two will surivive most people) it’s probably a good idea to buy a good one – it can make a critical difference in a drink or over ice cream plus when you die your heirs will compliment you on your taste.

Website: http://www.mariebrizard.com orhttp://www.boissetamerica.com/products/BrandDetails.aspx?BrnId=7

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