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 Orange Liqueur made from bitter oranges from Haiti and blended with cognac.This is in contrast to a number of other producers who use grain alcohol and artificial flavors to create something closer to a orange cough syrup than a liqueur.

First Impression: Wonderful full deep smell of bitter orange and some floral/perfume notes of orange blossom, with a whisper of cognac notes.

Appearance: Clear as a a lacquer good Baltic amber, burnished brass in appearance, looks like a puddle of the lightest grade of maple syrup. Amazing body. On swirling, leaves a oily even coat on the glass with few legs developing.

Taste: Wonderfully thick, orange and floral candy with a dryish slightly bitter finish.The cognac smooths out the orange very nicely.The sugar is there, but not cloying so like many others. A long pleasant finish with almost no alcohol presence just a mild warming. Good enough to drink on its own.

Drinks: We tried it in some of the usual drinks. Amazing what difference it can make in a drink. The margaritas were taken to a totally different level and all the rum drinks were so much better.

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 (Blue), Creme de Menthe, 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: Blows away the the cheap competitors. Worth the extra money – especially if you do the math (see Cocktail Math in recipes section)

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

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