Outside vodka recipes, there needs to be an essence thread sticky topic since lots of vodka and tons of cheap store vodka even, gets the carbon and essence treatment.

Please include Brand name, and only rate ones you have actualy tried yourself. Try to follow this format:

PRESTIGE BRAND:

Anejo Tequila(black label)-*****
This one was a hit with every tester. It was poured from patron bottle in another test, and two different patron drinkers failed to detect any difference. All testers commented on smoothness at 80 proof.

Absinthe Combo set-*****
What can you say. As close as your going to get to the real thing while inside the US or in any essence configuration.

Melon Vodka-****
This one was quite good tasting. The only drawback is the lack of drink recipies. Most refer to Melon Liquer, however we did come up with a palatable cocktail using cranberry, margarita mix, sugar, lemon juice, and a sinker of grenadine. Now I know that sounds 'not right' but it was actualy to my liking. Look for drinks that use both vodka and Melon liquor and your set.

Reg white tequila-**
A. Um uh,well.... If you drink white tequila, you will hate this. If you make margaritas the ladies will hate you. If you were in college and didn't know any better, it might fly till sophmore year. Two stars if you need a placeholder on your bar, or perhaps you are mixing cocktails where other flavors will smother..I mean cover it up.
B. Forum member KAB relates- To me one star at best.

Scotch Whiskey-*****
Test based on UK residents. Blind tasting from unmarked decanter. Both testers remarked on smoothness and flavor. One related the flavor is normaly heavier with more burn. Decanter was 1/2 full at start and empty on finish, so with none left behind, it is a five star hit. Even though the profile and notes may be slightly off, from a commercial scotch it was well enjoyed, and that earned the rating, perhaps out of turn, but a solid four if not five stars.



STILL SPIRITS BRAND:

Tequila (top shelf)-*****
Well kiddies, this is the white tequila essence you were looking for and the perfect compliment to the Prestige Anejo. This is their only tequila offering and is a Plata clone. I'm giving it 5 stars but if that is a little heavy it still get a solid 4.5 stars. The 50ml bottle flavors 3 of the 750ml bottles. I picked monarch so there would be lots of the perfect mix of heads and tails and burn. Two testers. Both tossed it back and grabbed for the cervesa. Both were pleased enough to go through several shots. Tested myself and found the aroma a little less than a good mexican tequila but the flavor came right through. Now the down side. It is a little cheaper but a massive pain in the arse to figure out a third of 50ml in a curvy tiny bottle without proper measuring equipment.



Please also comment on any others you have tried. I will include individual product ratings from the thread, under each listing to get a well rounded opinion, as above for white tequila.

Have to agree with you on the white Tequila. To me one star at best. I prefer a gold Tequila anyway. Waiting on the Black Lable Anejo. Hope it is as good as you say. Any brand it compares to???

White tequila update-still spirits coming soon.

"Brew, about the standard Prestige brand Tequila, I couldn't agree with you more. It has a funny floural smell and taste, I have not tryed the Black Lable
yet. The standard Scotch essence, I thought it tasted ok, but is a little to smooth and need a little more bite. But what can you expect from something you made Sunday and are drinking Monday :)

I also tryed the Dutch Genever, a Dutch friend of mine said, it is very close to the real thing.

The Hunter Snapps (Jaggermeister) is awsome! My wife loves it.
I can't tell the diff from it and the real thing.

Tryed the Stillsprits Cinnamon Schnaps, it is similar to ""FireBall"", a Canadian
cinnamon flavored whiskey. It is red in color where as the Fireball is whiskey
color, and its a little earthy flavored compared to the Fireball. All and all it is pretty good though."

"Being a spiced rum drinker -

prestige spiced rum - ***+
I made a mix of 190% vodka from still, brown sugar, molases, spices, Lime peel and orange peel and mixed it in at about 75ML, and it jumped to ****+ and is my personal stock spiced rum for the house now. Average proof of this seems to be best at about 85. I get more requests (can I have a bottle) on this than any other mix.

prestige Canadial Whisky - ****
Friends seem to love this one when I leave it at about 95 proof.

prestige dark rum - ****
ass-is. Leaving it at 80 proof

prestige bombay Gin - ****
must be at 97+ proof so it doesn't freeze :) I leave it at a nice even 100 proof. My brother the Gin snob loves it!


billybob"

you bet mtnwalker2 and good points! :)

Water and ethanol marry over night before I touch them. And the essence must be allowed to marry or it just does not taste right.


In my opinion to make the prestige spiced rum a 4 or 5 star....

In a mason jar I mix:
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup brown sugar (light)
sliver of medium orange peel (bout big as my thumb)
sliver of lime skin (again about as big as my thumb)
small pinch of nutmeg
very small pinch of cinnamon
2 cloves (1 if they are large)
2 tablespoons of molasses

add those to 2 cups (400ML) of raw undiluted spirits. Shake it up and let it sit for a good 24 - to 48 hours.

next:
Mix the prestige spiced rum as directed. 1 bottle/750ML at whatever proof you like. My house bottles are 1L and cork stopper. I mix in that 1L bottle and let it sit for 24 - 48 hours.

At this point both have been allowed to marry for 2 to 4 days individually.

After both have had time to marry, I add 50ML - 75ML of the spice/spirit to my prestige mix. Shake well and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour and taste. Add more spiced spirit if you want. Repeat adding the spiced spirit little by little letting it sit for 30 minutes each time uncorked, to taste.

Once you find your taste, you will be able to mix it up in a hurry from that point on.


notables:
You don't have to mix with raw undiluted spirits - you are after spices and not alcohol. So if you forget and dilute the raw spirit, use it that way. No harm done.

After the spiced spirit has married for 4 days (or so) remove the peels and cloves so the orange flavor does not get overwhelming.

Add/Remove/Dilute to taste with brown sugar and molasses when making the spiced spirit. Some people like a higher molasses flavor.

I make this 4 cups at a time and put it away - about doubling the above recipe and backing off on the brown sugar a tad bit.

Do not use a use a food grater on the orange and lime peel to make "zest" as it will be overwhelming with orange flavor. Simply add the peels.

I am a very impatient guy. By day 5 of sitting and marrying, I want to be drinking

There you have it - Prestige Spice Rum +Plus+

billybob

I didn't have any luck with the essence that i purchased, it was pretty much undrinkable. Haven't tried the black label tequila but might give it a try if others comment on it being good. I just wanted to mention I had good results with Monin ...just do a search and you can purchase online easily it's imported from France and they have 100's of flavors, I tried the caribbean rum and the organic rasberry and both were good and you get 25 ounces for like $6.00...just to throw it out there also found a good book on shine thats fairly new, it's called: Moonshine by: Matthew B. Rowley and he includes this site in his book several times, its well made book with nice pic and loads of info if you're into this subject...

Dean, I think you missed billybob by about three years. Oh well -- no harm no foul.

Actually, "billybob" works next desk over from me and doesn't even have this recipe written down... he hops on here every time he does another run.... lol I'm still trying to get him on here.