- ABV: 44%, Style: Herbal Bitters
- Brewed in Rheinberg, DE
- Served: 20ml bottle poured into a Stolichnaya shot glass
- http://www.underberg.com
Underberg is a major reason for me liking these things. The straw paper wrapped 20ml indiviual serving bottle with waxed, embossed green label and tiny little bottle cap make it an amazingly compelling object for me, even before we’ve got anywhere near the liquid inside.
This bitters contains herbs from 43 countries and was first forumlated in 1846, according the the web site.
Looks: Clear, cola coloured liquid. Big legs on the side of the glass.
Aroma: Smells quite musty and spiced. Lots of cloves, noticable alcohol and maybe a little dark fruit, touch of mint.
Taste: Very bitter from the outset and it just get more bitter and more perfumed as the taste develops. Leaves you feeling like you’ve been chewing on cloves. It’s not really a sipping drink so the intensity of even this small amount is starting to numb my mouth as I try to drink it slowly. It’s reminiscient of absinthe too with some some annise and cinnamon in there as well.
Mouthfeel: Numbing, not that syrupy, but does encourage saliva. Is there chilli in this thing? It doesn’t feel hot.
Overall: Yeah, it’s pretty intense, but I do like it. There’s nothing in the flavour here that really makes me want to punch myself in the face so I think it’s better than most bitters in that regard. Definitely better than the Angostura. I will be drinking this again before the end of the year I’m sure. If only for the amazing packaging. 4/5
- 2nd January 2013, Sustainable Alcoholic
