I was also a bit surprised about how sweet the Lillet was, especially since everyone seems to be bandying the name about as if it is THE only vermouth option of the season. It made a perfectly fine martini, but when I had it on ice I found it obnoxiously cloying. It kind of reminded me of all the characteristics that made me avoid white wine for the majority of my adult life (until I summoned up the courage to give it another try and discovered that there are some nice dry ones out there). I am hoping it will use itself up quickly so I can try a bottle of Dolin. In fact, that is my main complaint about vermouths, because they have a limited shelf life it is difficult to try them out since you aren’t going to have several open bottles lying around diminishing in quality. It is difficult to remember a drink you had while ago vs the drink currently in your hand. Perhaps when I get close to the bottom I will buy the Dolin so that I can do direct taste tests…
My most recent rum purchase was the Flor de Caña 7 year, $34.50 for 750 ml
It mixed nicely in drinks that were predominantly rum and not much else. I was originally meant to find a blackstrap rum for corn and oils, but none are available at the SAQ. There were lots of dark spiced rums but I was worried that they might conflict with the spices in my falernum, so I gave them the miss. I was very pleased with this bottle, and disappointed that it wasn’t there when I went back. I got the Ron Barcelo instead ($29.90) and will report back.
I also bought a bottle of Bulleit bourbon ($36.25) to infuse with figs to make “figgy boulevardiers”. It replaces one that my partner’s cousin gave us (4 roses) that I had heard good things about but was rather disappointed in. Although for something I found so disappointing,the bottle was gone in a flash. Half became fig infused bourbon (and was a smashing success), some became coffee-chocolate-pecan bitters and the rest is infusing itself with nutmeg on the counter as we speak.
