Booze Reviews: J. Witty Spirits – Chamomile Liqueur
Your first response upon hearing the words "Chamomile Liqueur" is probably a lot like mine, namely: "So THAT'S why grandma was always so much fun after her evening tea." No? Not really? Well maybe I just had a more interesting childhood than you did. Or maybe you need to take a second look at the forbidden pleasures of chamomile contained within J.Witty Spirits' Organic Chamomile Liqueur.
Show em' how it's done, Nana.
If I was going to attempt to make a liqueur of my own at home I think it would taste a lot like this. Something you don't know about me is that from time to time I really enjoy a nice smoke. But not just any smoke, it's got to be a clove cigarette (a vice I picked up in college.) That was the first thing that came to mind with my first taste of J. Witty's Chamomile liqueur. Somehow these flavors just make me feel at home. Not just in the strange drinking-with-grandma-way. It's the fact that my mother used to fill our home with these smells around holidays. All of these things have given me a strong affinity for any kind of spiced spirit and this one really hit the spot.
Maybe the best thing I can say is it doesn't taste like sugared-up-tea and vodka. This is not a boutique version of the now ubiquitous sweet tea vodka; this is an entirely new liqueur that combines chamomile flowers with herbs, spices, agave nectar and cane juice. From start to finish it's made in small batches with entirely organic ingredients. If I had the time (or could steal the recipe) this is exactly what I'd be making in my bathtub right now.
WE'RE GONNA BE RICH I TELL YA!
So, yeah, I like this one quite a bit. It's great by itself and it stands up well in a cocktail. My personal favorite was the Cherry Blossom which combines J.Witty, Gold Rum, Cherry Heering and Peychaud's bitters. It can be found among the 30-or-so original recipes on their website. The only bad thing about J.Witty is that since it's a small company their products aren't yet available on too many shelves (unless you're in California or Oregon). Luckily you can purchase it online and if you own a liquor shop or have the ear of someone who does, it's available for shipping to most states. Give it a shot if you get a chance. I don't think you'll be dissapointed...and if you are get ahold of me. I'll be happy to dispose of it for you.
Our Grade: ***** (Highest Recommendation) Price: $24 www.jwittyspirits.com
