Spicebox Whisky Review

The world is full of purists that believe that a product should be left alone to stand on its own.  I am not one of these people.  I think there is always room for different tastes and options in the world of spirits.  A prime example of this is Canadian based Spicebox Whisky.

Who better to describe the product than the makers themselves:

So, we start with a top notch whisky, which happens to be a blend of whiskies aged in bourbon barrels, from 3 to 6 years. What gets us in the kisser is the great rye in our blend, which comes off as pepper and fruit.  But, here’s the interesting part. Through cold infusion, we extract the pure, beautiful flavors of spices and vanilla, which makes this good stuff smooth and inviting.  There’s a reason it’s been called one of the best tasting spirits on the market.

Our master blender tells us he’s used three different vanilla beans (from places I’ve only seen in an atlas) and his secret blend of spices* (see, he’s a really secretive kind of guy) to create this fine whisky.

I knew the moment I read that description that I was most likely going to like this.  I’m big on spices that go well with vanilla so adding those to whisky has to be good right?  Most times to get a strong vanilla flavor in a drink you need to use a spiced rum which is also adding a lot of sweetness.  The joy of this whisky is that you are getting a kick that will keep your drinks nestled in the middle somewhere between whiskey straight and a concoction you drink on the beach with a little umbrella in it.

Now I know the mere mention of whiskey is enough to turn many people off but that’s where Spicebox shines.  Once again I enjoyed this with my always willing to assist neighbor who happens to love a good whisky.  We both agreed that this is a great starter for anyone who is considering whisky but is scared to jump right in.  Whether as a starter or a nightcap, you can’t really go wrong with how smooth it drinks.

For my tastes, I’m going to dive into the many mixed drink combos possible with Spicebox.

SPICEBOX COLA

Over ice,
1.5 oz. – 2 oz. Spicebox (amount depending on the glass)
1 oz. – soda
Juice of 2 lime wedges

SPICEBOXER

2 oz Spicebox
.25 oz Averna Amaro
.75 oz Fresh lemon juice
.5 oz Maple syrup
.5 oz Egg white

In a mixing glass combine all ingredients. Perform dry shake (no ice) to emulsify egg white. Add ice and shake again to chill. Strain into large cocktail glass and garnish with freshly grated cinnamon.

SPICED PEACH SMASH

2 oz Spicebox
2 dashes of angostura bitters
Rinse of maple syrup
1 half canned peach
Allspice sugar

Smash peach, add bitters shake well, strained into allspice/sugared rim rocks glass that is rinsed with the maple syrup.

SPICED LEMONADE

2oz Spicebox spiced whisky
1/2oz simple syrup,
1/2oz lemon juice
3 oz fentimans victorian lemonade

In a cocktail mixing glass add 1oz spicebox spiced whisky. Add 1/2oz lemon juice and 1/2oz simple syrup. Fill glass with ice and shake and strain into pop glass. Fill with ice and top with Fentimans Victorian lemonade.

I have to add a congratulations to this review.  Spicebox recently held a recipe contest and the winner was Sunny Richardson from Village Grille in Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida.  I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time there and if you are looking for a martini, you will find none better.  Here is her winning entry, the Key Lime Spice by the Sea

Ingredients:

2 oz SpiceBox Whiskey

.5 oz Liquor 43

.5 oz White Godiva Chocolate Liquor

1 med Juicy Fresh Lime Dash

Whip Cream For Rim

Cinnamon & Honey Graham Cracker Crumbs combined Roses Lime Juice

Preparation Method:

Ice Martini Glass Fill Shaker 3/4 w/ice Combine Above Ingredients Shake to blend all flavors to perfect chill Dip Martini Glass in Roses Lime Juice to wet rim of glass then dip in Cinnamon & Regular Graham Cracker Crumbles

Serving Instructions:

Fill Martini Glass w/ Shaken Ingredients to rim allowing to touch the graham cracker crust. It will bellow to through the top of Drink looking beautiful. Add a beautiful green lime w/ a dash of whip to rim of glass.