Drank: Holiday Spiced Liqueur (Deco Distilling)

By BEN WATERHOUSE

Well, that about says it all, doesn't it? This new release from Portland's Deco Distilling is Christmas in a bottle: a very sweet, thick, rum-based liqueur with strong flavors of clove, cinnamon, allspice and mace, with a hint of orange peel. I imagine a crew of elves cramming clove-studded oranges, cinnamon-scented pine cones and eggnog in a tiny wine press to squeeze out this dark brown elixir. A fairly high alcohol content (60 proof) saves Deco's product from the syrupy quality of spice liqueurs like Goldschlager. It's pleasant on its own, chilled, but would also be quite good added to cider, coffee, eggnog or cocoa—or poured over ice cream, or in a hot toddy with lemon juice, or what have you. It's versatile stuff and, at $16 for 375 ml, quite cheap. Stocking stuffers for everybody! Recommended.

WWeek 2015

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