Catchable but not fetchable



I do like Liquor with a back story.. Vardy's have created just that, short but simple tale of moonshiners in Tennessee.. I'll not spoil the story, so you will have to Raise a jar and unlock the spirit

Coming in at a weighty 5.5% in a 375ml authentically styled mason jar, two flavours are currently available, with another two hot on their heels

First up is Strawberry and Basil.. Following the instructions of adding ice and shaking, we took a Sip and noted the sweet candy like strawberry taste. It's palate blasting at first until something else kicks in.. Basil struck me as a strange ingredient when I first picked this up, so much so that I almost put it back on the shelf.. Almost

The basil works, bringing balance to the otherwise sickly sweet candy like strawberry.. It is almost like gummy candy or a melted ice pop. That is until the alcohol brings you back to the edge of an acceptable cocktail

Perhaps the sunshine is an essential ingredient here, maybe trying it on a drab , wet July day didn't include the necessary ambience.. It is after all, easily drinkable.

As you get towards the bottom and the ice has served its purpose it begins to take on a watery taste.. Undettered we took it outside and supped it in the rain to see if it does in fact taste better in the summer air, but the. Perhaps everything does

The Apple Pie version is the same price and contains the same alcohol content as its partner in moonshine crime.

A genuine apple pie / alcohol taste. Easy to sip and smooth to drink. It is what it is.

The ice, once again, waters down the alcohol as expected. I can't help but think it would be better served chilled or even a short blast in the freezer to create a semi frozen cocktail in a jar

This one is sweet, but not as overpowering as the strawberry.

The second offering from Guinness and their recently released craft beer line. This is the younger brother of the Dublin Porter, being based (according to the label) on a Brewer Source recipe from 1801. At 6.0% ABV it is also the big hitter of the two, compared to its older siblings 3.8%. 

On the initial pour there is a slight head, carbonated and longer lasting than the Dublin Porter, but without the creamy thickness of Guinness. Identical in colour to the Dublin version, West Indies has much more of a scent on the nose, a toffee and chocolate infusion, according to the label. With a sense of smell not exactly matched with a wine expert, I could detect the deep rich hops and flavour.

The West Indies Porter has a much fuller stout flavour and although it matches it for fizz, there is much more body on the tongue and after taste. You can detect the higher alcohol content, especially after being drunk in quick succession with the porter. 

Of the two brews this is my preference, it has more taste and booze content, which will always make it a winner in this Bar. Guinness are possibly victims of their own success with these two offerings. In the days of hip and cool craft breweries, the lengthy history and worldwide profile of Arthur and the Dublin brewery inhibits these ales to an extent. With the backing of Diageo they may lose, albeit unfairly, some ground against the smaller innovative producers in the market, being viewed as the mass market, deep pocketed super power, trying to crash the party.

Admittedly, we are not much of an ale drinking establishment and craft brews wouldn't be our normal tipple, we do like this one though and credit it with encouraging a few more of this type of pint being seen more regularly in our booze soaked, gin joint