Southern Comfort Cherry Review

Liquor is becoming like the wild wild west. Everyone is looking for the next big thing, so we’re seeing some crazy flavored vodkas, new flavored bourbons, and Southern Comfort is upping their game next. In 2010 they introduced SoCo Lime into their lineup to show they too could adapt to the current trends and have since continued with the release of SoCo Fiery Pepper in fall 2011. It’s now 2012, and once again they’re back to work giving the people more of what they want. “Bold Black Cherry” is Southern Comforts latest release to hit the market and we’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on a bottle.

…..Often the choice of inexperienced youth at college campuses across the country, Southern Comfort was created by New Orleans bartender, Martin Wilkes Heron in 1874. After experimenting, Heron struck on the perfect combination creating a one-of-a-kind blend of whiskey, fruit, and spice flavors.  The original SoCo is often described as a peach liqueur and is used in among other drinks, the Alabama Slamma. Bold black cherry looks to continue their heritage as a leader in the flavored spirit category because after all they were one of the first BEFORE we started making vodkas that resembled our breakfast and and our dessert. So enough with the history, lets pop this one open.

Presentation: I have to admit, I was pretty impressed with the kit that SoCo Cherry came in and although I know it wont be for the general public to buy I thought I would at least acknowledge how cool a presentation it was. Packaged with a bottle of Coke Zero (because as they say, it is “Ridiculously good with coke zero”), this one came in a star shaped shipping box with a big and bold cherry on the cover. As far as the bottle goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. SoCo has it’s signature bottle and it works well. If you’ve seen any of their previous offering then this one wont surprise you.

Taste: Ok, time to crack this one open. I wish I could say it was off to a good start but the aroma here suffers the same fate as many cherry flavored spirits and thats the overwhelming scent of cough syrup (with a hint of whiskey). Not to knock cough syrup, the stuff is amazing when my eyes are puffy, my nose is stuffed with tissues, and it hurts to swallow, but when I’m perfectly healthy and looking to get sloshed, I’d rather not have it punching me in the face. Now for the first sip. In honor of my college days, I took the first sip straight from the bottle. (Don’t you miss college?). Just like I remember it, sweet, strong (70 proof), and with a bit of a bite on the end. Only now, it’s noticeably smoother and slightly sweeter than the original Southern Comfort thanks to the addition of Cherry flavor and subtle notes of vanilla. As far as mixing goes, this one works well with your usual suspects like sodas (makes a crazy good cherry coke) and fruit juices (try cranberry or pineapple). It could even be used as a base or substitute in a tiki style grog drink. All in all I like it’s mix-a-bility and as we play around with this one I’ll have some more recipe ideas for you all to try. In the mean time check out the ones below.

Price: 16.99 (750/ml)

Grade: B

Overall: Thanks to a lackluster SoCo Lime, and a Fiery Pepper I didn’t prefer to try, I had underwhelming hopes for this one. It exceeded all my expectations though. I was a fan of SoCo in college but like many, I abandoned it as I got older and thoughts of a fun yet rough spirit came to mind before trying this. It’s sweeter and smoother than the original and mixes great as a base spirit in cocktails. While I don’t recommend SoCo for sipping neat, this one actually works in the same manner that Jack Daniels Honey, American Honey, and other liqueurs do.

*Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry Recipes

Southern Comfort Cherry Squeeze

• 1 1/2 oz. Southern Comfort® Bold Black Cherry
• 1/2 oz. Orange juice
• 3 oz. Lemon-lime soda