For those of you who may have read my feature on Linie, you’ll know that I have only really been introduced to the category of aquavit in the last 12 months. It’s a surprise then for me to realise that I’ve been missing out on something rather special, and I am excited to experience their latest creation in Lysholm No.52, the first aquavit that’s ‘perfect for cocktails’.
Lets take a look.
Usually, aquavit is served neat and as an accompaniment with food, but Lysholm No.52 takes the ever-growing use of aquavit within cocktails (as seen at the annual Linie Aquavit Awards) and offers to us a base that involves 11 different botanicals, including Norwegian caraway, star anise, coriander, bitter orange peels and ginger.
Created by Master Distiller Ivan Abrahamsen, the name comes from both the founder of Lysholm aquavit, Jørgen B Lysholm, as well as being the 52nd recipe chosen when the original trials were set.
But how does it fare? Well below, I give to you my tasting notes –
Lysholm No.52 – 40%
Fresh caraway and orange peel upon the nose, with swirls of the star anise, followed by fresh mint and thyme. Light on the palate, but a slow growth of ginger, caraway and lavender come through. Very fresh, plenty of warmth which offers a lingering mouth-feel.
A superb flavour sensation when drinking neat, although I can see it working well within one of these –
Tonic No.52
Glass –
Rocks
Ingredients –
25 ml Lysholm No.52
50 ml Double Dutch Tonic Water
Method –
Combine the ingredients over an ice filled rocks glass and serve with a slice of lemon and cucumber.
Lysholm No.52 lives up to its hype, and with its flavour driven profile, it works perfectly for the cocktail scene. With summer coming, it’s a great alternative to your normal refreshing serves!
© David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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