Bosch Edelbrand Exquisit Quince Brandy (40.0%): I remember the first time I noticed that I wasn't seeing fresh quinces in food stalls in US, even when they were supposed to be in season. It was probably my second or third spring after I permanently moved to here and when I started to ask around people were looking at me mostly baffled and clearly thinking: Why would you want to eat raw quince..? Eventually I figured out where to find them in every city I lived in but it always took some effort. It still does. Anyway, obviously I like raw quinces... I like the bitter, tart and woody taste, that unique mouth drying sensation and the breadlike texture. When I heard that a friend had a bottle of a quince brandy at home I was first in line asking for a sample and he generously sent me one right away... It is distilled and bottled by Bosch Edelbrand distillery in the small town of Lenningen in Baden-Wurttemberg, south of Germany. The distillery has a massive line-up of different brandies, eau de vies, liquors, whiskies, gins and whatnots. Visit their website to be awed... Enough talk, it is finally time to pour some into my glass...
Color: It is not a cask matured spirit so it is clear but you can observe some very thick, oily and slow legs around the glass. Almost like sort of an organic oil.
Nose: Incredibly perfumy and sweet... Bubblegum explosion..! Never in a million years I would expect a sweet nose like this. Gummi bears, sweet pear cider and skittles. Fennel seeds and fig jam. Hard to believe that what I have in the glass is not a liquor but a brandy. It noses oozing sweet...
Palate: Phew... It's not as syrupy sweet as I was afraid of but still on the sweeter side. Where are my tart and bitter quinces..? Bubblegums are the dominant note on the palate as well followed by candied orange peels, candied figs and bergamot jam. A little soapy and also a little floral: Potpourri baskets and artisanal soap bars. Miles away from what I was hoping for. Bummer...
Finish: Short with Seville orange slices and wet cardboard.
Overall: Yes, it is not even close to what I was expecting... It is a sweet and floral spirit loaded with tons of bubblegum and other candy store goodies. Not my cup of tea but people who are into sweet liquors might dig it. Many thanks to Florin for the sample...
Price: €60 (1 liter bottle)
Comments