Smugglers Notch Cream Liquer

Smugglers Notch Cream Liquer is produced under the Esplanda label in Massachusetts. It is filed here with the wines, but the name describes a cream liqueur, which is a sweetened, dairy-based spirit drink and not a grape wine. No grape variety, vintage, ABV or official tasting notes were supplied for this bottle, so what follows describes how cream liqueurs usually behave. Check the label for the exact strength and flavoring. Expect a cream liqueur of this kind to be sweet, smooth and full in body, with little or no tannin and very low perceived acidity. The flavor usually leans toward vanilla, caramel, cocoa or a nutty note, and the finish is round and lingering. Because there is no oak-driven structure to speak of, the emphasis is on texture and sweetness. For serving, pour it chilled, either straight from the refrigerator or over ice in a short rocks glass. A small snifter or a stemmed liqueur glass suits a neat pour of an ounce or two. No decanting is needed. Cream liqueurs also work stirred into hot coffee, poured over vanilla ice cream, or shaken with ice into a dessert cocktail. Pair it with chocolate desserts, biscotti, pound cake or coffee-based sweets. This is a drink-now bottle, not one to cellar. Cream liqueurs are not made to age. Once opened, keep the bottle sealed in the refrigerator and follow the storage guidance printed on the label.