By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food
A gentle introduction for drinkers new to the whiskey category, The Wild Geese Honey Liqueur is the first and only premium honey liqueur produced in Ireland. Created and designed by Protégé International Limited, The Wild Geese Irish Liqueur joins the likes of the world’s first super premium Irish whiskey collection, a rum collection, an Irish vodka and an Irish gin, amongst other products from the brand. And having been highly rated with a ‘Very Good Strong Recommendation’ at last year’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge, the drink is thus an ideal choice to elongate St. Patrick’s Day celebrations well into the weekend and to toast all things Irish.
Alike many ancient civilisations, in Ireland honey was once seen as not just a food, but a food for gods – with it’s sweetness associated with femininity and beauty, thus becoming simply irresistible. That’s why real pure honey from Tipperary and Kilkenny is combined with The Wild Geese Premium Irish Whiskey, alongside a number of other specially selected ingredients to compliment the whiskey base, for the secret recipe that’s heavily inspired by St. Gobnait – Irish patron saint of Beekeepers.
Bottled with an eye-catching bespoke bee seal, the spirit pours a clear gold/amber colour and has distinct aromas of honey (naturally), vanilla, Muscovado sugar, orange blossom and some subtle spices that continue into the taste. On the palate, what’s most notable is the almost syrupy sweetness a taste that’s less alcohol-laced than expected – making The Wild Geese’s Irish Honey Liqueur a particularly palatable, easy drinking liqueur. A slight touch of black pepper on the tongue, nonetheless, does combat a little of the sweetness, adding some balance and ultimately preventing the drink from becoming overly insipid. A long, sweet finish is also delivered, making the liqueur an ideal post-dinner digestif, or a marvellous dessert substitute in its own right.
As far as drinking The Wild Geese Irish Honey Liqueur is concerned, it works well both on its own or as an ingredient for various cocktail recipes. Alone, the drink is best served chilled, fresh from the fridge rather than with ice, or with as part of a simple combination of one-part Honey Liqueur to three-parts ginger ale also tastes great. ‘Life’s Nectar’ (recipe below) is another simple cocktail recipe that features the drink and works terrifically after dinner, combined with lemon juice and caramel syrup.
Ingredients
50ml The Wild Geese Irish Honey Liqueur
25ml lemon juice
10ml caramel syrup
To Garnish
Honeycomb
Method
Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
Double strain into a stemmed glass and garnish with a honeycomb (pictured above).
The Wild Geese Irish Honey Liqueur is available to purchase from www.irishpremiumspirits.com
