15 replies to this topic

[cdh]

Since vermouth and Lillet have gotten their own threads, I thought it time to branch out in an even more obscure direction. Anybody else here have a taste for Byrrh? This is a french aperitif, probably a separate species in the vermouth genus, that has quite turned me on recently. The flavor is a lot like a port that has been dosed with a bit of quinine for a mild bitterness. There is definitely some wood in there, a nice acid structure, albeit a little sweet, and it is quite a pleasant combination.

I'm on my last bottle of it at the moment, as the PA liquor monopoly stopped stocking it a year or two ago... Will miss it when it is gone.

[DrinkBoy]

Is there -anywhere- in the US where you can get Byrrh? I've never seen it on any of the internet spirits stores, and we haven't carried it here in WA state for -years-. I've got a single old bottle of it that I picked up a long time ago, and haven't had the heart to crack the lid yet.

-Robert

[cdh]

I've seen something Byrrh branded for sale at Astor Wines and spirits in NYC... about $20 (twenty... hope the numerals don't turn into thai letters like they seem to 'round here when following a $), which is about twice what PA was asking or it when I picked up my last bottles of it. The bottle at Astor looks sharp and newly redesigned. Not sure if it the same stuff or not, as I've not looked for the stuff until I noticed how low my present bottle is.

Problem finding it may be one of categorization. How in the world do you categorize this stuff? I'd bet that Cinzano and Martini&Rossi would throw a fit if wacky stuff like this were filed as vermouths... it is an orphan product in a category all its own. Tough to search for in category driven search systems.

[mongo_jones]

i understand there was a fourth wise man who'd brought a jar of byrrh with him. apparently he never made it to bethlehem--he was found some days later wandering drunk around damascus.

[cinnamonshops]

yeah, i think astor wines & spirits does carry byrrh. i feel like it was near the vermouth, but also near the punt e mes and things like that. does that help with categorization at all?

and sorry if this is changing the subject (is it?), but how about Suze? i noticed it in the liquor store recently but don't know anything about it. has anyone tried it?

[mrbigjas]

I'm on my last bottle of it at the moment, as the PA liquor monopoly stopped stocking it a year or two ago... Will miss it when it is gone.

They might have stopped stocking it, but it's still on their list as available through a special liquor order. I mean, if you want to bother with that. Oh and also you have to order half a case minimum.

[cdh]

is it still on the list? I checked a few months back and it didn't come up on the computer database. Just checked again, and it's there now, but with a minimum order of 6 bottles, and at 18 bucks per. If I'm really jonesing for it, I'll stop in at Astor when I'm in NYC.

[cdh]

and sorry if this is changing the subject (is it?), but how about Suze? i noticed it in the liquor store recently but don't know anything about it. has anyone tried it?

Not changing the subject at all... I wanted this to be a broad discussion of wacky aperitifs, not just the Byrrh.

As to Suze, I've never had the chance to try it. I gather it is primarily gentian flavored, though have no clue what gentian tastes like.

[mrbigjas]

is it still on the list? I checked a few months back and it didn't come up on the computer database. Just checked again, and it's there now, but with a minimum order of 6 bottles, and at 18 bucks per. If I'm really jonesing for it, I'll stop in at Astor when I'm in NYC.

Put together a six-bottle order, and we'll share! I'll take one. Katie?

[cdh]

a very reasonable thought indeed.

[mrbigjas]

As to Suze, I've never had the chance to try it.  I gather it is primarily gentian flavored, though have no clue what gentian tastes like.

Gentian tastes very bitter, medicinal, and is kind of astringent.

Edited to say that I have an Italian digestif called Genziana which is gentian flavored, which I'd be happy to share. It's brutal, but kinda good in a really weird way.

Edited by mrbigjas, 28 January 2004 - 10:54 AM.

[cdh]

May have to take you up on that offer at some future Pizza Club adventure. How's gentian as a post pizza digestif?

[QuinaQuen]

Had similar trouble finding Becherovka for a while. Don't worry, your esoteric siparoonie of choice will turn up before too long.

[mrbigjas]

May have to take you up on that offer at some future Pizza Club adventure. How's gentian as a post pizza digestif?

Gentian (and this other one called Centerba) are good digestifs for everything!

I don't know if I'm making the Trenton pizza club run yet... maybe another one.

[Keith Orr]

Byrrh showed up in Portland Oregon last week. $21 A bottle. Excellent addition to the local choices.

We made Byrrh Cocktails - 1.5 oz Byrr, 1 oz VSOP Cognac & 1/4 oz kirsch - shaken. I tried it stirred and it wasn't nearly as good. The kirsch didn't show as much and the shaking develops a nice froth.

We also made the Le Negociant Cocktail Recipe on the back of the bottle of Byrrh - 1 oz Byrrh, 1 oz Rhum Agricole, 1/2 oz Elderflower Liquor, 1/2 oz lemon juice - shake and strain.

The Byrrh Cocktail would make a great after dinner drink. The Le Negociant is lighter and very refreshing. I'll be making them both in the future.

[Yojimbo]

For those seeking a gentian experience, Bittermens new line includes a hefty take on gentian-based amari, Amere Sauvage, and their Amere Nouvelle is styled after Byrh's cousin, Amer Picon. Which leads me to wonder how the Nouvelle would work in some of the recipes above . . . .