St Germain vs Giffard Elderflower - thoughts?

[PassionateAmateur]

Finally used up bottle of St Germain (which took YEARS -- was quite an unattractive brown by the time we found the bottom).  In shopping for a replacement I see that Giffard also does an elderflower at the exact same price point -- does anyone have any flavor compare/contrast thoughts they could share?

Thanks! 

[tanstaafl2]

Giffard liqueurs that I have had have generally been OK, not that I sit and drink them by themselves, but have never had the Elderflower. If the price point is the same I would probably default to the St. Germain. If nothing else it is likely the more attractive bottle! 

[PassionateAmateur]

Thanks.  I was very happy with another Giffard I got a while back -- peach, I think -- I remember it was not the horrid cloying cough medicine I'd feared.  St G is so Grandma's Hand Lotion to me, I was wondering if the Giffard might a little less of a perfume bomb.

[tanstaafl2]

Only one way to find out! Sounds like you should give the Giffard a shot.

 

Let us know what you think.

[cdh]

For elderflower in cocktails, I actually prefer it in syrup form, rather than cordial form... The Ikea Fladersaft syrup does the job just fine for me.

[blue_dolphin]

I replaced my elderly St. Germain with a bottle of Bertina Elderflower Liqueur, made in Finland.  I think it was about $22 vs $29 for St. Germain, not a huge difference for a home bar where it lasts forever so I bought it more to try something different than to save money.

The dregs of St. Germain were so oxidized that I didn't compare them but the Bertina has the same sweet, floral, lychee, fruity flavors as I remember from a fresh bottle of St. Germain.

The Bertina comes in a swing-top wire bale type bottle, not as stunning as the St. Germain, but rather more re-usable.

[PassionateAmateur]

Thanks, All!

[PassionateAmateur]

Finally put the Giffard to use and have to give it a thumbs-up relative to St Germain.  The Giffard is a little less synthetic-ish.  Though still with that grandma's guest soaps vibe.