Not familiar with the taste of any of the Jim Beam products, I was certainly curious to give this one a try. Let me add that I have been to both whisky- and wine-tasting festivals, but I'm no pro at telling the different brands apart. So, when tasting Red Stag, I had no idea what to expect.
Remembering back to previous tasting festivals, the very first thing that I remember you have to do is smell the contents, and that's just what I did. The aroma, to sound more professional, was that of a sweet cherry and just a bit of a hint of oak, which doesn't make it all seem to smell like a medicinal concoction.
The next step was to taste. I took a small sip and was pleasantly surprised by the mix of warm cherry and shock of drinking whisky neat. It left my palate smooth with a tingling sensation of wanting more. I then had another sip, only to discover that Red Stag is indeed a very sweet whisky, something I'm not very used to, but, nontheless, it was something new, something different to try. I do suggest you try it if you get the chance.
I wouldn't recommend drinking it neat in a shot glass, as one of the options was just that. I would definitely suggest mixing it in a cocktail or simply having it with some cola.
The brand manager for Red Stag, Linda Brash, commented on the latest addition: "We are so excited to bring Red Stag by Jim Beam to South Africa. This fun and sociable label is completely different to anything you've ever tasted before and guaranteed to get your taste buds dancing!"
Red Stag is available at Ultra Liquors, Makro, Pick 'n Pay, Checkers, selected Tops @ Spar and other independent liquor retailers.
Check out the Red Stag Facebook page or follow them on Twitter @RedStagSA
