Crossip Dandy Smoke

I’m hesitating between four point five or just giving this the full five stars.  It does it for me, but I recognise that other people may feel differently: one person on Amazon described it tasting as if your grandfather’s tobacco pouch had been through a washing machine.  But forget that and try it for yourself – I think it’s amazing; it literally haunts my sense memory.  It’s deeply, chewily gutsy, with the smoky lapsang flavour sitting at the top of the mix, followed by the astringency of pine, and spices and a touch of citrus mingling with a hit of chilli.  So many spirit substitutes taste somehow watery, missing the deep rounded mouthfeel ethanol adds to the mix; Dandy Smoke has body to spare.  It’s not mimicking any spirit, but it has the fieriness and strength of a good malt whisky.  If you like the darker spirits, rum, brandy or whisky, or the punchier cocktails, I urge you to give this a try.