January 9, 2007

Twistee Shots Review

Twistee Shots
Vanilla Vodka Liqueur Mixed with Schnapps
30ml Shots
40 Proof (20% ABV)
Typical Price: Around $10 for 8 shots
Website

There's something about a prepackaged shot that almost seems too easy. You've got this shot glass you can throw in your pocket or briefcase, and do a shot no matter where you are. It kind of makes you wonder why more liquor companies aren't doing it - seems like you could make a bundle in college towns. Anyway, there is a company that's doing the good work of offering single-serving shots with Twistee Shots.

They offer a cool chambered shot glass that has vanilla vodka liqueur on one side, and a flavored schnapps on the other. You just jank it up to you mouth and swallow, and they mix in your mouth. Pretty smart. We tried the butterscotch and strawberry varieties - read on for our thoughts.

The Look:
The packaging is cool and distinctive, and the layering of the two colors looks very cool - plus the shots come in 8 packs that put us in mind of those single-serving pudding cups the Coz used to shill. Everyone who picked them up at our party kind of turned them over in their hands and said "that's a cool idea." The twistee part comes in with a little divider between the two types of liqueur - kind of a McDLT feel, but instead of keeping the hot side hot and the cool side cool, it keeps the vodka side vodka and the schnapps side schnapps.

The Nose:
The smell was sweet, and there was no alcohol tang. The strawberry twistees smelled heavily of berries, and we really liked the odor of the butterscotch...a bit sweeter than we typically drink but very - for lack of a better word - butterscotchy.

The Taste:
The strawberry twistees were good, very sweet and tasty without being cloying, with a heavy strawberries and cream vibe. We had been nervous about the butterscotch, concerned that it would be too sweet, but it was very drinkable and tasty. The ladies loved them, and the guys liked the novelty. We typically like shots that make us grimace, but these were easy to get down and left a pleasant taste in our mouths overall.

The Verdict:
These were good - we recommend them for parties and social functions. The portability factor is a huge plus too - just a tiny shot glass with a foil lid. We also liked the fact that you can keep the plastic shot glasses once the shots are done and reuse them - just put the liquor in one side and the chaser in the other. Easy peasy.

There are other flavors available as well, including melon and vanilla, sambuca and banana, blueberries and vanilla, and peaches and cream. They also make Twistee Sour shots, which we find very interesting. Check out the Independent Distillers website for more information.