Empirical The Plum, I Suppose

Empirical The Plum, I Suppose shines when sipped neat or over a large ice cube, allowing its unique plum and marigold notes to fully unfold on the palate. This versatile spirit also excels in spirit-forward cocktails like variations on the Old Fashioned or Manhattan, and pairs beautifully with rich, savory dishes or cheese plates during cool autumn evenings.

Nose: Fresh plum skins, tart maraschino cherries, and a hint of almond. Light floral notes reminiscent of jasmine tea. Subtle earthy undertones of wet stone and forest floor.

Palate: Tart and fruity, with prominent flavors of unripe plums and sour cherry. A whisper of vanilla and nutmeg spice. Vegetal notes of green tea and cucumber peel add complexity. Slightly tannic, with a tea-like astringency.

Finish: Medium-length and dry. Lingering tartness of plum skins and green apple. A touch of white pepper spice emerges. Faint mineral notes and a subtle smokiness reminiscent of oolong tea round out the experience.

Empirical's "The Plum, I Suppose" is crafted using a unique vacuum distillation process that captures the essence of Danish plums and marigold flowers at low temperatures, preserving their delicate flavors. This innovative technique allows the distillers to create a spirit that's neither a gin nor a vodka, but rather a category-defying libation that showcases the natural aromas and tastes of its ingredients in a way traditional distillation methods cannot achieve.

• Empirical The Plum, I Suppose isn't actually made with plums at all. Instead, it's crafted from a unique blend of marigold kombucha, salted black plum tea, and blackcurrant buds, creating a flavor profile that only hints at plum-like notes.
• The spirit's name is a playful nod to the poem "This Is Just To Say" by William Carlos Williams, which famously mentions plums in an icebox. This literary connection adds a layer of intellectual intrigue to the drinking experience.
• Despite its complex flavor profile, The Plum, I Suppose is made using a vacuum still at low temperatures, preserving delicate aromas that would typically be lost in traditional distillation methods. This technique allows for the capture of flavors that are usually impossible to distill, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind spirit.