There is a lot to like about Sagamore Canned Cocktails on paper. , let us see if it lives up to expectations.
Palate
. Although the can promises yuzu, I didnt find it particularly strongly represented, but enjoyed the drink all the same. Tasting Notes: Sagamore Honey Paloma I could not be more skeptical of whiskey-for-tequila substitutions. Ive seen it a number of times and Ive never seen it work. Until now. The flavors of this drink chart a really nice progression from tart and sweet to rich and floral. Im generally averse to overly sweet beverages, but here the sweetness both tempers the sour/tart citrus flavors of lime and grapefruit juices and facilitates a pivot into the richer aspects of agave and honey. The addition of agave keeps the flavor profile within the bounds of a classic paloma while a floral honey aspect lingers around on the fringes of each sip supported by light rye tannins that only make themselves known on the finish. Final Thoughts: I dont envy the decisions that fall on beverage developers in constructing canned cocktails. There are semi-competing priorities to address; on the one hand I imagine (or hope) that they would want the flavors of their whiskey to feature strongly on the cocktail, otherwise its hard to see how it builds/contributes to their brand. But on the other hand going all in on the flavor profile of the alcohol can throw the cocktail itself out of balance. It seems like Sagamores mixologists have struck a nice balance between these goals. The rye is a discernible presence in both, but it picks its spots and doesnt take over the drink entirely. On more than one occasion when drinking canned cocktails, my mind has wandered as I contemplate how I might create an improved version of the beverage (or at least one more finely tuned to my own subjective preferences). Ill even admit that when reviewing canned cocktails in the past, Ive poured more than one of them out once Id finished taking my notes. Ive had the same experience with canned cocktails enough times that my near-reflexive response to them is a shoulder-shrugging meh, fine. But in the case of both of the Sagamore canned cocktails that I sampled I just flat out enjoyed the drink after taking the bulk of my notes on the first several sips. I even wondered, with the rising heat of Oregons summers bearing down on me, where I could find another can. Credit to both Sagamore and CAnE collective on a successful collaboration, these are among the best-tasting ready to drink cocktails Ive encountered.
Finish
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
The Bottom Line
Sagamore Canned Cocktails is worth a try if it crosses your path. It may not redefine the category, but it has enough going on to keep things interesting.
