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Orgeat Taste Test -- the results are in! |
djmont
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 03, 2011
Posts: 75
From: Potomac Falls, VA
|  Posted: 2012-08-15 06:53 am Permalink
I conducted a taste test of 8 brands of orgeat and just posted the results on Professor Cocktail:
Taste Test: Orgeat (Almond Syrup)
The brands I tasted were:
B.G. Reynolds Orgeat
Fee Brothers Orgeat (Almond) Cordial
Monin Almond Orgeat
Routin 1883 Orgeat
Small Hand Foods Orgeat
Sonoma Syrup Vanilla Almond (Orgeat)
Teisseire Orgeat
Torani Almond Orgeat
Cheers!
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David J. Montgomery writes about cocktails and spirits at ProfessorCocktail.com.
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Sir Richard
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jul 21, 2012
Posts: 25
From: Lowell, MA
| Posted: 2012-08-15 1:22 pm Permalink
Great comparison, thanks!
My homemade Orgeat looks like the Small Hand stuff. I've yet to try that one, but making Orgeat is so easy I probably won't have to.
Thanks again for an excellent shootout!
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djmont
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 03, 2011
Posts: 75
From: Potomac Falls, VA
| Posted: 2012-08-15 1:30 pm Permalink
The two times I've made it, my orgeat came out a dark brown. But now that I think of it, I used turbinado sugar, so it's not surprising that it was darker.
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David J. Montgomery writes about cocktails and spirits at ProfessorCocktail.com.
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Sir Richard
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jul 21, 2012
Posts: 25
From: Lowell, MA
| Posted: 2012-08-15 1:46 pm Permalink
Yeah, I used white sugar. I had used Demerara sugar in a batch of Falernum and wasn't too happy with the extra bitterness that it brought to the party, so I was more conservative when I decided to try my hand at Orgeat.
I've made 2 batches of Orgeat, one with Rose Water and one with Orange Flower water. The one with Orange Flower water is just delicious (in my opine).
I am going to try the Small Hand product though. Looks like a nice recipe and right up my alley.
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djmont
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 03, 2011
Posts: 75
From: Potomac Falls, VA
| Posted: 2012-08-15 3:34 pm Permalink
I think I'll definitely use white sugar the next time. Keep it simple. And although I added some Rose Water the first time, I don't think I'd do that again. I'm not wild about it. Just the orange is enough, I think.
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David J. Montgomery writes about cocktails and spirits at ProfessorCocktail.com.
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Dapuma1
Tiki Centralite
Joined: May 04, 2010
Posts: 80 | Posted: 2012-08-19 11:31 pm Permalink
I swear by all Small Hands food stuff
If you like her Orgeat, get some of the Pineapple gum syrup and follow her recipe for a Pina Colada, it will be the best pina colada you ever had
I generally use Flor de Cana 4 yr in it, however when I get some 5 Banks I will try that next
Doubt I have to say it but just the same, make sure you use Coco Lopez for the coconut cream 
Side note, was there a particular reason you did not test Trader Tiki's Orgeat? I have heard some good things about it, however I doubt it beat the two small batch runs, but could be a 3rd best?
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Rum Balls
Grand Member (7 years) 
Joined: Oct 04, 2004
Posts: 828
From: Portland, OR
| Posted: 2012-08-20 06:33 am Permalink
Quote:
| Side note, was there a particular reason you did not test Trader Tiki's Orgeat? |
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FYI..."Trader Tiki's" is the old name of "B.G. Reynolds"...had to change name due to legal issues.
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Dapuma1
Tiki Centralite
Joined: May 04, 2010
Posts: 80 | Posted: 2012-08-20 07:51 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2012-08-20 06:33, Rum Balls wrote:
Quote:
| Side note, was there a particular reason you did not test Trader Tiki's Orgeat? |
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FYI..."Trader Tiki's" is the old name of "B.G. Reynolds"...had to change name due to legal issues.
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ahh thanks, i must have missed that at some point
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Brandomoai
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 05, 2008
Posts: 310
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
| Posted: 2012-08-20 11:43 am Permalink
I'm sure it's hard to find (it's certainly not easy here) but Giffard Orgeat from France is also very good, though I suspect it'd rank close to the Routin 1883. All it lists for ingredients are sugar syrup, water, flavor. Anyway, food for thought...
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djmont
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 03, 2011
Posts: 75
From: Potomac Falls, VA
| Posted: 2012-08-21 11:45 am Permalink
I keep hoping that Giffard will get some distribution in the U.S., but nothing so far. Simon Difford always says great things about their products.
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David J. Montgomery writes about cocktails and spirits at ProfessorCocktail.com.
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kick_the_reverb
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 17, 2002
Posts: 573
From: Originally Israel, now Oceanside, CA
| Posted: 2012-08-21 12:53 pm Permalink
Nice comparison, thanks for posting.
I think the Routin deserves much less, maybe a B-
I have the B.G. Reynolds, and while it tastes great, I think it lacks the bitter almond flavor that I associate with Orgeat, but who knows, maybe I am used to bad Orgeat?
Ran
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virani
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 17, 2003
Posts: 1434
From: Volcanic area of France
| Posted: 2012-08-21 11:37 pm Permalink
There is also "Moulin de Valdonne" and many more in France.
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Bloody Good
Tiki Centralite
Joined: May 18, 2012
Posts: 36
From: Portland OR
| Posted: 2012-08-22 09:48 am Permalink
Has anybody tried using Orzata? I picked some up from an international food market for a Peach Juice I've been making, but have since been using it in my Mai Tais. I have been pretty pleased with the results.... however...
I haven't done much taste testing with others beside Torani, but I live in Portland so it shouldn't be hard for me to pick up some B.G. Reynolds
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Rum Balls
Grand Member (7 years)
Joined: Oct 04, 2004
Posts: 828
From: Portland, OR
| Posted: 2012-08-23 07:01 am Permalink
Bloody Good, you can get BG Reynolds syrups all over the place here in Portland, including New Seasons grocery stores, many liquor stores, and at his own tiki bar opening up Wed 8/29 (Hale Pele, the former Thatch on NE Broadway). It can't get much easier than that!
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Bloody Good
Tiki Centralite
Joined: May 18, 2012
Posts: 36
From: Portland OR
| Posted: 2012-08-23 08:34 am Permalink
Thanks Rum Balls, I didn't know about New Seasons. I have been wanting to try his Falernum too. If we can find a sitter, I was totally planning on going to the opening of Hale Pele next Wed. I've been watching the updates on FB for the opening....can't wait. Do you know if he's making a new mug for the place?
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