New Booze: Agwa De Bolivia Liqueur
February 04, 2010
Here's a review of Agwa De Bolivia Liqueur. The product has coca leaves from Bolivia, along with guarana and ginseng. From the press website:
AGWA DE Bolivia is a 30% ABV 60 proof Herbal liqueur made with Coca Leaf and 32 other herbs and botanicals that adheres fully to the rules and regulations of the authorities both within the EU and USA.
Agwa De Bolivia Coca Leaf Liquor is made from the finest Bolivian Coca Leaves. The coca leaves are shipped under armed guard from Bolivia and handcrafted in Amsterdam. Agwa is not just renowned for its unique and great taste but more for the secret energy that lies in all its drinks and cocktails.
So, it's an energy liqueur dyed bright green. But how does it taste? On the nose, it's an earthy menthol and not much else that I can detect. On the mouth there is some spiciness, like cinnamon, and with some fruit like pear and chocolate. The spiciness helps alleviate the sweetness of the liqueur and is the dominant flavor.
I thought this product would be gross, so I'm pleasantly surprised. I'm not in love with it, but if someone handed me a shot at a club (the suggested way of drinking it, along with a lime wedge) I'd probably take it.
A bar here in Boston (Deep Ellum) serves it in their Contraband cocktail along with gin, Swedish Punsch, and absinthe. Andrea had one and it was pretty tasty. Not sure if the liqueur has staying power once the novelty wears off though.
Posted by: Frederic | February 04, 2010 at 09:51 AM
Agwa has an ad in an Austin gay bar bathroom that says something like "Melts in your mouth, not in your nose..."
Posted by: Tipsytexan | February 04, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Lol.
Posted by: Camper English | February 04, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Isn't everything in Bolivia shipped under armed guard?
Posted by: Erik | February 04, 2010 at 11:35 AM
I love this stuff, and have been trying to turn people on to it whenever I can. I think It's surprisingly versatile, and works particularly well in tiki- and tropical-style drinks IMHO.
But as I've stated before, I have notoriously low standards, so the usual caveats apply.
Posted by: Dr. Bamboo | February 09, 2010 at 12:07 PM
sort of smells like herbally soap and tastes very syrupy and herbal. Can't say I'd ever really be interested in tasting it again.
Posted by: Drink Spirits | March 14, 2010 at 02:19 PM
Its great straight! I like the bite!
Posted by: wode | May 25, 2010 at 09:43 PM