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Friday, April 18, 2008

UNLVino: Ty Ku

At many wine expos, there are often a few non-wine alcohols available as well, though often with some type of wine connection. One such mysterious example at UNLVino was Ty Ku, an intriguing new liquer. It ia partially mysterious as the marketing appears directed to that end. For example, they do not provide you a full list of the ingredients in Ty Ku. Plus, some of the links on their website, especially the FAQ and Media Sheet, do not work. Thus, there is not a lot of concrete information about the product.

It is a green-colored liquer that comes in a frosted, pyramidal bottle. The bottle also glows when you pick it up. So it is going to look interesting at a partially darkened bar when the bottle's light goes on. The liquer is a blend of about twenty different ingredients, allegedly all natural. Two of the ingredients are Saké and Vodka, though the liquer is only 40 proof. It is said that this may be the first Saké liquer.

Of the other known ingredients, they include such items as yuzu, pomegranate, prickly pear, oolong tea, green tea, honeydew and plum. Plus, it includes ginseng, damiana and dragon's eye, all of which are so-called natural aphrodisiacs. Damiana is a shrub native to Central and South America and its leaves are thought to be an aphrodisiac. Dragon's eye, also known as longans, is a fruit that also is an alleged aphrodisiac. There are around 6-7 ingredients which are unknown. I should also mention that Ty Ku is supposed to be low in calories, unlike some of the more sugary liquers on the market.

I tasted the Ty Ku straight, to find out its flavors as a stand alone. First, it definitely was not cloying sweet. There were more of a hint of sweetness and it felt more natural, more like the sweetness of good fruit. The liquer had an intriguing blend of fruit flavors, both exotic and familiar. I got a lot of melon and pear flavors, as well as touches of other herbal flavors. It presents more of a tropical taste and I did enjoy it. Though it probably would do best in cocktails rather than just straight. I cannot vouch for its alleged aphrodisiacs though.

Their website presents plenty of cocktail recipes for the Ty Ku. It certainly seems versatile enough to mix with most anything. And it probably makes some good summertime cocktails. I think it is a very different liquer and I would recommend it.

Ty Ku sells for around $30-35 for a 750 ml bottle. I am sure the glowing bottle contributes to a decent portion of its price. I don't think that was necessary as the Ty Ku could stand on its own as a good liquer. But gimmicks sometimes help sell products. Ty Ku is currently available in New York, Nevada, and the Virgin Islands though it will soon be available in other markets as well.

8 comments:

  1. This sounds interesting Richard! Considering that I doubt we'll be able to taste this anytime soon here in Spain, can I put it on the list of sake's and gins that I've asked you send in a care package for us one day? ;-)

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  2. Sure, put it on the list. And keep your fingers crossed that maybe I win a trip to Spain in the fall, and then I could bring you some bottles. :)

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  3. Per your recommendation, I picked up a bottle at my local wine store. I have to say I agree with you in that TY KU does taste a bit better mixed in a cocktail than straight, although my boyfriend disagrees and prefers it on the rocks. Either way, we've definitely made TY KU a new staple in our liquor cabinet, that's for sure.

    As always, thanks for a great review, and keep up the good work!

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  4. I just recently tried Ty Ku by itself while out to sushi the other night and I am in love. Can't wait to try the cocktail recipes

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  5. I just picked up a bottle of the sake too. I agree, I like the liqueur mixed but love the sake on the rocks. A good recipe w/the liquer I found on their website for the holidays.

    "The Naughty Elf"
    1.5oz TY KU Liqueur
    1oz Tequila

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  6. mmmm

    Try the TY-TINI
    1.5 oz ty ku liqueur, .25 oz vodka or ty ku soju (less cals)
    squeeze of lemon, splash of any diet citrus soda

    ENJOY!
    more skinny cocktails here:
    http://bit.ly/cuSUXy

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  7. ty ku's soju is the new vodka! <3's it. I've literally been seeing it everwhere lately.

    Still, I think my favorite is the sake!

    Lindsey :)

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  8. I love the recipes on their site they're so good but i got to say I love the sake with ginger ale simple yet delicious.

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