Kahlua Midnight (NEW) v. Kahlua Especial

[destrekor]

Me, I'm a huge fan of caucasians. I also like black russians (or exceptionally tan, uh.. :hmm: perhaps fair-skinned black russians?).

Every now and then Kahlua finds its way into coffee, but I almost exclusively use it for the above noted drinks.


And I swear by Kahlua Especial (70 Proof version - so tasty).
Well, they just recently launched a new version: Kahlua Midnight.
Also 70 proof. But it was $27/750mL, whereas the Especial version was $20 for same.

Anyone happened to give the Midnight version a try? Anyone care to gamble for me (seeing as I JUST bought the Especial yesterday, couldn't bring myself to gamble with my russian loves) and report back their findings?

It seems they kind of market it in a different light: they suggest storing in freezer, and drinking it neat (likely shots) fresh out of the freezer. Might be great to have on hand for exactly that purpose, as a special shot-type drink is always welcome, especially something as tasty as rum + coffee.

 

[destrekor]

nobody?

 

[bigrash]

I prefer Bailey's

 

[spidey07]

I'm a big fan of Amurula on ice.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

It's after midnight. The liquor store is closed and you're all out of mixers. On your shelf sits a lonely bottle of Kahlua. What's a hard-drinking man supposed to do? You think to yourself, "I couldn't possibly drink Kahlua straight, could I? Doesn't that just flat-out brand me an alcoholic?" Well have no fear, pilgrim. That's why we developed this new bottle. Same great kahlua taste (when mixed with items that mask that great kahlua taste), none of the worries that your "social drinking" may have wobbled over that rickety line of alcoholism.

New Kahlua: Midnight. Validation in a bottle.

 

[destrekor]

It's after midnight. The liquor store is closed and you're all out of mixers. On your shelf sits a lonely bottle of Kahlua. What's a hard-drinking man supposed to do? You think to yourself, "I couldn't possibly drink Kahlua straight, could I? Doesn't that just flat-out brand me an alcoholic?" Well have no fear, pilgrim. That's why we developed this new bottle. Same great kahlua taste (when mixed with items that mask that great kahlua taste), none of the worries that your "social drinking" may have wobbled over that rickety line of alcoholism.

New Kahlua: Midnight. Validation in a bottle.

eh?

Are we referring to the fact that that ingredients may be different in the new version (or mixed at a different ratio) ?

 

[destrekor]

I prefer Bailey's

I'm a big fan of Amurula on ice.

These aren't remotely related to Kahlua, other than the shared fact that they are different from a straight distilled liquor, and probably work well in many desserts, sweets, and coffee.
I can't say "definitely" because I've never heard of, nor had, Amarula. Hell, until I looked it up, I had never even heard of the fruit called marula.
What does a cream liqueur with marula taste like? Very similar to other cream liqueurs?

But yeah, Kahlua is not a cream liqueur. It is a liqueur, as opposed to a liquor. Basic Kahlua is also quite syrupy and sweet, so I guess it shares that much with the cream liqueurs. That's another reason why Especial is so awesome, because it's less dense and sweet than the base version.

You know, I think that may be the difference between Especial and Midnight: midnight looked like a dark colored liquor (straight distilled product), which was on display thanks to the clear bottle (basic and Especial's bottles are opaque or nearly so).
I imagine Midnight might not be sweetened at all, or only minimally. Perhaps it's the rum and coffee extract base of Kahlua (and probably the vanilla), minus the additional sugars. Especial is quite cut down compared to basic, but it still appears a little more viscous than, say, rum, vodka, etc. Which helps support the idea of it being a good chilled shot.

Even the Especial, with it's full-proof wonder, is not something I'd want to take shots of - I'd rather sip it neat (chilled) or on the rocks. That said, if sipping it, it's usually a black russian with the requisite vodka present (1:1 mix).