Bar Diver White Russian Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Review

 

I’m about the least adventurous person as it pertains to cocktails. Yeah, I know, there’s that whole #DrinkCurious thing, and I wholeheartedly believe in it, but I’d rather drink whiskey neat than have it as a mixer. I’ve been known to order them at a bar when either someone’s whiskey selection is lacking, or if not, their prices are ridiculous.

 

Even then, I’m going to order either a Mule, a White Russian, a Colorado Bulldog, or an Old Fashioned (whiskey, not brandy). That’s as wild as I get.

 

When I visited Distill America in Madison this past May, one of the brands showcasing its products was Bar Diver, which produces a variety of Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktails at its Minneapolis, Minnesota, production facility. If you say 'RTD,' the folks at Bar Diver will correct you with 'Ready to Serve.'  

 

“We don’t see cocktails as ‘flavors’ rather they are individual creative expressions honed over decades to represent the best of the parts – integrated, balanced, and each a proud adult libation.” – Bar Diver

 

When I say “variety of cocktails,” that’s an understatement. Its cocktail categories include mocktails, THC-infused, classics, creams, and sparkling. Bar Diver even offers limited-edition cocktails. Sans the mocktails, you can count on them being “full proof” versions. I assume that means they don’t dilute anything beyond mixing.

 

That brings us back to the White Russian cocktail. It is one of my favorites, and Bar Diver happens to make one as well. And, since my palate was completely worn out at Distill America, Bar Diver was kind enough to let me take a sample home in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

• Spirit Type: Ready to Drink Cocktail (err, Ready to Serve)
• Distiller: Bar Diver
• Ingredients: Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Dairy Cream, Carmel Coloring
• Alcohol Content: 15% ABV (30°)
• Price per 200mL: $4.99

 

Appearance: I used a rocks glass to explore this RTD neat. The suggestion is to pour it over ice. I had mine in a refrigerator, so I’m skipping the ice. It looked like a lighter chocolate milk.

 

Nose: This is an “Oh, my” moment. It smelled heavenly, with coffee liqueur, vanilla, and milk chocolate. There was no aroma of alcohol.

 

Palate: Bar Diver’s White Russian had a creamy texture with medium weight. I tasted coffee, vanilla cream, chocolate, and caramel.  

 

Finish: Caramel and coffee held out the longest on its brief finish. I timed it at 24 seconds.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I didn’t quite know what to expect. RTDs can be a crapshoot. I’ve had some that are awesome and some that are gag-worthy.

 

The folks at Bar Diver know what they are doing, because not only was this an excellent rendition of a White Russian, but it should also serve as the model for all White Russian RTD cocktails. I could tell that a quality vodka was used because when you make a White Russian with cheap vodka, it is sour and hot, no matter how much you dilute it. There was none of that here.

 

I’ll also tell you that this RTD is dangerous. It begs to be chugged. You don’t want to do that. Even at 30°, sucking it down would be a mistake. Just trust me when I say no matter how tempting, just sip it.

 

I gave some to Mrs. Whiskeyfellow, and she had one of those “Oh, my” moments, too, which confirms my opinion that Bar Diver’s White Russian is stupendous, and worth buying a Bottle at any cost. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.