Hercules Mulligan Eyr & Rye RTD Cocktail Review & Tasting Notes

Tailor. Irish immigrant. Spy. Hero of the American Revolution. His name? Mulligan. Hercules Mulligan.

 

“[He ran] his sartorial business at 23 Queen Street in Lower Manhattan. His most frequent customers were British officers who trusted his friendly and talkative demeanor, plus this ‘Agent Double-Oh-Needle’ offered them the finest Spirits that loosened their tongues and revealed many a secret. In fact, Hercules saved George Washington’s life on two occasions through highly-classified information careless British officers spilled as their measures were being taken. The King’s men wanted to capture Washington and get rid of him, but precious intelligence saved his skin…” – Hercules Mulligan Company

 

Hercules Mulligan was the real thing, as even the CIA acknowledges him! I can’t help but wonder if, like another famous spy, he prefers his cocktails shaken, not stirred?

  

Hercules Mulligan’s Eyr & Rye follows the highly-successful 2019 release of its Ready To Drink (RTD) cocktail, Rum & Rye. Eyr & Rye is a twist on the classic Manhattan by adding a bit of Irish magic to the concoction with Irish whiskey, American Rye, and cherry bitters. It isn’t a watered-down cocktail; it rings in at 43% ABV (86°).

 

This inaugural release is on 2000 bottles and is exclusively available via Flaviar (an online spirits membership club) and Caskers. You can expect to pay $49.99 for a 750ml bottle.

 

Before I #DrinkCurious, I must thank the Hercules Mulligan Company for a sample of this RTD cocktail in exchange for a no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s start sipping!

 

Appearance: I approached this review the same way I do nearly any other; I used a Glencairn glass. The liquid’s color was that of black cherry. A bold rim generated slow, sticky tears.

 

Nose: The aroma of cherry bitters was prominent. I was also able to pick out mint, which is attributable to the American Rye whiskey. I didn’t find any smells leading me to the Irish content. Inhaling through my lips offered nothing different.  

 

Palate: The thin, oily, and quite slick mouthfeel included a cooling sensation as if this were iced. It wasn’t; I sipped this neat. Cherry, vanilla, and raw honey were on the front of my palate. Midway through, orange citrus and more honey seemed to park in place. As it hit the back of my palate, a kiss of mint melded with bitters and tannins.

 

Finish: Despite swallowing liquid, I could swear it was glued to my mid-palate. It didn’t move. I could swallow. I could run my tongue against my hard palate. And, yet, the flavors of raw honey, cherry bitters, and citrus remained.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The finish was one of the most unique experiences I’ve had in my years of whiskey appreciation. This cocktail seemed like a cross between a Manhattan, an Old Fashioned, and a dollop of honey. While I enjoy sipping an occasional cocktail, I genuinely suck at making them. Eyr & Rye, like Rum & Rye, makes that easier.

 

I'm giving Eyr & Rye a Bottle rating, just as I did with Rum & Rye. It is delicious and you're going to love it. 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 do so responsibly.

 

 

Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye RTD Cocktail Review & Tasting Notes

 

Who was Hercules Mulligan? Aside from the Greco-Celtic connotations, he was a tailor, an Irish immigrant, a spy, and a hero of the American Revolution. What made him a hero?

 

“[He ran] his sartorial business at 23 Queen Street in Lower Manhattan. His most frequent customers were British officers who trusted his friendly and talkative demeanor, plus this ‘Agent Double-Oh-Needle’ offered them the finest Spirits that loosened their tongues and revealed many a secret. In fact, Hercules saved George Washington’s life on two occasions through highly-classified information careless British officers spilled as their measures were being taken. The King’s men wanted to capture Washington and get rid of him, but precious intelligence saved his skin…” – Hercules Mulligan Company

 

That sounds like a typical whiskey backstory, so I Googled him. Hercules Mulligan was the real thing, as even the CIA acknowledges him!

 

Part of the #DrinkCurious lifestyle means that I occasionally have to delve outside my comfort zone (whiskey). I’ve reviewed tequila, rum, and liqueurs. Today? Ready to Drink (RTD) cocktails.

 

Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye began in 2019 and is based on a cocktail recipe from those revolutionary times. It is a 50:50 blend of Caribbean-aged rum and American rye whiskey bottled at 86°. That recipe includes a blend of three aged rums, three aged ryes, fresh ginger, simple syrup, and bitters. Until recently, it was only available via Flaviar (an online spirits membership club) and is now on the open New York market. Soon, it will be available throughout New England. You can expect to pay about $38.00 for a 750ml bottle.

 

Here’s the deal, and I say this every time I review something that’s not whiskey:  I have no idea what’s involved in penning an RTD cocktail review. I know how to write whiskey reviews, so my review of Hercules Mulligan will be in my usual format.

 

Before that, I wish to thank the Hercules Mulligan Company for a sample of this RTD cocktail in exchange for a no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s get to it!

 

Appearance:  Served neat in a rocks glass, Hercules Mulligan was deep, orange-amber. It formed a skinny rim with sticky droplets that grabbed the wall.

 

Nose: The ingredient list didn’t include orange (although it didn’t go into detail about what kind of bitters were used), but that aroma was evident from across the room. When I brought the glass nearer to my face, I immediately picked out ginger, followed by honey, menthol, and a touch of rye spice. Try as I might, I couldn’t discern any molasses or other expected “rummy” notes. Ginger and the (orange) bitters continued when I drew the air into my mouth.

 

Palate: The texture was heavy and rich. Raw honey and citrus started the show. Honey continued to the middle, mixed with vanilla and rye spice, while the back offered flavors of dry oak, orange, a hint of smoke, and more honey.

 

Finish:  Long-lasting and unwavering, the oak and rye spice warmed my mouth and demanded it is unforgotten. A gentle kiss of honey rounded things out, refusing to be left behind.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust:  I had no idea what to expect, but I am impressed here. My go-to cocktail is a whiskey Old-Fashioned sweet. Hercules Mulligan lacked the fruit and olives that I’d typically find in my chosen cocktail, but dang, this Rum and Rye is good. It wouldn’t have crossed my mind to buy an RTD cocktail, but my interest is piqued. I hate making cocktails (I usually convince Mrs. Whiskeyfellow to do that), I could easily see myself keeping a Bottle in my whiskey library. That’s my rating. 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 do so responsibly.