Review: Sinfire Cinnamon Whisky
Oregon-based Hood River Distillers has recently rebranded Sinfire, a cinnamon whisky (no “e” on this one) that was launched only two years ago in February 2012. The highlight of the relaunch: “Best served as a 32-degree shot, Sinfire now features a thermochromic temperature-triggered color-changing label to help consumers know exactly when it reaches optimum temperature. The label also incorporates photochromic ink, which brightens the logo when exposed to UV lights.”
Well, then!
We’ve never sampled Sinfire (tagline: “an evil spirit”), so what better time than the present to give it a go?
Cinnamon-flavored whiskey doesn’t typically involve a ton of nuance, and Sinfire is pretty straightforward from the start. The nose is quite mild, more cinnamon toast than cinnamon straight from the jar. On the palate, it’s remarkably easygoing, with one of the lowest overall levels of spice I’ve encountered in this type of spirit. Oddly, it’s not as overwhelmingly sweet as you might expect but rather uses its buttery, creamy body to smooth out the roughness that’s typical of cinnamon whiskeys. The sweetness hits you mid-palate, more of a brown sugar, and the cinnamon pops up most presently on the moderately racy endgame.
Surprisingly well-made, Sinfire proves that you don’t have to blast out your customers’ sinuses with spices in order to craft a rich and soothing spirit. Hardly evil.
70 proof.
A- / $18 / hrdspirits.com
Sinfire Cinnamon Whisky
$18
How does Sinfire compare to Fireball? Which one is a better buy?
I prefer Sinfire over Fireball, which is also reviewed on the site. They’re about the same price.
I find Sinfire to be vastly superior to Fireball. Fireball tastes like that cheesy candy cinnamon flavor, and I find it excessively sweet. It also tends to give me a headache. Sinfire tastes like real cinnamon, has a quick bite at the end, and no bad aftertaste. Also no headache. It’s actually cheaper here in WA than Fireball, so its a win-win if you ask me.
I very much agree, goes good with cream soda or root beer. One of the better cinnamon whiskeys out there!
Sinfire is better all around. Fireball is like too-sweet thick syrup in comparison.
That said, Sinfire is sweet enough, and thick enough to be loved by Fireball lovers.
I very much agree, goes good with cream soda or root beer. One of the better cinnamon whiskeys out there!
Whiskey*
Sinfire uses the alternate spelling of “Whisky” on its labels.