When the press release came in I had to read it, I had to know more. I simply had no choice. The idea was simply too wild, too bold, too insane to ignore.

The pitch, from an Austin-based company called 2XL Swagger Brands LLC USA, went a little like this:

2XL Swagger Brands Launches “World’s First Gender Specific Seductive Herb Infused Vodka Based Liqueur” The launch includes the buzzworthy premium distilled spirits, PinkKitty® and EasyRhino® Liqueurs. Robert Tushinsky, Founder and CEO 2XL Swagger Brands USA says, “We have mastered the secret of seductive herbs in a breakthrough Horny Goat Weed, Muira Puama and Ashwaganda infused Vodka based spirit that could change millions of lives around the world.

“The natural herbs in our spirits are on the verge of explosive growth as consumers today are craving herbs like Horny Goat Weed now in spirits,” said Tushinsky. “With EasyRhino®, we are looking to elevate our Horny Goat Weed, Muira Puama and Ashwaganda infused vodka based liquor category to a new level and to widen our distribution of alcohol consumers around the nation. We are tremendously proud of the high-quality proprietary herbs formula we developed with the help of some of the top herbalists in the country and are making this our biggest innovation to date.”

EasyRhino® is distilled and blended at the Mile High Spirits distillery in Colorado with herbs ingredients – including Horny Goat Weed, Muira Puama, Ashwaganda, and other potent herbs and real fruit flavors.

So, to clarify: 2XL Swagger Brands brings us two new spirits, one for men, one for women, both designed to “add Vigor to the drinking experience” via a mastery of seductive herbs, and both oddly supporting wildlife causes (in some indistinct, possibly non-monetary, way). In other words, these are club drinks that most people will consume with a Red Bull mixer.

Now, while I can’t comment on how Vigorous these beverages might make you, I can comment on what they taste like, which I will proceed with presently.

Each is 70 proof.

EasyRhino Liqueur – Made with “a seductive blend of vanilla, cinnamon, blood orange and some very ‘Special Herbs’ — (Muira Puama, Ashwaganda and Epimedium [aka horny goat weed]).” Vanilla dominates the nose, but it’s filtered through a musky character reminscent of coriander, allspice, and/or cloves. There’s a bit of damp earth and cedar box… really it comes across like a men’s cologne. The palate is both sweet and spicy with Christmassy notes of gingerbread, almonds, raisins, more of that coriander/clove mix, and ample vanilla, which makes it almost whiskey-like at times. There’s not a lot more to it, though, its relatively thin body only amplifying a simplicity that feels almost basic. That said, it’s certainly harmless — though nothing that really grabs me by the throat. B / $30 / drinkeasyrhino.com

PinkKitty Liqueur – Admittedly I am not the target demo for this cosmo in a bottle, but I’ll give it a go anyway. Unlike EasyRhino, which provides a decent bill of ingredients in its marketing, PinkKitty offers none — only that it is “a proprietary blend of all natural ingredients.” It is, however, quite pink. On the nose, it’s very floral, and very fruity. Strawberries and rose petals combine to make an almost nightmarish combination of women’s perfume and Jolly Ranchers. The palate is much the same, extremely sweet and loaded up with berry-flavored candies and Sweet’N Low, sticking to your mouth for an eternity. Bottom line: I don’t think you have to be a woman not to like this. C- / $30

EasyRhino Liqueur

$30

8

Rating

8.0/10