Sidetrack Distillery Shiso Herbal Liqueur 375ml
DescriptionExplore Japanese flavors through Oregon craft distilling with Sidetrack's Shiso Liqueur in this perfectly sized 375ml bottle. Shiso, the aromatic herb that's essential to Japanese cuisine, rarely appears in Western spirits, making this liqueur a unique bridge between cultures. Sidetrack's careful maceration and distillation captures shiso's complex profile - simultaneously minty, basil-like, and utterly unique - in a format ideal for exploration.
The nose immediately showcases shiso's distinctive character. Aromatic notes somewhere between mint and basil emerge, but with additional complexity - hints of cinnamon, clove, and anise add depth. There's a green freshness that speaks to careful handling of the delicate herb, while the base spirit adds subtle sweetness and vanilla notes. The overall impression is of stepping into a Japanese herb garden, with shiso's unique perfume dominating but not overwhelming.
On the palate, this 375ml delivers concentrated shiso essence that reveals why this herb captivates Japanese cuisine. The initial taste brings cooling mint-like qualities, quickly followed by more complex herbal notes - basil, anise, and subtle spice create layers. The sweetness level is perfectly judged to enhance rather than mask shiso's character. The texture is smooth and light, carrying herbal flavors without heaviness. Mid-palate reveals shiso's full complexity with notes that don't exist in Western herbs - slightly medicinal, refreshing, and warming simultaneously. The finish is clean and herbaceous with lingering shiso character. This smaller format is perfect for cocktail experimentation where shiso's unique profile can add unexpected dimensions, or for adventurous sipping. Sidetrack's Shiso Liqueur opens new flavor territories, proving that craft distilling's greatest gift might be introducing us to flavors we didn't know we were missing.
