This is a guest review of National Pepparo and National Horseradish by my buddy JJ. I am admittedly not a bloody mary drinker, and JJ is. Since he’s already got a taste for the drink, I wanted to get a longer opinion from him to help give you guys a better idea of what to expect.

I don’t have much to say about the shot version of either National Pepparo or National Horseradish as these are clearly meant for mixing in Bloody Marys. The Pepparo is fine, not really spicy at all. The pepper in the bottle LOOKS better than it actual does anything, as it is not chopped or sliced. It’s merely more for the eyes than taste in my opinion. The Horseradish, as a shot, is awful. My god, I wanted to burn my tongue with something hot to make it go away.

For each BM I used the same set up. Normally, I use Bloody Mary Mix by Finest Call. Its cheap but good, and allows you to have a steady baseline for taste with plenty of room to add heat/spice; but ABC Beverage no longer carries it. So, I was forced to get “Master of Mixes” Authentic Bloody Mary Mixer: 5 Pepper Extra Spicy Sizzling Sensation with a Perfect Touch of Cholula Hot Sauce.

Even with all the fancy words this was a very mediocre hot-anything mixer. My set up was:

• 2oz of Vodka
• 14oz Pilsner glass full of ice
• One lime wedge
• One lemon wedge
• 3 olives
• About 1/2oz tabasco
• About 1/2oz Worcestershire sauce

I also like cracked black pepper normally but, regular black pepper will do.

National Pepparo pretty much vanished once added to the mix. I even added a double and still couldn’t really notice any lingering vodka taste, which is pretty awesome. I normally get Absolute Peppar when out and about. If this was on the shelf and it was reasonably priced, I’d definitely opt for it.

National Horseradish vodka… wow. With the same set up – and only 2 oz – it over powered the mix completely. I didn’t dare double up on this. Each time I would taste the overbearing flavor instantly. I did not like it at all. Of course, I don’t like horseradish. If you are an “avid” lover of such things, this is up your alley for sure. The Pepparo was definitely my favorite of the two. It shot decently, it mixed extremely well.

SINcerely,

J. Jewell