Butterscotch Gold is the dessert jar in the Sugarlands lineup, and it commits fully to the idea rather than hedging. Sugarlands Distilling Company works out of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, and bottles its shine in genuine wire bail Mason jars, which does a great deal of work both on a shelf and as a gift. What is inside is a straightforward and well executed butterscotch. The nose is brown sugar and kettle corn, the sort of smell that belongs to a county fair, and the palate follows with creamy caramel, soft vanilla and a butter richness that coats the mouth. Underneath there is a subtle hazelnut note and a lingering cream flavor that stretches the finish out longer than you would expect from something this sweet. Be clear on what this is. The label states neutral spirits with natural flavor and caramel color, so this is a flavored spirit rather than a whiskey, and at 20 percent alcohol by volume, or 40 proof, it is genuinely low strength, roughly half of a standard spirit. That makes it easy going and dangerously drinkable, particularly served cold. The most useful thing about it is versatility. Pour it over ice, add it to coffee, stir it into hot chocolate, or use it as a direct substitute for vanilla vodka in dessert cocktails, where it does considerably more work. It also pours neatly over vanilla ice cream if you want to skip the glass entirely. Serve it alongside brownies or a bowl of popcorn and the county fair reference stops being marketing and starts making sense.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
20% |
| Proof |
40 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Gatlinburg, Tennessee |
| Category |
Flavored Moonshine |
| Expression |
Butterscotch Gold |
| Base |
Neutral spirits with natural flavor and caramel color |
| Distillery |
Sugarlands Distilling Company LLC |
| Packaging |
Mason jar with wire bail |
Tasting Notes
Color: Warm golden amber, from added caramel color.
Nose: Brown sugar and kettle corn up front, with butterscotch and soft vanilla behind.
Palate: Rich and coating, with creamy caramel and butter leading into vanilla, a touch of sea salt and a subtle hazelnut note.
Finish: Long for the strength, lingering on cream and caramelized sugar.
FAQ
What proof is Sugarlands Butterscotch Gold? It is 40 proof, or 20 percent alcohol by volume, which is roughly half the strength of a standard spirit.
Is this whiskey? No. The label states neutral spirits with natural flavor and caramel color, making it a flavored spirit rather than a whiskey, though some retailers file it under the whiskey category.
How sweet is it? Very. This is a dessert style pour built around butterscotch and caramel, with cream and brown sugar rather than any dryness.
What should I mix it with? It works over ice, in coffee or hot chocolate, with cream soda, and as a substitute for vanilla vodka in dessert cocktails. It also pours well over vanilla ice cream.
Does it come in a real Mason jar? Yes, a genuine wire bail Mason jar, which is a large part of its appeal as a gift.
Where can I buy Sugarlands Butterscotch Gold Moonshine online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
