Cocktail
Seelbach
The Seelbach is a bourbon-and-bubbles cocktail — bourbon and orange liqueur made intensely bitter with a heavy dose of both Angostura and Peychaud's bitters, then lengthened with Champagne and finished with a citrus twist. Named for the historic Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, it is a pale-gold, sparkling drink that is famous for its unusually bitters-forward build.
Bitter15% ABV
At a glance
Signature
Orange & Clove
Anise
Strength
Moderate ABV
15% ABV
Pale amber-gold and lively with a fine sparkling bead, the Seelbach smells of warm bourbon vanilla and sweet orange lifted by a rush of clove, anise and cinnamon from the double dose of bitters, all brightened by the dry citrus oils of the twist. On the palate it is aromatic and spiced rather than sweet — the bourbon and triple sec give a rounded orange-and-oak base, the fourteen dashes of Angostura and Peychaud's flood it with gentian, clove and licorice bitterness, and the Champagne carries all of it on a crisp, dry, effervescent finish at around 15 percent alcohol in the glass.
Taste balance
BitternessMedium
SmoothBitter
StrengthMedium
LightStrong