When you've accumulated a respectable pile of liquor products sent in for review by the publicist-beverage complex, it's time to hold a Taste Test. Our subject for this test is petite model Isobella Jade, who just released a graphic novel of her memoir covering her petite modeling experiences, A Model Life: The Journey of a Pint-Sized Fashion Warrior. Her comrades: Jazmin Ruotolo, who illustrated Model Life; and handbag designer Jacquelyn LaCroix. The shooter: Nick McGlynn. The venue: Long Island City mixology haven Dutch Kills, where they were kind enough to give us a booth and look the other way for awhile. Feel free to check out the damage in the photo gallery. Enough intro, let's to the booze, shall we?
Tanteo Chocolate Tequila Jazmin: Chocolate. For tequila it's pretty smooth. Jacquelyn: Yeah, it’s smooth and soft, like chocolate. There’s a hint of tequila but it’s very faint. Isobella: I want to put a Hershey Kiss in it, I think that's what you've got to do.
Tanteo Tropical Infused Tequila Jazmin: I taste the tropical, I do. You taste it and can see the palm trees. Jacquelyn: Do you feel like you're on a beach naked? Oh, my god that is yummy! I’m going to have to write this one down. Isobella: I’m still getting used to this whole tequila thing! I don’t usually drink it.
Tanteo Jalapeno Infused Tequila Jacquelyn: Ew, jalapeno. I don't like jalapenos -- I'll be gagging on this one. If it's spicy, I'm going to be dying. I'm southern girl but I don't like the spices. I will let you guys so first, I'm scared of this one. Isobella: It's a little spicy, a little strong. You can put it on a taco, like as a sauce, I don't know if I'd have it as a drink.
TY-KU Jacquelyn: I never had sake I didn't like, and this is no different. Isobella: Sake's sexy. It tastes like fishbowl water or something, it tastes weird. Jazmin: How do you know what fishbowl water tastes like? Isobella: It's what I imagine it to be like -- that warm, seaweed-y taste, and it’s easy to swallow. Jacquelyn: Is fishbowl water easy to swallow? I didn’t know! Isobella: Taste it again and tell me. Jacquelyn: I’ve never tasted fishbowl water. Jazmin: The sad thing is I know what you’re talking about. Isobella: See! My illustrator gets it. I give her a visual, and she gets it! Jacquelyn: This is good, it’s really my favorite. Isobella: It tastes like stale water just sitting there in the sun, I don’t know if I like it.
Hennessey Black Jacquelyn: It’s taking me back. Isobella: Where, to a scary night? Jacquelyn:To my college days. Isobella: It definitely tastes like something Grandpa would drink. Jazmin: This is a very masculine drink, like something my dad would drink. Isobella: When a guy orders this kind of drink I look at him like, “You’re just a cocky bastard because you just think you can pull this off.” Jazmin: My water’s gone.
Absolut Boston Isobella:Not my favorite thing. Jazmin: Me neither. Isobella: Absolut is probably the worst vodka out there. I had an experience where we really needed a mixer in college and we did it with, I want to say Gatorade or something like that, and it was so bad and messy on my floor in the morning. There’s something about Absolut I don’t like. But I love the Absolute ads! Jacquelyn: What kind of tea is this? It smells like black tea. That’s a really strong tea flavor. Isobella: Yeah, it tastes like someone put a lot of teabags in that shit. Jazmin: Someone had a big thing of vodka and they put in some tea. Isobella: I could make this! Jazmin: Get some Lipton Tea and some vodka. Isobella: This might be one of the best ones actually even though I hate Absolut.
Oxley Dry Gin Isobella: It smells like a flower. Jazmin: It does smell like a flower. Isobella: Smell it, smell it. I want this as a perfume! Let’s see how I feel in a minute. Jacquelyn: It’s strong, they’re tricking you! Isobella: Oh no! God no! I had the littlest taste on my lips! I can’t even take it, I’m sorry. I’ll have more of the fishbowl sake. I mean let's bottle it up and put it on our bodies, but not drink it!
Partida Tequila Familia Isobella: It tastes like vanilla. What is it? Jacquelyn: It’s straight up tequila. Isobella:Look at you, done with yours already. Jacquelyn:I’m not done. Jazmin: This makes me happy. Isobella: It’s good but I want some dessert with it. You have this with cheesecake- Jacquelyn: Or tiramisu. Isobella: It’s like for a dessert. What was in this tequila?
Partida Elegante Isobella: Oh my god, this is bad. It’s like medicine. I like the other one better. I’d have like, a gallon of the other one in an IV before I have this, so gross.
Armand de Brignac Isobella: It smells like dog food! Jacquelyn: I like champagne, though. Jazmin: It’s a little bubbly -- it’s actually very bubbly. Isobella: It’s champagne dude, just drink it. Jazmin: I feel really bad dissing this. Isobella: I do like champagne; it’s just a little dog foody. Jacquelyn: Dog foody? Fishbowl water? How do you know what these taste like!
The girls hold up their favorites of the night.


Responses to Taste Test: Isobella Jade @ Dutch Kills