In 1796 the Harveys of Bristol came up with a delicious after-dinner drink that in my opinion is more flavorful than brandy and much lighter than some of the heavier liquors.

John Harvey and his two sons Jerez and Xeres Harvey combine some of Jerez’s favorites wines such as a delicate fino, aged amontillados, fragrant olorosos as well as wine processed from vineyards rendering the Pedro Ximenex grape which blend together in a silky mellow smoothness, just delectable for the palatte.

The finos grape produces a famous style of dry sherry produced from the vineyards in southern Spain. It is naturally dry like all other Jerez wines, but very pale. The exceptional smoothness of some of them is due to a strong natural content of glycerol. Sweet Jerez wines, often called "cream" or amoroso, such as the Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry, all have a strong base of Palomino and owe their sweetness and their aromas of chocolate, spices or candied fruit, to a proportion of Pedro Ximènez. Before being pressed, these grapes are exposed to sunlight until they achieve almost the consistency of raisins, thus resulting in a rich sugar concentrated nectar (or very thick liquid ambrosia--as I say)(1)

The candied fruit, which is an apricot-flavor I taste, is succulent, pungent, a very delicious end to any meal. I like this during the holidays and special occasions but because of the high sugar-content, the next day is rough and a week later if I drink a little for five or seven nights, an abscess might occur like it did this past Christmas and new years. I do love its flavor though, can’t beat it, nothing tastes quite like Harveys.

Directly on the back of this tall very brilliant blue glass 750ml bottle, there is the common government warning: (1) According to the surgeon general, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems. I agree with both statements and thank our government officials who drink this stuff for taking the time to warn us. It is good to know our liquor is regulated, right ?

Besides a warning about how it impairs and causes defects, it also suggests the best way to enjoy this fruity, woody, light amber liquid as your after-dinner dessert drink. It is “delicious when served chilled over ice with a slice of orange”, and yes take it right out of the freezer which it has been in for about 35 minutes and yes, an ice-breaker ! You hear those cubes just cracklin’ at the absorption of yumness coming through as the warmth of this liquid starts to slowly dissipate between water molecules and prepares the drinker to get pleasantly averted to a comfortable ‘altered state’ . . .

The cost can vary in your local grocery store to a more expensive all-out liquor store but I get mine under $16.oo so more than that would be ‘pricey’. It lasts about two weeks if there is only one person drinking it, or can last three months, depends on how many special occasions one has to celebrate it with.

Last but not least after the taste sensation has been thrilled, one can see the sunlight through blues every day of the week if you set these beautiful blue empty bottles on a windowsill and let sunlight pass through them. It makes the ’blues’ not so bad after all and memories of better times come right back at ya.

Ah what Harvey does for the senses, lets hear it for taste and smoothness !


(1) http://www.andalucia.com/cities/jerez/wines.htm

Recommended: Yes

Year: Non-Vintage
Winery Name: Beam Wine Estates/ John Harvey & Sons
Varietal: Other
Designation: Horsham RH12 1st, UK
Country: Spain
State or Region: southern
Price: 14.99
Wine Rating Scale: A must - sensational