Enjoying Black Cock in Udon Thani

December 14, 2011

I was with my girlfriend recently when I saw a bottle of clear liquor called Black Cock in a store in Udon Thani.

My girlfriend followed my eyes and watched with dismay as my hand went to pick it off the shelf.

She said “don’t buy, it’s only for motos”.

And with that, the deal was sealed and I exited the store the proud owner of a bottle of Black Cock, retailing at 60 baht for a 330ml bottle of 40% proof booze, which I thought would be interesting to taste and to report back on.

Bubble gum meets Grappa

I noticed it was distilled from grain, and wondered if it would be like vodka.

It’’s made in Pathum Thani, so I thought probably not. And I was dead right.

Internet Research

The Thai website says it has a nice smell, and – importantly -it won’t give you a hangover!

That urban myth adds about 99% to vodka’s sales in the West, so, if true, what would it do for Black Cock’s sales among expats in Thailand?

I decided to find out.

My Tasting Notes:

An unusually cheeky bubble gum aroma, combined with the smell of paint-stripper, with strong spirituous overtones. Definitely pungent on the nose.

My first reaction was to loudly exclaim: “F*CK!” because of the high spirit content, although its taste wasn’t that bad, if you happen to like bubble gum mixed into a high-octane Grappa.

I liked it, or got used to it, after the second gulp - or was I just pissed. Who really knows.

I certainly didn't.

Conclusion

It is by no means the worst Thai booze I have tasted and I could get used to it. In fact, I ended up polishing off the whole bottle during the evening.

But they're liars, because I DID have a hangover next day.

Incredibly, the store refused to give me a refund when I staggered back there with the empty bottle to complain about having a hangover the following day.

Unbelievable.