Maola Egg Nog

A few of you from North Carolina have asked me about Maola, and, based on a cursory internet search, I thought it was not going to be available here in Minnesota.

On my quest to Costco to find the Kirkland (see guest review below!), I happened upon Maola, so I grabbed a container.

Boy, am I glad I did!

This is a delightful and very tasty egg nog. It has the right amount of all the good stuff: sweetness, thickness, and spices. It’s not real heavy, and there is not a single unpleasant thing about it, in my book.

Maola gets a healthy 8.5/10 from me. Really nice. Happy to use this as a go-to whenever I can find it, which may not be often because it may only be available here at Costco.

Guest Review: Kirkland Traditional Holiday Egg Nog Liqueur

From: Shannon Hammond in Sykesville, Maryland

Allow me to preface this entire review by saying that I am not an egg nog connoisseur. To be honest, I don’t even seek it out around the holidays. If it’s at a party, or if my husband brings some home (like this time) or someone suggests it, then I’m game. However, I can’t recall a single occasion when I’ve gone looking for some egg nog. So take my endorsement with the weight it deserves—very little. 

Kirkland knocked this one out of the park. 

The label description says it’s, “made with real dairy cream, whiskey, spiced rum, brandy, and French vanilla.”  14.75% abv/29.5 proof. 

This is entirely drinkable straight from the bottle, without modification. I didn’t pay attention to spice flecks or shades of cream. But, to me, this had the perfect bite of warm liquor and all of the sweet richness of non-alocholic egg nog that I would expect. 

After the first taste, I did add about 1/4 oz of bourbon but that was just a poor, late night decision—not because it needed a kick. I also garnished it with fresh grated nutmeg and cinnamon just because I’m a foodie and I like things to look as good as they taste. 

To make sure the nog was thoroughly chilled, I shook it vigorously in a shaker with ice before pouring over a large single ice cube. Hard to say if the dilution of the ice changed the consistency or not but it was still luscious and creamy and spicy and boozy. 

With such limited scope of reference…I give this a 10/10! 😂

I really hope Rusty can get his hands on a bottle so he can either affirm my review or tell me I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about.

Special Presentation: Egg Nog and Dr. Pepper!

Darigold EggNog (Extra Rich and Creamy!)

I picked up some Darigold (I went to college with a girl named Dari) Egg Nog at the local Walmart today. It’s label extols its richness and it’s creaminess! Oh boy!

It got the creamy part right, that’s for sure. It’s thicker than my favorite brands, but not gluey. And that’s a good thing.

It has a backhand of spices which finishes nicely and surprisingly. I liked that.

Good flavor. Definitely not as sweet as I’d prefer. Suitable, I’d say.

Going to go ahead and give this one a solid 7.0/10. I like it. It can stay out of the French Toast Pile. It’s much, much better than Kemp’s. But, then again, just about everything is.

Bonus Coverage!

Jeni’s Ice Cream: Boozy Egg Nog

Sure, it’s ice cream, and, not strictly speaking, *just* egg nog.

But this is my blog, and I’ll do what I want.

Jeni’s Ice Cream is a favorite in our family, and this variety is a quality addition to that canon of creaminess.

In fact, it tastes almost exactly like a glass of one of my top-five nogs with a splash of a little brown liquor.

I’ve stayed away from egg nog-flavored whatnots on this blog and in general because, like banana flavoring, egg nog flavoring can really be awful, in my opinion. Like dentist chair toothpaste awful.

This is not awful. Far from it. A really nice treat that you should pick up if you, like me, enjoy ice cream AND egg nog. What a time to be alive!

Bolthouse Farms Holiday Nog

Picked this up at the store and I wish I hadn’t, frankly.

I’ve never drunk latex paint, but this may be what it tastes like.

Don’t waste time with the French Toast, don’t bother putting it in coffee, and don’t bother wasting a drop of brown liquor with it (in THIS economy!?)

It’s terrible. Purely and fully terrible.

1.5/10.

Sweet Science Ice Cream Eggnog

First new nog of 2025!

I tried Sweet Science Ice Cream ‘s egg nog tonight for the first time, and I am here to tell you it is premium, top-shelf, pack-up-the-babies-and-grab-the-old-ladies deeeeelicious.

In short, it’s absolutely everything you want egg nog to be: creamy, sweet, not too thick, and with a hint of spices. It tastes exactly like a bowl of melted ice cream. Ice cream made by The Beatles.

Sweet Science is made in St. Paul, so good luck finding this far from the Twin Cities. It was sold to us—frozen— at a VERY premium price at Golden Fig on Grand Avenue.

I am ranking this a 9.5 out of 10!

Prairie Farms Egg Nog

Is it possible something can be chalky and gummy at the same time?

Apparently.

We were down in the west metro earlier today, and in a Lunds & Byerly’s I came across a brand I hadn’t tried before. So in the cart it went.

I should have left it on the shelf, friends.

I am not a fan of this brand. It tastes artificially sweetened, which isn’t good for anybody. The texture is all wrong, it smelled funny, and the aftertaste was similar to a Tums.

I am not sure I’m even putting this into the “may be better for French toast pile.”

Sorry/not sorry. This one is a 3.8 out of 10.

Target Brand update…

I stopped by my local Target to check on the availability of the store brand, which, as noted, is now called Favorite Day.

Compared to year’s past, it seems to be better in-stock. I am not sure if this is because Target decided to ramp up its production and distribution….or, just as likely…if people still don’t realize that it’s the same old store brand recipe.

Either way–I’m glad it’s staying in-stock for now! Grabbed a couple more to throw in the freezer.

You, just in cases.

HyVee Classic Eggnog

Got ahold of some HyVee house blend while I was out looking for one of my all-time favorites, the Iowa brand Anderson Ericksen (found at HyVee here in the Twin Cities).

Anywho, the HyVee isn’t too bad. It’s a serviceable store brand nog.

It pours thin, but tastes thick.

There isn’t a ton of spice, therefore the flavor is a bit more muted.

I certainly rank it far from Target’s store brands, but definitely ahead of most all Kemps brands (not a high threshold, friends!).

My rating? 6.0

My first video review!
Kellogg’s Eggo Nog Applachian Sippin’ Cream Egg Nog Liqueur

Califia Farms Holiday Nog (Almond Milk)

Here I go again with a non-dairy nog selection.

Should I put the caveat about my not really enjoying (and my stomach not really enjoying) non-dairy products? Or not seeking them out?

Unlike some of the other non-dairy varieties I’ve tried in the name of this blessed creative space, this concoction, in my estimation, had zero taste and really zero nog-like qualities.

I even put it over some cereal this morning, and it did very little.

If dairy-free is your jam, no matter the reason, but you’re still looking for a nog experience, this is not the way to go.

This one goes in the “unranked” file, along with some other non-dairy options. It should actually go lower than that.

First Review of 2022: Kemps Santa’s Reserve Holiday Nog

I, seemingly surprisingly, found a bottle of Kemps Santa’s Reserve Holiday Nog on the shelf of my favorite Target last night, so I grabbed it.

It wasn’t until I arrived back at home that I realized it (clearly) stated on the label “Egg-Free.” So that’s why it’s called “holiday nog.” Alrighty, then.

Listen, I don’t want to go too far out on a limb here…but…I am going to say that Kemps may have redeemed itself here.

This is a tasty beverage. Sweet. Light. Not too tangy. Not cough-syruppy like most all of the other Kemps egg nog varieties (again–ask yourself–why are there always so many cartons of Kemps’ various nogs on store shelves? hmm?)

Rather smooth. It would pair well with your favorite brown liquor, methinks, also.

Going to give it a solid 7.5.

And…we’re back!

Here are the places from whence I received nog reports in 2020!

Nog Map!

Tuesday Twin Spin

I hosted another taste testing party at work today. 

Target/Market Pantry “Heavy” (Regular) Egg Nog

Honestly, I can not remember the last time I saw Target Heavy available in a store. Maybe that’s because it’s not as readily available as the Target Light, which loyal readers will know, ranks very highly on my personal rankings.  Perhaps it’s also because I am too intent on trying to spot the Target Light cartons (white) in the stores that I miss the Target Heavy (red) cartons.

The point is: neither is really ever very available here in greater Twin Cities–Target territory for sure–because they are really damn tasty.

And the Light is…well…light.

But I digress.

Target Heavy has the same great taste as Light. It is delightfully creamy but not necessarily too thick. The biggest difference is the texture.

Certainly the Light goes easy on the actual cream and fat and is lower in sugar, so that would account for a different texture. The sugar present in Heavy that is not in Light does not promote an abundance of sweetness compared to, say the Anderson Erickson or even the Autumnwood Farms varieties.

I like the Target Heavy. I still would reach for the Light, though.

If I could ever even find it ever even again.

I’m giving Target Heavy and healthy 8.5 on The Scale, based on that great Target taste and it’s overall pleasantness (relative to The Standard).

Land O’ Lakes Traditional Egg Nog

I’m not going to lie. I’ve had this on my list all season, and I am glad I popped in to the delightfully retro–yet still sorta dark and scary–Roseville Lunds & Byerlys to pick up the Land O’ Lakes. The store was in a location not too terribly far away from the corporate headquarters of the brand that is synonymous with creamy butter and other delightful dairy products.

Now, I thought the same of Kemps. Surely, a company with such delightful dairy products like Kemps ice cream and cream products can make a tasty egg nog. Boy was I wrong. Again–just look to see how much Kemps inventory is still available in your grocery store compared to other brands. As my college band director liked to say: “A million flies can’t be wrong!”

But I digress.

Land O’ Lakes is not great. It’s better than Kemps. I mean, everything is better than Kemps. 

The visible spices are a nice touch. It’s also extremely creamy. Better stated, it’s just creamy enough to be noticeable. And kinda annoyingly so.

I don’t find that there’s a ton of taste here. 

It’s disappointing. 

I’m putting Land O’ Lakes squarely into the “this’ll make some dynamite French toast!” category.

Land O’ Lakes gets a score of 4.1 on The Scale.

Greg Tucker’s Family Recipe – Hide The Car Keys!

When I started the Facebook egg nog activity this autumn–content that ultimately resulted in the creation of this blog–a friend of mine who lives in the Carolinas sent me comments about a family recipe. The more he told me, the more it sounded like it was more akin to Beowulf than a recipe. 

(Quick background: Greg Tucker is the father of one of my high school classmates. Through the magic of Facebook, he and I have become friends of sorts. It didn’t hurt that he and his wife retired to the coast of Southeastern North Carolina and could watch our TV station where I used to anchor the news. Facebook has been a blessing in reconnecting with folks!)

There were claims of multiple days’ prep time, the inclusion of a dozen eggs (a DOZEN!), and what sounded like half of the inventory of Mickey Finn’s liquor store (pride of Florence, SC).

He said he couldn’t find it.

Then, the other night, he found it.

Ho-ly crap.

By virtue of volume, this is meant to serve a huge group of people.

Greg wrote the following: “Despite the ingredients it is so smooth and frothy and rich you only taste a wonderful event. It is not cheap and it takes a couple of days and it makes a lot but it’s perfect for a large holiday gathering.”

Not many of us are having “large holiday gatherings” this year. At least I hope not. 

Also, I’m the only person in my house who drinks nog, so that’s another reason for me to attempt this recipe any time soon. 

But Greg goes on to make big claims about how well this beverage plays among those gatherings:

So, be advised.

Nevertheless, this is the kind of stuff that makes egg nog, the holidays, and just sharing recipes and traditions so special. I am so glad Greg shared it with me (and gave me permission to share on this forum). It’s pretty cool. Recipes are  a primary source of history. It’s family. It’s tradition. It’s special.

Let me know if you attempt this. Good luck! Please be safe!

Late Night Delivery: Nog on my door step!

I wanted a couple of things from the grocery store, but on a distance learning day I just didn’t have the brain space to pack up my eight-year-old for a masked (and expedited) trip to the grocery store. Plus, it was pay day. 

So, I placed an Amazon Fresh order (we normally do Instacart for Cub Foods for weekly groceries) and got what I needed, in addition to two nogs they had in stock that I wanted to try again anew.

Whole Foods Market/365 Grade A Egg Nog

I have tried this brand before, but it’s been a while. In years past, we’ve spent many Christmases with relatives down in Austin, TX. They shop primarily at Whole Foods, and I’d grab one of these to enjoy during our visit.

It’s a serviceable beverage, I’d say. It’s close to Kowalski’s brand, but not quite as good. It’s definitely better than the Schroeder brand we tried the other day.

It’s not too sweet. It’s got real nice flavor. It’s not quite as thick as Kowalski’s.

I feel like this would be a good booze mixer, because it wouldn’t overpower the booze, and the booze may not overpower it.

I’m giving 365 a 6.7 on The Scale.

Horizon Organic Lowfat Egg Nog

Y’all.

What a revelation.

I had tried this brand in the 2019 season, but for some reason left it off my rankings.

That’s a good thing, because I decided to give it another go, and I’m glad I did.

This is some fine, fine nog.

Summer recently reviewed it in our Guest Rankings, and she said it was a family favorite!

I can see why! It’s sweet, but certainly not in an overpowering way. It’s got sufficient flavor and spice, but, again, not in an overpowering way. It also has a “low fat” quality to it that you can taste, but it doesn’t seem like it’s lacking anything, either. Much like Target Light.

Consider my horizon broadened AND sweetened by this experience.

I’m giving Horizon Organic Low Fat a healthy 8.0 on The Scale. It’s up there, y’all.

It also appears to be available in a lot of stores, so give it a shot! I’ll be stocking up!

Target SCARCE

While certainly there are larger issues in the world, we’ve already reached the point in the season where the Target/Market Pantry Light Egg Nog supplies are scary low in the Land of 10,000 Targets where I live.

This happens immediately after Thanksgiving every year, it seems. A cursory glance at Target.com shows it is not in stock in most stores around me (and, compared to my east coast friends, there are MANY Target stores near me, and the corporate headquarters are less than 10 miles from my house).

It’s a good thing I stocked up when I did (in freaking October, but here we are!) and put some cartons in the freezer.

Currently, I have one nearly de-frosted in the refrigerator and one in the freezer still.

I’ve convinced a few people elsewhere (where supplies are not in such dire circumstances) to try this variety, and they love it!

Alas, I’ll keep my eyes peeled. I’m not quite to the point of showing up at Targets right when they open to try to procure some.

Yet.

Schroeder Premium Egg Nog (Holiday Favorite, Grade A)

Today we tried another Twin Cities concoction, from Schroeder (St. Paul). I’m not sure if the accolades (Holiday Favorite, Grade A) are part of the title or not. Just notice that Coca-Cola doesn’t include it in its title. 

But I digress.

In the 2019 season, the same contributor (my co-worker, who is running her own nog rankings with her daughter at home) brought in Schroeder Light that she, like this year, purchased at Festival Foods.

I scored it 5.8 on The Scale. Not too bad. Not great, but not bad.

Well…the Holiday Favorite, Grade A version is much thicker, with tons of spice. It has plenty of sugar, but it’s not inappropriate. 

This is some thick business, for sure. 

Some nutmeg- and cinnamon-forward thick business. But suitable.

I’m going for a 6.6 on The Scale. It’s good. Not bad. 

Thick.

Day After Thanksgiving Twofer: Non-Dairy Varieties

It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and I decided to wash down some leftovers at lunch with two varieties of non-dairy nog drinks that I was able to grab at Target this morning when I went in to get a few things.

Also, I’ve been putting this off but some of you have been beating the vegan drum on this, so I knew I had to do it sooner or later.

I realize there are a variety of reasons why people who may love egg nog can not or choose not to consume dairy-based products.

I also realize that I do not make soy- or almond-based products a part of my regular diet, so I am not attuned to the way those products may taste.

First Up: Silk Original Nog

Right away, I missed the creaminess. This stuff is thin. Real thin, like thinner than Holiday Inn coffee creamer.

The good news is it smells like the real deal. 

But, to me, it does not taste at all like the real deal.

I am not really overwhelmed with this product. 

It probably does go well in my coffee, so I will hold on to it for that reason.

Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog

I also tried Almond Breeze, which immediately makes me think of Seals and Crofts.

But I digress.

This is much creamier than Silk, but it has a strange smell. Again, if most almond-based liquids have this smell, I am simply not used to it.

To be honest, it tastes like what you find in the bottom of a dish of frozen yogurt.

There is some texture, but not what I am used to.

As Saul Goodman likes to say: “Let’s get down to brass tacks here.”

I am not sure how to rate either of these varieties. I do not think that either should go on the same scale as the others simply because they are too different from the rest.

I would have to rate Almond Breeze slightly higher than Silk. I really don’t know why.

Maybe I’ll let you know after I mix it with my coffee.

Promised Land Dairy Limited Edition Old-Fashioned Eggnog

First of all, Promised Land: Take it easy with the descriptors. It’s egg nog. I am not sure what makes egg nog not “traditional,” or perhaps even not “old-fashioned,” but we get the picture here.

But I digress.

My co-worker was able to procure a container of this deliciousness at her local Aldi. Otherwise, the only place in the Cities that it seems to be available is Sam’s Club.

Straight away, we noticed that it’s not horribly thick or slappy, and the color doesn’t seem artificial like others.

The taste is best described, I think, as “homemade.” It’s very pleasant. It’s far less sweet than Anderson Erickson. But it’s really quite nice. 

To me, it drinks like a dessert all on its own. 

I am very pleased with the Promised Land experience, and I am rating it a 7.8 on The Scale.

“Is…is this…Heaven?”

“No. It’s Iowa.”

“Coulda sworn it was Heaven.”

Review: Anderson Erickson Dairy Classic Egg Nog

So, my Iowa correspondent has tried a few of my graded recommendations, but she also pushed me in recent days to search out Iowa’s own Anderson Erickson Classic Egg Nog, made by the dairy of the same name from her home state.  

True to form, my preliminary research showed it was available in the Twin Cities at HyVee grocery stores, which makes sense. HyVee is also from Iowa. 

The similarities do not end there, friends.

This is a delicious, sweet, and not-too-thick egg nog. I really enjoyed it. The sugar content is sky-high, of course, but man, is it delicious. The spices are balanced but not overpowering. The aftertaste is not at all bothersome. It truly tastes like the best vanilla ice cream you’ve ever had, and it’s even creamier than that.

There’s a shake-up afoot in the standings, though nothing will be official perhaps until the end of the season.

For its considerable merits, I am scoring Anderson Erickson Classic Egg Nog at 9.2.

For those scoring at home (and for those of you by yourselves), that moves it ahead of Target Light.  Now, Target Light is a) more accessible at this point in the season and 2) it’s LIGHT, so it’s an easier drink and you don’t feel AS terrible about your personal well-being for consuming it semi-frequently. That has a lot of merit, in addition to its other fine qualities.

But I digress.

This is about AE Classic. Very, very nice. 

Thank you, Iowa!

Thirsty Thursday!

Today we (the intern at our station and me) tried not one, not two, but THREE different egg nog varieties.

The subsequent heartburn is simply to serve you, the nog nation.

First up: Kowalski’s Old-Fashioned Premium Eggnog

For friends on the east coast, it’s kinda hard to describe Kowalski’s grocery stores. This is mostly because they are nicer than most east coast chains.

They’re a Minnesota chain, and I suppose it’s a cross between a Whole Foods and a Trader Joe’s. It’s a nice, seemingly upscale, organics-centric chain that includes stores with smaller footprints, dim lighting, and lots of really delicious, fresh offerings. And pricing to match.

I think I have tried the store brand somewhere along the way, but really can’t recall.

I was glad to pick up a small jug, but dismayed at the number of adjectives on the label.

Take it easy, Kowalski’s.

Anyway, it’s a lovely nog to drink. It’s very, very smooth and carries a distinctive taste. There is a healthy dose of spices, but none that really steal the show.  It also really tastes like sugar. That can be a good or a bad thing. I like it.

I’m going to rate this a 6.9 on The Scale. It’s good. Not the best, and certainly not the worst.

It’s what I would expect from Kowalski’s. Love you, mean it.

Next up: Trader Joe’s Light Egg Nog

So a couple of people have asked if I’ve tried this variety. No, I had not. Mainly because I am not really a Trader Joe’s disciple. There are some locations not far from where we live, but they’re also not exactly convenient to where we live. The stores are located closer to the Twin Cities, and getting to them from our house, on the extreme northern exurbs, takes a smidgen of effort. Also, I don’t really get the hysteria. Nice store, though.

Anyway, the egg nog from ole Joe was really…different.

When the intern looked into her cup, she said: “It looks like there’s an egg yolk in there. Like I think we should add some salt and pepper and pour this in a pan so we can scramble it up.”

Well, she’s right.

The texture of this and the taste is like…eggs.

Yes, I know, Forrest, that “egg” is literally in the name of “egg nog.” But this really is…eggy.

It’s very sweet, but not like the Kowalski’s brand is sweet. It’s a…different sweet. Perhaps because it’s the “light” variety.

I don’t know what else to say. It’s not awful like Kemps. But it’s far, far from The Standard.

I’m giving TJ’s Light Egg Nog a grade of 4.9 on The Scale. I do not think I’ll drink any more of it.

Finally today: Organic Valley Eggnog

It was on the shelf next to the store brand at Kowalski’s, so, I said to myself: “Self? Do I have seven extra bucks?” I did.

I wish I’d saved my money.

Compared to the other two tastes of the day, the texture is way, way different. It’s *sorta* smooth, but also, regrettably, *rather* chalky. Not as chalky as our beleaguered friend Hood Light.

But I digress.

You can definitely taste the nutmeg. It’s among the many ingredients that kind of give this a sand-like texture. Not at all pleasant.

I’m giving this a score of 2.9 on The Scale. I will not be drinking any more of it. Good-bye, seven bucks!

Review: Hood Light Eggnog

Another co-worker submission, and this time it was Hood Light Eggnog.

“Hood Light” is not as romantic as it may sound, like a regal ornament on the front of a Rolls Royce or something.

In this case, it would do well to hitch a ride on an AMC Pacer.

I sipped on it first, and I said to my assembled panel (co-worker and our supremely capable and game-for-anything intern) that there seemed to be a lingering…something…on top of the sweetness and lack of Kemps-esque slap.

Co-worker tried it, and she correctly and deftly identified it as “chalkiness.”

Nailed it.

This tastes well enough, but, oh. That chalkiness.

No, thank you.

Hood Light earns a 4.2 on The Scale. Not the worst, but far, far away from The Standard.

Review: Autumnwood Farm (Forest Lake, MN) Egg Nog

Today my co-worker and I sampled a Minnesota product, and we were pleasantly rewarded for our decision.  She purchased a hefty glass jug of Autumnwood Farm Egg Nog at our local Festival grocery store.  The nog is made by a family-run farm and dairy in Forest Lake, MN, just up the road from where I live.

Right away, as my co-worker points out, the packaging nearly adds a point all by itself. The glass jar and bizarre lid add, in her words, “the feeling of a luxury item” to the entire experience. No cheap cardboard cartons here, y’all. Pure, powerful goodness.

The color and the ability to see the spices through the jar keep the good feelings going.

The lid is different than any lid I’ve ever encountered on any pre-packaged beverage ever. For a less-than-coordinated person, this was a bit of a challenge at first. 

Also, it’s not clear to anyone who is not already familiar with Autumnwood products (like me) what “Tasty” on the bottle refers to. Is that the product name? Is it made to be a throwback? Is it bragging? No one knows. Well, someone knows. But I don’t know.

But I digress.

The nog itself is really very, very nice. It tastes fresh, it has a healthy dose of cinnamon and spices. It’s not as thick as some store brands, and that makes it very enjoyable.

Going big on this one, and according to The Scale, I’m rating it a solid 8.0. Very nice.

The Nog Correspondence Continues To Roll In!

I continue to be amazed by the number of reports I get from friends in many, many states about the egg nogs they’re buying and trying. Just yesterday I received a review from a friend who recently moved to Iowa AND I was texting with another friend in South Carolina about some big news in his family, but he wanted first to show me he was trying one of my top five. I love this! Keep ’em coming! 

“Subjacent Orange:” Kemps Vanilla Egg Nog and Kemps Pumpkin Spice Holiday Nog

My eight-year-old and I tried two varieties of Kemps nogs this morning.  To be fair, and as is well-documented on this site and my social media pages, I do not prefer Kemps nogs. I really think it’s got a disgusting texture and thickness, and based on how delicious Kemps ice cream is, I am highly disappointed.

But, I wanted to try some varieties I hadn’t tried. So I picked up both the Vanilla Egg Nog and (at my daughter’s urging) the Pumpkin Spice Holiday Nog varieties at my local Festival Foods.

The flavor of the Vanilla was better than Kemps standard or even Holly Nog, but it still lacks flavor compared to Target Light, or, certainly, The Standard (see below ranking), and it still had that awful Kemp’s texture–akin to Robitussin but not as pleasant.

My daughter tried Target Light again last night, and seemed to enjoy it (last winter, she told me it “tastes like medicine). Today she tried Vanilla Kemps and said she didn’t like it as much as she liked Target Light.

BUT she really liked the Kemps Pumpkin Spice Holiday Nog. I am not surprised.

To me, it tasted like the milk at the bottom of a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch…with less of the Kemps funk but still a rather annoying texture. I think if this isn’t explicitly “egg nog,” that would account for the different thickness and aftertaste. But it also didn’t necessarily taste like pumpkin pie. I honestly don’t remember what a Starbucks PSL tastes like, because, well, I don’t typically overpay for caffeine when I can brew some at home.

Also, it’s orange. And not in a good way. I’m calling it “subjacent orange,” since I looked it up and “subjacent” is an antonym for “incumbent.”

I think we’ll hold on to the PSHN and probably discard the Vanilla Egg Nog. We’ll hold on to it for her sake, friends.

According to The Scale (see below), I rank Kemps Vanilla Egg Nog a 4.5 and Kemps Pumpkin Spice Holiday Nog a 4.

First Review of 2020 – Fireball Cinnamon Holiday Nog