Is Cinnamint Rumple Minze the New Fireball? I Tasted It to Find Out

If you’re a bartender or if you’re friends with bartenders, then chances are you’ve had Rumple Minze. The peppermint schnapps is a common “handshake shot” along with Fernet Branca and Malort, shared between industry folks. Against all odds, Rumple Minze is cool. It’s also 100-proof, so it’s not playing around.

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And now, Rumple Minz has come out with an all new take on what is often referred to as “Bartender’s Mouthwash.” It’s Rumple Minze Cinnamint Whiskey. Inspired by a Fire & Ice Shot (equal parts Rumple Minze and Fireball), this new spirit blends the heat of cinnamon with the icy cool of peppermint in one bottle.

Is it any good? Will bartenders be kicking off after-hours hangs with shots of it? I poured myself an ice-cold shot and slowly sipped it (even though it’s absolutely not designed to be a sipping whiskey) to find out.

New Rumple Minze!

Rumple Minze Cinnamint Whiskey

Total Wine

Pros: It definitely delivers on the promise of the premise. It starts off with a strong cinnamon heat and then finishes minty fresh. It’s strong, for sure—you’ll feel it in your chest—but it goes down easy, which is exactly what you want out of a shot. I particularly appreciate that it’s not too crazy sweet. So many spirits that are designed to be shots (*cough*Fireball*cough*) are so, so sweet and almost thick. Rumple Minze Cinnamint is crisp and clean and not like taking a shot of liquid candy.

Cons: It definitely has a mouthwash thing going on. It smells like something you’re meant to gargle and then spit out. So you have to convince your brain that it’s okay to swallow it. It also has limited use. It’s good for shots. You could sip it as a digestif. But I don’t think you’re going to be mixing this into everyday cocktails. But it wasn’t designed to be used for much more than shots. My one final note is that I didn’t get any whiskey notes, even though it advertises itself as whiskey on the label.

Verdict: If you’re looking for a fun new shot that’s still super strong without being straight tequila or whiskey, Rumple Minze Cinnamint is a terrific option. Order it when you’re out at a dive bar, you’ll get the respect of the bartender and your breath will smell great.

Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

About the Author

Hi! I’m the editor-in-chief of Sporked. I will never turn down a fresh-shucked oyster but I’ll also leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and I love a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients. Why you should trust me: I have been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and am an avid at-home cook and snacker. I began my career writing about fine dining and recipes, moved into cocktails and spirits, and now I talk about groceries. If you can eat it or drink it, I’ve probably written about it. What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s dried okra. Appleton Farms prosciutto from Aldi. Some sort of Trader Joe’s cheese (I’m into the aged gouda at the moment). Frozen waffles (usually the Eggo Cinnamon Toast Minis). Spindrift water (loving the Cosmopolitan right now). Favorite ranking: Smoked salmon. Imagine me as Scrooge McDuck but instead of coins I’m diving into a vault of slippery smoked salmon slices. Pure joy. I also found some real steals in that taste test! Least favorite ranking: Canned oysters. I had such high hopes for this but it quickly became a chore. The kitchen smelled like an uncleaned aquarium.