This was my first experience of Steve’s after spending months enviously staring at pictures on this website of pints like Sunday Morning and NOLA Coffee & Donuts in envy. Steve’s as an ice cream company stands out as a unique outfit and Small Batch Vanilla Bourbon is not a flavor like anything I have had before. The Brooklyn-based company promises “Homestyle Vanilla Ice Cream Infused with Intoxicating Small Batch Bourbon.” Each bite was infused as the label promised with the issue being that the aftertaste of each bite became a tad unpleasant after a while. In addition to the vanilla ice cream base, the each bite offered an aromatic vanilla spice that supplemented the overall taste.
The high butterfat content was apparent upon lifting the lid. My spoon faced a bending resistance for ten minutes, but it was not so great as to stress my hand. The resistance withered upon uncovering the top layer and scooping became an easier endeavor. The best bites were located in between that second layer till about half way through the pint. Unfortunately, that was when the infusion became a tad overpowering, but it was probably more desirable than a plain vanilla. Usually when eating a flavor devoid of mixins or crunch, that added element is missed but the infusion should compensate finely.
My recommendation would be that this flavor’s best utility is as a topper, in combination with some other flavor that would temper its strength, or as a sundae base. I will definitely give an endorsement to the enhancement of a vanilla flavor and my first Steve’s experience. I look forward to scooping other unique flavors that this line offers.
Where Arjun Found It: Whole Foods
Arjun's Grade: B