I have a bottle of King's Ginger I bought more than a year ago, expecting something like Stone's Ginger Wine but more -- ah, sophisticated, in keeping with its elevated price.

Imagine my surprise when I tasted it and found it almost revolting.

Now, I am not what the French call a "fin bec", nor am I fussy about food and drink except with respect to quality. As a confirmed ginger fan, I was eager to like King's Ginger. But it was not to be.

I find that King's Ginger tastes rather like what cheap perfume smells of -- unfortunately, not ginger. On top of that, it's very sweet.

I'll try that concoction of BobL's some time soon, at a time when I don't have to go anywhere or do anything intelligent. If the concoction is not a success, the King's Ginger goes down the sink.