365 Drinks: #198 Lao Khao red label

Drinking with the locals

We decided to book a nice room in a fancy hotel and relax for the day. So we didn’t do much besides laying in our bed, look outside the massive windows into the green and order room service. No stress, no work just nothing. In the evening we went out for a stroll to discover the area and get some drinks. A local shop owner saw us from the distance and waved us in.

I picked a bottle of what he described as “Thai vodka” but was actually another bottle of Lao Khao, this time with a red label. He immediately congratulated me for my pick. Is that a good or a bad sign? I asked him if you usually just drink it pure? He hesitated and then brought a small bottle of M150, a super strong energy drink. Not sure if I want the energy drink but who knows how bad the Lao Khao is… better get one as well. So back in the hotel room it came to trying it. It was clear and had a sourish-sweet and strongly alcoholic smell to it. I am not sure how strong it is but I think between 30 percent and 40 percent. First I tried a straight shot. It tasted quite strong like alcohol with a plastic-like note to it that wasn’t really pleasant. So I gave it a try with the energy drink. First I put a little bit in it, smelled it, put more in it, smelled it and finally put about half the bottle in before I tried it. It was far better than a straight shot but still pretty bad. Somehow the energy drink brings out the rice flavor of the Lao Khao. Super sweet energy drink with rice? No es bueno. So either way, this drink sucks.

The Breakdown