The hardest decision I have had to make on the root beer trail thus far has been figuring out if Ithaca belongs in the top tier or is above average. The line is hard but basically if a root beer has a great, complex taste and is one I would search out for again, then it belongs in the top tier territory. And Ithaca hits both of those marks and I still am unsure about it (but it’s my list ha ha). It has a rich, spicy flavor that is not too sweet and gives way to a more mellow, smooth texture as I finished the bottle. As I smelled the root beer, it had an almost overwhelming wintergreen scent but thankfully it only had a hint of it as I drank it. I like the flavor wintergreen but some root beers I’ve tried in the past are overpowered with the flavor and basically become undrinkable. Ithaca is a top tier brand for me, and I’d recommend searching for it.