John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum is produced by R.L. Seale & Co. Ltd. – a family-owned, Barbados-based spirits producer who acquired the John D. Taylor brand in 1993. John D. Taylor began creating their famous Falernum in the late 1800’s, and it is often regarded as the “original” version of the spirit. It is now produced at Foursquare Distillery in Saint Phillip, Barbados. This bottle of Velvet Falernum is made using a rum base, lime, cane sugar, and spices. It is bottled at 22 proof. Bottle Specs ❖ ABV: 11% ❖ Distillery: Foursquare Distillery ❖ Aging: N/A ❖ Price Point: low price My Tasting notes The aroma of this liqueur was very sweet […]
Sotol Onó is produced by Laika Spirits – a Mexican spirits company that produces a selection of various agave and sotol products under different brand names. The production for Sotol Onó is based in Aldama, Chihuahua, and the branding and design are meant to honor the indigenous people of the area, in particular the Tarahumara. This bottle of Sotol is made using the Dasiliryon Cedrosanum variety of the sotol plant, which is roasted in a shallow pit oven. It is macerated in two different stages, starting with an axe, and then a knife. It is then fermented in concrete tanks for about 5-6 days, then distilled twice in copper stills. It is unaged […]
Il Tramonto Limoncello Liqueur is produced by Il Tramonto – an Italy based spirits brand that produces a small lineup of liqueur products using old family recipes. As a brand, they aim to create products that evoke a bright cheerfulness, as represented by their brand name meaning “sunset” in Italian. This particular bottle of Limoncello is made using Sicilian lemons, the rinds of which are steeped in a neutral grain spirit, before being distilled and sweetened. Bottle Specs ❖ ABV: 30% ❖ Distillery: undisclosed (Italy) ❖ Aging: N/A ❖ Price Point: low price My Tasting notes The nose notes of this liqueur were fairly neutral. There wasn’t […]
Sunset Reef Coconut Rum is produced by Toorank International Spirits – a Zevenaar, Netherlands based distiller who produce a variety of different spirits brands to export to worldwide markets. Unfortunately, no production information is disclosed for the Sunset Reef brand spirits. However, this bottle of Coconut Rum is advertised as a liqueur with the “flavour” of coconut and rum, leading me to believe that rum is not the base spirit. Bottle Specs ❖ ABV: 21% ❖ Distillery: Toorank Distilleries ❖ Aging: undisclosed ❖ Price Point: low price My Tasting notes The aroma of this liqueur reminded me of the artificial coconut scent that is often […]
Rear Admiral Joseph’s London Dry Gin is produced by Glen Catrine Distillers – a United Kingdom based spirits producer. Based in Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, Glen Catrine includes the Rear Admiral Joseph’s brand as part of their exports for the American grocery chain Trader Joe’s. Although they don’t disclose information about their production process, this particular bottle of London Dry Gin is advertised as an “original recipe”. It’s not specified what they mean by this, although one can deduce that it refers to one of Glen Catrine’s past gin products. Bottle Specs ❖ ABV: 43% ❖ Distillery: Glen Catrine Distillers ❖ Aging: N/A ❖ Price […]