John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum
About John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum
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, with a nice warm spice blend that smelled very natural. It was difficult to pinpoint the individual spices, but I sensed a bit of nutmeg and allspice. There was also a custard-like aroma in the background.
I took my first sip, and there was lime in the front, with a clear honey taste in the finish. It was overall very sweet, even for a sweet tooth like me who can tolerate a lot of sugar on my tastebuds. I found it to be very delicious!
Cocktail
Corn 'N Oil
❖ 2oz barbados rum
❖ 1/2 oz falernum
- Add the ingredients to an old-fashioned glass with crushed ice.
- Gently stir.
- Garnish with a lime slice if desired.
This liqueur was nice inside of a cocktail, although I wish I had used different ratios to make my Corn ‘N Oil. Unfortunately, the only Barbados rum that I had left in my cabinet was one that we gave 1 star. With a 4:1 ratio of rum to falernum, the harshness of the rum really overpowered the flavors of the falernum. The day after my tasting, I made another Corn ‘N Oil with a 1:1 ratio, and found it to be much tastier, as the sweetness and the lime flavor had a chance to balance the rum. With a higher quality rum, this would not be a problem, but I recommend considering your ratios carefully based on what rum you have on hand.
Bottom Line
RATING: 5/5
At the end of the day, I really enjoyed trying out this bottle of John D Taylor’s Velvet Falernum, and can see why it’s the go-to falernum brand for many people. The spice notes taste nice and natural, and the sweetened lime flavor is delightful in a cocktail.
In addition, I feel that it’s a good value, being one of the most affordable falernum products on the market. I definitely recommend trying out John D Taylor’s Velvet Falernum if you get the chance, and I look forward to using it in different cocktails.
As always, drink responsibly.
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