Top 10 best value for money liqueurs
The cocktail world is hotting up, reviving long-lost liqueur brands with ingenious creations and at the same time inspiring a new wave of flavours. We present our pick of the best value for money brands on the market.
The Spirits Business held its annual Liqueur Masters last month, where an experienced panel of judges recognised the best bottlings in the business.
Looking across multiple categories, from coffee to nut, fruit to mint, a wide range of liqueurs were awarded the top accolades of Master and Gold medals for their quality.
The individual scores of each entrant have not been revealed, however these are 10 of the highest rated medalists in the competition, in no particular order.
While some expressions are not standard priced, our judges have given each liqueur listed here the seal of approval for offering excellent quality within their respective price categories.
Click through to the following pages to view the top 10 best value for money liqueurs of 2016.
Rum Co. of Fiji Coffee Rum Liqueur
Price: approx £25
Rum Co. of Fiji secured a Master medal for its “delicious” Coffee Rum Liqueur, deemed “a perfect representation of a coffee liqueur” by the panel. The expression offered depth of flavour, with the panel identifying notes of chocolate and nut during the tasting. “If you are a coffee drinker, this is what you want,” one judge added.
Mozart White Chocolate Vanilla Cream Liqueur
Price: approx £18
Gold medallist Mozart White Chocolate Vanilla Cream Liqueur took the panel by surprise. Hailed “balanced”, and “not too creamy”, this “definitely different” offering surpassed expectations. Crafted from cream, cocoa butter, Bourbon vanilla, sugar and sugar beet distillate, the liquid is light on alcohol at just 15% abv, and is ideal for use in cocktails.
Aldi Specially Selected Crème de Cassis
Price: approx £8
Aldi UK’s Specially Selected Crème de Cassis secured the highest accolade – a Master medal – at our blind tasting this year. Described as “complex, long and balanced,” with “natural” flavours, the panel praised the liquid’s “leafy green character”and a “lovely freshness”. Overall ,a “really, really good cassis” – impressive.
Joseph Cartron Triple Sec
Price: approx £22
Sweet oranges from Brazil and Florida and bitter oranges from The Ivory Coast and Sicily are used to craft Joseph Cartron’s Triple Sec, which secured a Gold medal. “It’s strong on the nose and keeps on through the palate – a nice finish without being too sweet,” one judge remarked. The panel also felt the liquid would be “great for cocktail use”.
Menthe-Pastille
Price: approx £15
“Perfectly balanced”, and “really fresh”, Giffard’s flagship product Menthe-Pastille was a hit with the judges in the Mint category and duly awarded a Gold. Made in Anjou, Loire Valley, the expression is crafted from Mitcham peppery mint using the same recipe since it was first launched in 1885.
Bellucci Amaretto Liqueur
Price: approx £5
Celebrated for its “perfect aroma”, Aldi UK’s Bellucci Amaretto Liqueur was awarded a Gold medal by the panel. The supermarket chain says the liquid is “lovely served over ice, or in a cocktail”.
Amarula Cream
Price: approx £13
Distell-owned Amarula Cream won a Gold medal from the panel. This South African cream liqueur is made with sugar, cream and the fruit of the marula tree – locally known as the ‘elephant’ or ‘marriage’ tree. “I loved the definition of cream and the slightly tropical notes – nothing was too cloying,” one judge remarked.
Soplica Walnut Liqueur
Price: approx £16
Polish brand Soplica Walnut Liqueur secured a Gold medal in the Nut category for its “walnut whip” flavours which also had “a good helping of chocolate”. Owned by Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC), the liqueur was praised as “the perfect digestif”.
Clarke’s Honey Bourbon Liqueur
Price: approx £12
Aldi UK came up trumps yet again, this time securing a Gold medal for Clarke’s Honey Bourbon Liqueur. With its “herbaceous character” and “delicate honey” notes, the expression was likened to a brandy by the panel. “You just want to put it in a cocktail,” one judge added.
Vedrenne Peach Liqueur
Price: approx £13
“Grown-up sipping liqueur” Peach from Vedrenne was awarded a Gold medal in the Fruit category. The liquid is recommended served on its own, with crushed ice, or in a cocktail such as a Royal Bellini.
