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The top 10 best value for money liqueurs

As enthusiasm for cocktails translates into at-home consumption, liqueur brands are finally beginning to step out of the shadows. We round up the best value for money expressions on the market.

These are our best value for money liqueur 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 2017.

Licor 43 Orochata

Price: £17.50

Claiming a Master in the Cream liqueurs flight was Spain’s Licor 43 Orochata. One judge praised the expression for its “lovely flavours of nuts and spices and marzipan on the palate”. Another described its similarity to a “well-baked cake”.

Licor 43 Orochata is based on a traditional recipe from Valencia. The production process involves Licor 43-infused tiger nuts, and the product offers notes of spice and citrus. Unlike traditional cream liqueurs, it is vegetable-based and contains no cream.

Cold Brewed Koffielikeur

Price: £16.49

Described as a “great sweetener in any cocktail”, De Keleine Distilleerderij’s Cold Brewed Koffielikeur grabbed a Master in the Coffee flight. One judge noted: “It would make a great Espresso Martini and I’d even recommended to any of muy quests if they ordered an Espresso Martini to just drink this instead.” It is derived from Ina Aponte coffee beans, which have been roasted locally. The coffee variety is said to have a “typical” flavour of chocolate and dark cherry. The Dutch distillery was founded earlier this year in Zeewolde.

Fair Açaí

Price: £18

Grabbing a Master in the Fruit flight was Mangrove’s Fair Açaí, lauded for having the “best nose of the entire flight”. Another judge praised it for having a “fantastic balance” and being “smooth and gentle”. The liqueur is made using açai – a “superfood” berry from the Amazon rainforest.  The superfood berry is bursting with antioxidants, fibre and ‘good’ fats, and is celebrated for its anti-ageing and immune system-boosting properties, among others. It is in line with all of Fair’s products, which are organic and Fairtrade certified.

The Lakes Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur

Price: £27.95

The Lakes Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur was praised for its “light nose of butterscotch and spice, incredibly well-structured palate, hints of cocoa nib, coconut, and butter clotted cream fudge”. The Master-winning expression is bottled at 25% abv and is recommended served neat or in cocktails.

Saber Elyzia Black Currants

Price: £22

Master medallist Saber Elyzia Black Currants was lauded for its “big but very balanced flavours” in the Fruit flight. Part of Alexandrion Group’s Saber Elyzia premium collection, the expression is bottled at 30% abv and made with 100% natural fruits. It is said to be created using the most advanced methods in liqueur production.

Aldi Specially Selected Crème de Cassis

Price: £6.99

Also grabbing a Master in the Cassis flight was Aldi Specially Selected Crème de Cassis. One judge noted: “This is vicious and ripe with a hint of cherry on the end, and a long finish with a good mouthfeel.” Another praised the expression for being “pleasantly light on the back palate and smooth”.

Mozart Dark Chocolate

Price: £18

Mozart Dark Chocolate grabbed a Gold medal, and was praised for its “balanced savoury touch and bittersweet cocoa finish”. The expression blends “delicately bitter dark chocolate” and 87 cocoa pure cocoa macerate. It is recommended served in cocktails or as a “sophisticated” addition to certain desserts.

Vedrenne Peach Liqueur

Price: £15

Vedrenne’s Peach Liqueur was awarded a Master medal in the Fruit liqueurs flight. One judge described it as “delicate and floral”, while another noted its “wonderful long palate”. The liquid is recommended served on its own, with crushed ice, or in a cocktail such as a Royal Bellini.

Giffard Caribbean Pineapple Premium Liqueur

Price: £18

Giffard’s Caribbean Pineapple Premium Liqueur was said to be “very ripe and natural”, grabbing a Master medal in the Fruit category. One judge noted its nostalgic taste: “it tasted just like a pineapple sweet from when I was a little kid.” The expression is a mix of fresh pineapples, candied pineapple infusion, seven-year-old Caribbean rum, and spices. The product was created to capitalise on growing momentum behind tiki cocktails, according to Giffard, a family-run producer of liqueurs and syrups based in Angers, France.

Ancho Reyes

Price: £35

A Gold medal was also awarded to Ancho Reyes – said to have an “interesting chilli heat’”. The expression is based on a 1927 recipe from Puebla, a town in Mexico known for its ancho chiles, which are dried and smoked poblanos. The liqueur is recommended added to classic cocktails like the Margarita, Daiquiri or Paloma.

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