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Top 10 award-winning liqueurs

The liqueurs category is experiencing a revival, benefitted by the lower-alcohol trend and growing intrigue from bartenders. We present a selection of award-winning bottlings from our recent blind-tasting competition.

These are our award-winning expressions from The Liqueur Masters 2019

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 cream, fruit to confectionary, 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 our pick of award-winning bottlings from The Liqueur Masters 2019.

Fair Café Liqueur

Price: £22 (US$28.30)

In the popular coffee-flavoured liqueurs segment, one brand managed to secure the Master title.

Ethical Wine & Spirits’ Fair Café Liqueur won a Master medal for its “strong roast coffee nose” and “clean, strong coffee flavour”, completed with a finish of “roasted hazelnuts”.

The 22% ABV expression is made from Fairtrade Arabica coffee beans from a co-op of more than 1,900 independent farmers in the Huatusco region of Veracruz, Mexico. The sugar used to make the liqueur is also Fairtrade-certified and comes from various coops in countries such as Beliza and Paraguay.

The Nines Sweet

Price: £14.50 (US$18.70)

Gold‐medal‐winning The Nines Sweet was thought to be “well balanced” with a “pleasant aniseed flavour”, while one member of the panel said the finish was “quite long, with a hint of coffee”. It was the highest scorer in the Herbal flight.

The expression is made from a combination of 27 plant blossoms, leaves, fruits and roots. It can be consumed chilled, over ice or in cocktails.

Mozart Dark Chocolate

Price: £15 (US$19.30)

The Chocolate round saw a Master medal go to Mozart Distillerie for its Mozart Dark Chocolate, which was praised its “delicious and nostalgic deep cocoa flavour”. According to one judge, the liqueur was “like chocolate sauce for grown‐ ups”.

The expression is made by blending dark chocolate and cacao beans. It is recommended served in cocktails or to accompany desserts.

Joseph Cartron Apricot Brandy

Price: £15 (US$19.30)

Scoring a Master medal in the Fruit round was Joseph Cartron Apricot Brandy, which was said to have a “big, generous jammy flavour”.

The 25% ABV liqueur is made from very ripe fruits from the Mont du Lyonnais. The addition of Cognac is said to give the expression its structure and “delicately woody flavour”.

Kendal Mint Cake Liqueur

Price: £28 (US$36)

The Confectionary heat, where nostalgic flavours were on display, saw a Gold medal go to Kendal Mint Cake Liqueur, which reminded judges of After Eight chocolates and mint chocolate chip ice cream.

The 50% ABV bottling is a fusion of fresh peppermint and chocolate to create an aperitif, after-dinner drink or to accompany cocktails.

Infusionist Fig, Honey & Cinnamon Rum Liqueur

Price: £10 (US$12.90)

Aldi’s Infusionist Fig, Honey & Cinnamon Rum Liqueur, said to have a “lovely mix of fruitiness and spice”, grabbed a Master medal in the Own Label flight.

Produced by German supermarket chain Aldi, the 20% ABV bottling is recommended served over ice or in a cocktail.

Koskenkorva Ginger

Price: €12 (US$13.30)

The Fruit flight saw a Master bestowed upon Altia’s Koskenkorva Ginger, which was brimming with “heat, spice and freshness”.

The 21% ABV liqueur is made from vodka distilled in the Finnish village of Koskenkorva, ginger and citrus. It is thought to have less sugar than liqueurs usually have.

Koskenkorva Ginger is recommended served in cocktails such as a Ginger Sour or Ginger Mule or neat.

Ballycastle Strawberries & Cream Liqueur

Price: £10 (US$12.90)

Aldi UK’s Ballycastle Strawberry & Cream Liqueur bagged a Gold medal in the Cream round.

The 15% ABV bottling is a blend of alcohol, double cream and strawberry flavourings. It is recommended served over ice, in festive cocktails, or added to desserts.

Joseph Cartron Crème de Cassis Double Crème

Price: £13.45 (US$17.30)

In the classic blackcurrant‐flavoured liqueur Cassis round, a Master medal went to Joseph Cartron’s Crème de Cassis Double Crème.

It was said to “display the natural tartness of the fruit wonderfully”, while one judge added: “It’s really thick, almost like a purée, but it’s very rich and bold.

The top accolade of Liqueur Taste Master was bestowed on Joseph Cartron’s Crème de Cassis Double Crème, which judges deemed to be a faultless example of the category.

Crafted Summer Ruby Grapefruit

Price: €14 (US$15.50)

One of three Master medallists in the Fruit round was Crafted Summer Ruby Grapefruit, which was celebrated for its “well‐made tart character”.

Produced by Finnish drinks company Lignell & Piispanen, the expression is made from pink grapefruit, herbs and a drop of gin.

The liqueur is recommended served chilled with sparkling wine, mineral water or orange.

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