Who knew that the folks living in Estonia make a wonderful liqueur (liköör)? I sure as hell didn’t until a recent foray had me stumbling upon Vana Tallinn (or “Old Tallinn” in Estonian) in the amari/liqueur aisle. Because I am a true adventurer at heart, I had to pick up a bottle and give it a try. To my surprise, the spirit is actually quite fetching.

Vana Tallinn is a dark, amber colored rum-based liqueur flavored with a secret blend of spices, including vanilla, cinnamon and citrus oils. The web site (www.vanatallinn.eu) unfurls like a game of Myst, filled with a mélange of marketing and folklore.

I have not yet started to experiment, although the web site has a curious list of cocktails…

My tasting note:

Highly aromatic with honey and floral hints. Full-bodied and velvety sweet, which artfully covers the alcoholic nature of the spirit. Long finish with butterscotch and anise. Really enjoyable as an after-dinner sipping treat.

Cheers!