Vana Tallinn

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For the ship named Vana Tallinn, see M/S Vana Tallinn.
Vana Tallinn
Vana Tallinn

Vana Tallinn (Estonian for Old Tallinn) is a liqueur produced by the Estonian company Liviko. It is available in 40%, 45% and 50% varieties (80, 90 and 100 proof respectively), as well as a 16% (32 proof) cream liqueur (Vana Tallinn Kooreliköör). The liqueur is sweet with a hint of rum, flavoured by various natural spices, including citrus oil, cinnamon and vanilla.

Vana Tallinn is widely available in all of the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania).

The sweetness and flavours disguise the high alcohol content making it potentially dangerous, especially in a cocktail called the "hammer and sickle" where it is mixed with Russian champagne. The drink is so named because according to local legend, it hits the drinker on the head and cuts off his legs. It is mixed with 1 part Vana Tallinn and 4 parts sparkling wine or champagne.

The normal Vana Tallinn can also be mixed with soda or milk to make something resembling the cream liqueur version.

Until recently Vana Tallinn had been only available in Europe making it nearly impossible for anyone in the U.S. to acquire a bottle short of bringing it back from a trip. In 2007 Matrics Importing, based in Oak Lawn Illinois, became the US importer for Vana Tallinn. Efforts are under way to establish nation wide distribution and gain broad acceptance of the product.

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This article has been tagged since January 2007.