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 US proof respectively), as well as a 16% (32 US 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), as well as Russia and Finland. Although it is advertised as an ancient and traditional Estonian drink, the production was actually only started in September 1960.
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 sparkling wine. 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.
American Distribution
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 nationwide distribution and gain broad acceptance of the product.
Since 2007 Vana Tallinn has received industry recognition with a Silver Medal in the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits competition, a 94 rated review in the April 2008 edition of "The Tasting Panel" magazine and a Gold designation of 90 points from the Beverage Testing Institute in their 2009 International Review of Spirits which can be found on their Tastings website
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||