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John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum

750ml & 22 Proof

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
6 Reviews

John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum is a Falernum hailing from Trinidad And Tobago.

What is John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum?

John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum is a unique, low-alcohol liqueur that's essential for many classic tiki cocktails, adding a complex blend of lime, almond, clove, and vanilla flavors. Interestingly, despite its crucial role in Caribbean mixology, Velvet Falernum was actually created by a London wine merchant in the late 19th century, inspired by his travels to Barbados.

Why do we love John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum?

John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum stands out as a must-have for cocktail enthusiasts due to its unique blend of lime, almond, clove, and vanilla flavors, creating a versatile liqueur that adds depth and complexity to tropical drinks. Unlike traditional rums, this Barbadian specialty boasts a lower alcohol content (11% ABV) and a subtle sweetness, making it an excellent modifier that enhances rather than overpowers other spirits in classic tiki cocktails like the Zombie and Mai Tai.

How do you drink John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum?

John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum shines brightest in tropical and tiki-style cocktails, where its sweet and spicy notes add depth and complexity. While it's rarely sipped neat, this versatile liqueur is perfect for warm-weather sipping, pairing wonderfully with Caribbean cuisine and seafood dishes that complement its lime and almond flavors.

Discover some of our favorite recipes.

$21.99
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Nose: Fresh lime zest, clove, and ginger dominate the aroma. Hints of vanilla and almond add depth, while a subtle sugarcane sweetness lingers in the background.

Palate: Light and crisp with a silky texture. The lime and ginger notes from the nose carry through, joined by pronounced flavors of allspice and toasted almonds. A gentle sweetness balances the spice, reminiscent of a tropical fruit syrup.

Finish: Medium-length with warming spices. Clove and ginger linger, accompanied by a pleasant lime tartness. The finish tapers off with a subtle vanilla sweetness and a touch of almond, leaving a clean, refreshing aftertaste.

John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum is crafted in Barbados using a blend of sugar cane syrup, lime juice, and spices like clove and almond, which are macerated for up to 48 hours before being filtered and bottled. What's fascinating about the production is the use of wild cloves harvested from trees growing near the distillery, contributing to its unique terroir-driven flavor profile.

  • John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum contains an unusual ingredient: ant essence. This traditional flavoring, derived from a species of ant native to Barbados, contributes to the liqueur's complex taste profile and pays homage to ancient Caribbean medicinal practices.
  • Despite its popularity in tiki cocktails, Velvet Falernum was originally created in the 1840s as a non-alcoholic syrup. It wasn't until decades later that alcohol was added to extend its shelf life for export, inadvertently transforming it into the versatile liqueur we know today.
  • The "Velvet" in its name isn't just for show. During production, the liquid is passed through a series of silk filters, giving it an incredibly smooth texture that's noticeably different from other falernum brands – a process that hasn't changed since the 19th century.
  • Main Ingredient: Nutmeg
    Country of Origin: Trinidad And Tobago

    5.0
    Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
    Based on 6 reviews
    Total 5 star reviews: 6 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
    Best ForRated -1.8 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
    83%would recommend this product
    6 reviews
    • Daniel
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      5 Stars

      A MUST for our home bar for tiki drinks!

    • Owen W.
      Verified Buyer
      I recommend this product
      Age Range 21 - 24
      I'm More Into: Cocktails AND Sipping
      My Spirit of Choice (if forced to choose!) Rum
      I Bought This For Myself
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      John D. Taylor's Is NON EXISTANT in my area!

      Thankfully Curiada came through with the best possible customer service!!!

      Best ForRated -1.0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
    • Lise B.
      Verified Buyer
      I recommend this product
      Age Range 55 - 64
      I'm More Into: Cocktails
      My Spirit of Choice (if forced to choose!) Rum, Vodka
      I Bought This For Myself
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      New to me

      This was not on my radar at all until I found a recipe containing it. How fun! I’m going to try more cocktails with this.

      Best ForRated -2.0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
    • JAY H.
      Verified Buyer
      I recommend this product
      I'm More Into: Cocktails AND Sipping
      Age Range 45 - 54
      My Spirit of Choice (if forced to choose!) Whiskey, Gin
      I Bought This For Myself
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Staple of Tiki drinks

      Wonderful and pretty powerful flavors in this. Quite sweet as well. Used mostly in what would be called "tiki" cocktails. I found BG Reynolds Falernum (non-alcoholic syrup) is a fairly close match flavor-wise but looks terrible LOL. Also, this will be shelf stable, basically forever.

      Best ForRated -2.0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
    • MJ J.
      Verified Buyer
      I recommend this product
      I Bought This For Myself
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      A cocktail must-have.

      Started using this in nearly every tiki drink, and it's become a bar staple for me. Absolutely delicious.

      Best ForRated -2.0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
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    Please drink responsibly. CA Residents: Proposition 65 Warning.

    Last Updated: 2024-09-07

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