Note: In business since 1896, Senior has a unique distinction of being the only company to use the appellation of genuine,original or authentic in describing its Curacaos as this may only be used if the Laraha golden oranges of the island of Curacao is used in production. Indeed I understand they own the only groves of these oranges in the world.hese oranges were brought to the island in the early 1500’s.

Of interest to the botanists out there these were Spanish Valencia Oranges that because of the vastly different climate and soil became a small, bitter, and for the most part inedible orange. At some point someone discovered the wonderful aroma of the dried peel and started using the orange for something other than livestock fodder.In contrast to a number of other producers who take a industrial scale and approach to production of Curacao (and by using grain alcohol and artificial flavors create a product suited for orange cough syrup than a liqueur.)

Senior takes an artisinal approach where every step is carefully considered- from using a wooden knife to peel the orange rather than a steel one (which would stain the peels and introduce off flavors) to the careful drying and then maceration of the peels before distillation to the hand bottling and labeling. Seniors products are proof that slow food techniques are as applicable to the spirit trade as it it to food. Speed and quantity are the enemies of good taste. This is a liqueur produced by blending rumraisin and curacao.The company produces a range of products including the world’s only genuine Curacao, a Chocolate and Curacao, and a Rumraisin Curacao.

First Impression: Deep bouquet of coffee, and some lighter notes.

Appearance: Clear dark liquid, bright finish to it. Amazing body. On swirling, leaves a oily even coat on the glass with few legs developing.

Taste: Nice oily coffee mouth feel, almost slick, alkali tang mixed with sugar cinnamon, vanilla, orange and rum/molasses notes A pleasant warming finish.

Drinks: Did well in the usual Kahlua type drinks. Nice change from the usual but not dramatic.

Bottle: Round/pocket watch flask shaped bottle- thin neck to round shoulder to flattened body with a textured surface that makes it look and feel like an orange skin. Trademark tree embossed into neck, nice cork stopper (not some god awful screw cap that gets stuck – which happens a lot with liqueurs) Artwork seems almost turn-of-the-century and quite attractive. Hand bottled and labeled.

Final Thoughts: Closer to illy or other European coffee liqueurs than say Kahlua or Tia Maria. A tad pricey for the category. Different? Yes. Interesting? Yes. Must have? Maybe not. Recommended as something different, well made. Consider it when you run out of your other coffee liqueur and you want a change.

Website: http://www.preissimports.com or http://www.curacaoliqueur.com

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