Ceylon Arrack

Difford's Guide

alc./vol: 40%

Proof: 80°

Vintage: Non-vintage

Aged: No age statement

Product of: Product of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan arrack distilled from the sap released by coconut flower stems, which if left to mature, would flower and then form coconuts. The sap (called toddy) is collected by Toddy Tappers who shimmy up the tree trunks barefoot and move between trees on ropes, slung some 80 feet above the ground.

These nimble acrobats are called Toddy Tappers because when they cut a flower stem they have to tap it to encourage the sap flow to start. They then fit receptacles to collect the sap, in turn emptying these into earthenware ‘clap pot’ flasks fixed to their waists. Each tree is ‘tapped’ daily.

The sap starts to ferment naturally and must be distilled within hours of its collection. Distillation takes place in a column still with copper plates and the resulting distillate is aged in Sri Lankan Halmilla wood.

Rockland Distilleries began on a family estate in 1924 and remains a family run business. In 2009 they decided to market their arrack to a wider audience and commissioned the designer pink, tall, square bottle in which Ceylon Arrack is now presented.

Review and Tasting


Sampled on 06/12/2010

Appearance:

Clear but with a light golden hue.

Aroma:

Nutty (hazelnut, acorns) with powdered milk.

Taste:

Also has nutty, malty whisky-like notes with hints of dried strawberries.

Aftertaste:

Slightly bitter and somewhat reminiscent of diluted whisky.

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Update information/image

Product Information

Closure: Natural cork stopper

More about Ceylon Arrack

Produced by: Rockland Distilleries (Private) Ltd
UK distribution by: Mangrove UK
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