Senior & Co. The Genuine Red Curaçao Liqueur

alc./vol: 31%

Proof: 62°

Vintage: Non-vintage

Aged: Unaged

Product of: Product of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands Antilles

This is the original curaçao liqueur, made on the island of Curaçao by Senior & Co, with the dried peels of the 'Laraha', a type of bitter orange native to Curaçao since 1886.

The Island of Curaçao was discovered by the Spanish in 1499 and they quickly started agricultural development of the island and planted Spanish Valencia orange trees. However, the island's climate and soil conditions changed what was a sweet juicy orange to a bitter, almost inedible orange. The project was abandoned and the bitter oranges left to grow wild.

Some decades later someone discovered that when the peels of what by now had become known as the Laraha orange were thoroughly sun dried an oil with a pleasing fragrance could be extracted. The Senior family experimented with the Laraha peels and various spices to create their liqueur which they named after the island. The new liqueur was well received locally so they established a company called Senior & Co. And in 1896 ordered copper still which is still used by the company today to make the now internationally famous and original curaçao liqueur.

The Laraha oranges are harvested green and cut with wooden knives so as not to stain the fruit. The sun-dried peels are hung in jute bags in the copper still with cane neutral alcohol diluted with water for four days. The bags of Laraha peel are removed and replaced with bags of spices for an additional two days before commencing distillation.

The original Senior Curaçao liqueur is the clear version, but sadly the company has mimicked its imitators and now also produces blue, red, orange, and green versions. All have the same flavour profile and 31% alc./vol. Strength.

Senior & Co. Produces their now over 100 year old liqueur in a historic country mansion called Chobolobo in the Saliña area of the island.

Over the years many other producers around the world have began making 'orange curaçao liqueurs'. Although the Senior family where unable to protect the name of their island and liqueur, only curaçao liqueurs made with Laraha oranges can use the word 'Original'. The USA has also ruled that Senior's curaçao liqueur is the only one authorized to put 'The Authentic' on its label. To avoid confusion, Senior & Co. Changed the name to 'Curaçao of Curaçao' liqueur.

The island of Curacao is located in the Caribbean Sea, 38 miles north of Venezuela and forms part of the Netherlands Antilles, a group of five islands with an autonomous status, but still forming part of the Netherlands. Just a four hour flight from Miami, Curacao is a true tropical paradise boasting beautiful sun-drenched secluded beaches.

Once abandoned as an uneconomic crop, the Laraha orange now has its own botanical name, 'Citrus Aurantium Currassuviensis', meaning golden orange of Curaçao, but islanders still refer to it as 'Laraha'. On Curaçao there are several plantations that grow the indigenous fruit, mostly located in the eastern part of the Island in two regions known as Fuik and Choloma. The largest plantation has approximately 35 Laraha trees, each producing 150 to 200 fruit, which result in 15 to 20 kilograms of dried peels. The trees are harvested twice a year.

Review and Tasting


Sample not received so no tasting notes available.

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Closure: Screw / Stelvin cap

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