Riga Black Balsam Digestif (500ml)

An intriguing spirit drink that's been produced from an eclectic array of ingredients (24 in total, of which 17 are botanicals.) These include linden blossom, birch bud, valerian root, raspberry, bilberry, and ginger as well as nutmeg and black peppercorn. A brief maturation period follows in oak barrels. It pours an eye-catching, glycerous, burnt sienna brown with a gold ochre hue. The prickly aroma is as at once appealing as it is mysterious; An unlikely combination of iced coffee, raw sugar, dried berries, quince paste and cocoa that just works. The palate is initially semi-sweet, followed by a bittersweet surge of spice; flavours of cherry cola and sarsaparilla make this almost Amaro-like. The finish is properly bitter followed by a tannic, tea leaf aftertaste and a cocoa / bitter herbal fade. Enjoy it straight up, on the rocks, or mixed in a variety of cocktails. Latvians tell us it goes nicely with berry juice or in coffee. Otherwise, drink it as you would a digestif. 45% Alc./Vol.