De Kuyper – Cherry Brandy – Liqueur – Holland (24 Fl. oz. – 42º Proof; ~682 ml – 24%)

A bottle of this classic liqueur produced in Holland, by John De Kuyper & Zoon, Schiedam purveyor to H.M. King of Sweden. It is made by using dark ripe cherries, which are blended in pure neutral spirit and then spices such as cloves and cinnamon and then mixed with quality brandy. De Kuyper’s unique almond edge is provided by leaving the cherry kernels in during the blending process.

Bottled in the late ’60s.

Please note that I’m a sucker for cherries and good kirsch.

Colour: Dark Scarlet.

Nose: It’s unusual to age fruit eau-de-vie, but this time it seems that that worked. This is virtually some liquid cherry cake.

Mouth (neat): White pepper, caraway, vanilla, then a little tobacco, and indeed, candied and preserved cherries.

Finish: Medium, rather well balanced.