Riga Black Balsam Original
Riga Black Balsam Original
  • fruit fruit
  • floral floral
  • herbs herbs
  • earthy earthy
  • rose rose
  • elderflower elderflower
  • blueberry blueberry
  • woody woody
  • slightly sweet slightly sweet
  • fruit fruit
  • floral floral
  • herbs herbs
  • earthy earthy
  • rose rose
  • elderflower elderflower
  • blueberry blueberry
  • woody woody
  • slightly sweet slightly sweet

Riga Black Balsam Original

700ml
45% ABV
£0.00
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  • BrandRiga Black Balsam
  • CategoryLiqueurs
  • CountryLatvia
  • RegionRiga
  • DistilleryLatvijas Balzams
  • AgeNAS
  • Style Liqueur
  • Alcohol45.0%
California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 Warning.

The deeply black, herbal Spirit that is the national drink of Latvia.

JSC Latvijas Balsams
does one thing, and one thing only — they produce a range of traditional Latvian Spirits called Balsams. Their core, signature Black Balsam is thought to be the oldest botanical bitter Spirit still in production. The original recipe was created in 1752 by Abraham Kunze who lived in Riga, Latvia, at the time. A pharmacist by profession, he compiled a wide range of twenty-four botanicals to craft a therapeutic Digestif or Aperitif. Aside from an interruption during World War II, it has been in content production ever since. Often imitated, never equalled, it is the national Spirit of Latvia.

Riga Black Balsam Original is made from twenty-four botanicals that are traditionally used as natural remedies. The list includes Peruvian balsamic oil, birch, peppermint, wormwood, ginger, bitterwort, oak bark, St John’s wort, bitter orange zest, nutmeg, black pepper, sweet flag, tilia, bilberries, raspberries, lemon balm, gentia flowers, golden withy (bog myrtle), linden blossoms, and buckbean flowers. The other four are still a mystery. These botanicals are infused in the barrel, then brought to proof at 45% ABV and lightly sweetened with caramelized sugar and honey. It is famous for its deep black hue, ceramic bottles, and singular flavor profile.

Smartass Corner:
The full recipe is a closely-held secret — only the Head Liquor Master and his apprentices know the exact formulation.

Appearance / Color
Deep Black

Nose / Aroma / Smell
The fragrance is deeply complex with layer upon layer of fruits, florals, and herbals over an earthy sweetness.

Flavor / Taste / Palate
Unlike anything else, it has flavor elements from Vermouth and Absinth underpinning notes of rose water, elderflower, blueberry cobbler, and sandalwood.

Finish
The finish is long, herbal, and lightly sweet.

This product is available in:

Note: Once an order has been safely & successfully delivered, we do not accept returns due to change of heart or taste. Due to state regulations, we cannot accept the return of alcohol purchased by a customer in error.

Riga Black Balsam Original

Customer Reviews

Based on 23 reviews
30%
(7)
17%
(4)
0%
(0)
17%
(4)
35%
(8)
P
Phillip
Absolutely Fantastic!

Looks like someone just dropped a rating and dashed! No comment provided.

D
David
Interesting and definitely not...

Interesting and definitely not for everyone or even most. Pours black as sin, looking like the strongest coffee you ever saw. Has an aroma similar to absinthe but a touch more subtle. Fills the mouth with a coffee-like taste with hints of herbs again similar to a slight degree to absinthe. Has a nice burn going down. I probably would not buy this again but for a blind buy and the experience of trying something out of the mainstream, it was worth the cost. We've got a local absinthe bar so I will stick with that.

B
Bryan
One of the nastiest things I'v...

One of the nastiest things I've ever put in my mouth. Ughhh.

A
Aleksandr
Negative reviews? You have no ...

Negative reviews? You have no idea what yoz are talking about or have no taste.

G
Gregory
Meh, Just Passable

Looks like someone just dropped a rating and dashed! No comment provided.