Liqueur Notes: Licor 43 "Cuarenta Y Tres" Liqueur

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Dec 7th 2006 @ 1:05PM

Licor 43 also known as "Cuarenta Y Tres" is 31%abv / 62 proof and is a light bodied, sweet liqueur. In color it is yellow tinged with a touch of gold. The aroma is sharp, warm, and complex, with vanilla up front; and then tangy sweet fruit, spices, and an aged rum like presence. The flavor is similar to the aroma; vanilla, complex intermingled spices, tangy fruits, and hints of citrus, carried by a flavor similar to fine aged rum.

Licor 43 is the leading premium liqueur of Spain, where Diego Zamora has been making it in Cartagna since 1924. The name Cuarenta Y Tres (43) comes from the supposedly 43 ingredients used to create it. There is a long history connected to this liqueur, maybe more so than any other, going back 2000 years to the time of the Carthaginians. Here is the supposed history, as well as five cocktail recipes to make with Licor 43.

I tried this for the first time today and I'm a convert. I had it straight in a snifter and on the rocks, enjoying it both ways greatly. I look forward to trying it in a few of those cocktail recipes I linked to earlier. This engaging spirit made me think of warm, golden days full of sunshine and balmy breezes; with pretty, black haired senoritas sashaying by, glancing coquettishly out of the corners of their dark, sensual, and mysterious eyes.

Filed Under: Lush Life, Raves & Reviews, Liquor Cabinet, Drink Recipes, Drinks
Tags: Cuarenta Y Tres, europe, licor 43, Licor43, liqueur, liqueurs, liquor cabinet, spain, spirits

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-07-2006 @2:50PM cdk said... i had this for the first time at my gf's brother's wedding in mexico and i fell in love with it, it is perfect as an after dinner drink. however i live in chicago and have had the toughest time finding it. does anyone know any stores here that carry it? thanks!
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12-07-2006 @1:57PM MDF said... I'm not the luxury man and I prefer beer, instead of liquer. Any time
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12-07-2006 @3:49PM bdw said... Definitely a luxurious liqueur, I have been enjoying this for over 20 years and have never had trouble finding it. My sister in law is married to a Basque, they say that in Spain most people drink it in a Coke, but not in Pepsi, since Coke has a strong vanilla note already (Coca Cola buys up about 2/3 of all the natural vanilla in the world). Seems like a waste to me, but I've never found a cocktail yet that does this justice. I sip it straight, no ice, from a pony or liqueur glass.

Speaking as a former history major, the history is fascinating, but completely spurious. The Romans left no survivors of Carthage, and in fact sowed salt and plowed it into the land to make it barren for generations.
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12-07-2006 @3:20PM Lord Jezo said... An article on 43 and no mention of "mini-beers"?

Shame!

Take a bit of 43, a bit of Baileys Irish Cream, put it in a shot glass and you'll have one of the most loved drinks around.

Maybe it's just an area thing? Everyone here in NJ drinks it that way, it's extremely popular. The drink is made at home parties, wedding receptions, hanging out with friends...
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