Chambord Liqueur is a raspberry based liqueur with 16.5%abv / 33 proof. It is made from an over 320 year old recipe dating back to 1685 when Louis XIV visited Château de Chambord in the Chambord region of France and supposedly was one of his favorites, among that of other nobility who had the good taste to enjoy it as well. From what I can gather during much research it contains framboise noires (small black raspberries), red raspberries, blackberries, currants, herbs and spices, (including cinnamon and cloves) steeped in cognac, and sweetened with Acacia honey.

Chambord comes in a perfectly round bottle with just enough of a flat base for it to stay upright, and has a golden belt around its waist saying "Chambord Liqueur Royale. Then it has and two golden epaulets rising from the belt to a golden collar around its neck, all decorated with filigree, and finally it is capped with a golden crown. The shape is based on the orb topped with a cross from medieval times called the Globus cruciger to show its royal nature and connections.It is a deep purple red in color, and has a medium body with quite a low alcohol level for a liqueur, so the texture is that of very light syrup. I think it has enough honey in it to qualify as a crème de framboise . The aroma is that of ripe, ripe, tart and sweet raspberries with the addition of a round fruit smell with a deep berry base, and a strong follow up of herbs and fruit that seem to form all the notes of fine chocolate. Interestingly enough the taste comes across as not too sweet, a mixture of fresh raspberries and gourmet raspberry preserves giving both a fresh and slightly simmered taste to it that is wonderful, and then somehow I get hints of premium chocolate truffles and a finale of wildflower honey. This is a refined and smooth raspberry liqueur, with a well rounded taste and a solid finish and I can unqualifyingly say it is superb, and this from someone who doesn't particularly care that much for raspberries.

I enjoyed it straight, on the rocks, paired with champagne or white wine, and in cocktails and punch. It is also fantastic with deserts, such as drizzled over sponge cake, ice cream, and in an English Trifle. Use it anywhere you want to add a nice splash of ripe, tangy berries. It is all natural with no preservatives, which means that it should be drunk within six months of opening, although I can't understand how anyone could have a bottle last that long.