Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

Appearance: Very dark brown but see-through. The shade of weak black coffee or strong black tea. Aroma: Coffee essence, vanilla. Pure and sweet. Taste and Texture: Sweet, very mild black coffee with a whisper of vanilla and brown sugar. I am astonished, astounded, and dismayed that there is no official note for this. Tia Maria is a classic liqueur produced since the 1930s - come on guys, get it together! Originally, this was produced by a private company in Jamaica using locally grown beans, but those days are long past. Since the early 2000s, it has been made in Italy, and the original 31.5% strength has been lowered to a mere 20%. Shame, boo. The brand has been sold by numerous owners and is now owned by Pernod-Ricard. It is a mere shadow of the mighty liqueur I recall from my university days in the 1970s. They once had a commercial jingle that stated: "Tia Maria gold and brown, drink it when the sun goes down" which we altered to "Tia Maria gold and brown, drink it until you fall down". Still pleasant as a mild coffee liqueur over shaved ice or ice cream (and quite nice in a milkshake). I still sometimes enjoy adding Tia Maria to my Coca-Cola, may I be forgiven. Nice, but it's not the powerhouse it used to be. If it were still the original recipe, I would rate it 3.5, but as it stands... "Average": 78/100 (2.75 stars)

Tia Maria is a sweet liqueur characterized by a strong coffee flavor and a multifaceted aromatic profile. Its cold brew extraction process ensures a distinct taste, driven by three key components: 100% Arabica coffee for a rich, roasted flavor; vanilla for smooth, velvety undertones; and Jamaican Rum, which provides body, depth, and structure.

The smell offers vanilla, brownie, coffee grounds, and earth. It has a rich texture. The taste is quite sweet, showing more vanilla, coffee, and earth, plus maple syrup and a hint of dark chocolate in the moderately long finish. It's still underwhelming on its own, perhaps not quite as overly sweet as Kahlúa. It's better in mixed drinks. 2.75/5.00 – Acceptable (straight)

Initially sweet and somewhat syrupy, with a pleasant coffee accent. Becomes too cloying on a second serving.

Pleasant coffee flavor.