Vana Tallinn

Vana Tallinn (Estonian for Old Tallinn) is a dark brown and robust rum-based liqueur produced by the Estonian company Liviko. The liqueur is sweet with a hint of Jamaican rum, flavoured by various natural spices, including citrus oil, cinnamon and vanilla. Vana Tallinn is available in 40%, 45% and 50% varieties (80, 90 and 100 US proof respectively), as well as a 16% (32 US proof) cream liqueur (Vana Tallinn Kooreliköör).

Vana Tallinn is widely available in all of the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), as well as Russia and Finland. Although it is advertised as an ancient and traditional Estonian drink, the production was actually started only in September 1960.

The sweetness and flavours disguise the high alcohol content making it potentially dangerous, especially in a cocktail called the "hammer and sickle" where it is mixed with Russian sparkling wine. The drink is so named because according to local legend, it hits the drinker on the head and cuts off his legs. It is mixed with 1 part Vana Tallinn and 4 parts sparkling wine or champagne.

The normal Vana Tallinn is also sometimes mixed with milk or kefir to make something resembling the cream liqueur version.