Buckfast Tonic Wine / Aperitif Miniature – 5cl

Tonic Wine Miniatures A Buckfast Tonic Wine miniature has an interesting story to tell and a colourful history to back it up. After all, no less than the Benedictine monks of Buckfast Abbey created the original formula for this traditional alcoholic drink that enjoys a special place in the hearts of both the Irish and the Britons. However, despite its Catholic upbringing, this drink is no longer made in the Abbey after it lost its license to sell wine. Buckfast is now made by the same tradition but, is now distributed by private enterprising individuals or entities. That’s why in Ireland, it comes in a brown bottle while in the UK, it is distributed in a green bottle. The Buckfast Tonic Wine mini, which also goes by the monicker, Buckie, is bottled at a 15% ABV expression. Even its wine branding is contested since it is derived from mistelle, an unfermented juice derived from grapes combined with ethanol, and not exactly distilled from freshly harvested grape varieties. The somewhat mystical effect of Buckfast Tonic Wine miniatures is blamed not just on the alcohol but may also be the effect of its reaction with other ingredients added to the wine, which includes caffeine, sodium and potassium glycerophosphates, disodium phosphate and, exclusively in the UK, vanillin as well. Buckfast Tonic Wine small bottles are recommended for neat or chilled drinking, ideally taken before a meal as an aperitif or, paired with meals. Buckfast  small bottle miniatures also make unusual treats when given as favours for guests to toast to or, take home.