Buckfast Tonic Wine

Most people here in the US have never heard of Buckfast Tonic Wine, one of the most fantastic caffeinated wines I have tried (really, the only caffeinated wine, but that's not the point). This is some seriously potent stuff, having about as much caffeine in it as coffee, but strong enough for a 15% sweet and delicious wine - perfect for many occasions.

The wine has recently been in the news in Britain for the occasion of drunken brawls, in which the tonic wine seems to be favored by the type of people who enjoy drunken bar fights. In Strathclyde, a region of Scotland, Buckfast tonic wine was in 5,638 crime reports from 2006-2009, equating to three a day on average. One in 10 of those offenses were violent and the bottle was used as a weapon 114 times. So now of course many politicians on The Other Side of the Pond want to ban the drink, citing that this tonic wine, made by Benedictine Monks for over 130 years was somehow responsible.

Most graciously, those Benedictine Monks sent me 4 bottles of this delectable wine, and I can report that not only did it NOT make me violent, but instead can bring about feelings of euphoria, alertness and a very happy tipsiness. Drinking Buckfast Tonic Wine is a pleasure, and it would permanently fill my wine rack if I could get hold of more. If you run into any supplies of Buckfast in the US, I urge you to stock up.

Taste:10
It is still made today as it was in the 1880's, by French monks who settled at Buckfast Abbey. The Benedictine Monks were supposed to have been making this since the 1500's, using over 27 ingredients steeped in brandy or wine. Buckfast is made from base wines from Spain, and then adding adding alcohol to partially fermented grape juice to create Mistelle. The addition of alcohol stops the fermentation, so Mistelle is sweeter than fully fermented grape juice in which the sugars turn to alcohol. The Monks used their secret formula and ingredients to make it into the tonic wine you can (rarely in the US) find today.

It is not like a regular wine, as it is much more intense and flavorful. It is very spiced, and is more like a thick aperitif than something you would pour yourself with dinner. The flavor is like brandy with black cherries and cloves - a very unique and memorable flavor.

Buzz:10
Like coffee, this drink is also 37.5mg per 100ml. or around 133mg of caffeine in 12 ounces. That is more than you would find in a standard energy drink, ounce per ounce. So needless to say, a full glass of this wine will give you quite an energetic rush. Add to that the high alcohol content and you have a recipe for a very fun and exciting evening. Adding a bottle of this after an evening meal, or even on a weekend afternoon pickmeup is guaranteed to make life more enjoyable.

The tonic in this is also very interesting, as it seemed to improve my mood as well. I felt more than just tipsy and alert, but I also felt very good and warm inside, like life could not get much better. While it is no St. Johns Wort, the lift in my spirits happened every time I enjoyed a glass.

Packaging:9
Rules in the UK are vastly different than in the US. The bottle itself has a picture of the abbey, a crest, some grapes and a bottler. It also clearly labels the caffeine content - something you do not find in caffeinated alcoholic drinks in the US. There is a recycle logo, a website about the dangers of drinking and, my favorite, a portion size for men and women (Men should not regularly exceed 3-4 units a day, and women should not go over 2-3), and this awesome pregnant woman silhouette with a "no" sign over her. Not flashy, not hip, but for a strong alcohol made by Monks, I would expect exactly what I received.

http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/buck_wine.htm