Quick answer
Extra special arrack is Sri Lanka's best-selling spirit, an inexpensive arrack made mostly from neutral spirit with a proportion of coconut arrack, bottled at roughly 33.5 per cent alcohol. It is widely known by the nickname gal arrack, gal being the Sinhala word for rock or stone. It is light, slightly sweet and intended for mixing with soda, cola or ginger beer, not for sipping. A 750 ml bottle costs roughly US$10 to US$14 on the island, the lowest price on the arrack shelf.
Key takeaways
- Extra special arrack is the biggest-selling spirit in Sri Lanka and the default pour in local bars.
- Gal arrack is the popular nickname for extra special arrack; gal means rock or stone in Sinhala.
- Extra special arrack is mostly neutral spirit with some coconut arrack, at roughly 33.5 per cent ABV.
- Extra special arrack is made for mixing with soda, cola or ginger beer and is not a sipping spirit.
- A full bottle of extra special arrack costs roughly US$10 to US$14, the cheapest on the legal arrack shelf.
What extra special arrack is
Extra special arrack is the entry-level category of Sri Lankan arrack. Despite the grand name, it is the simplest product each distiller makes: a light spirit built largely on neutral alcohol, usually from molasses, with coconut arrack added for character.
Extra special arrack exists because pure coconut arrack is costly. Toddy is limited by the number of tappers, and tax is high, so a blended style lets an ordinary household afford a bottle for a celebration.
Why extra special arrack is called gal
Extra special arrack is called gal across the island, and the nickname is so common that many people never use the formal name. Gal is Sinhala for rock or stone.
The origin of the nickname is explained in several ways. Some say it refers to the hard kick of the spirit, others to an old term for strong liquor, others to the drinker being stoned. Nobody can prove any version, and locals enjoy the argument.
How extra special arrack tastes
Extra special arrack tastes light and a little sweet, with a faint coconut note and a short, warm finish. Neat, it is thin and slightly sharp. Diluted and chilled, it becomes an easy, neutral base that carries the mixer.
- →Nose: light caramel and a hint of coconut blossom.
- →Palate: soft, slightly sweet, little weight.
- →Finish: short and warm.
- →Best use: tall drinks with plenty of ice.
How to drink extra special arrack
Drinking extra special arrack the local way means long, cold and shared. A table orders a quarter or half bottle with a large bottle of soda or cola, and the first plates of fried and devilled snacks arrive with it.
- →With soda and lime: the driest and most refreshing option.
- →With cola: the most common village pairing.
- →With ginger beer: sweeter, with a spicy edge.
- →With king coconut water: a beach favourite that softens the spirit.
When extra special arrack is the right choice
Extra special arrack is the right choice when the drink is long and the setting is informal. It is the wrong choice when you want to understand what coconut arrack tastes like, because much of what is in the glass is not coconut.
- →Choose extra special arrack for a villa cool box and a crowd.
- →Choose old arrack if you would like more flavour for a small extra cost.
- →Choose pure coconut arrack for cocktails and for tasting.
- →Choose an aged arrack for sipping and for gifts.
Buying extra special arrack safely
Buying extra special arrack safely means buying it from a licensed wine store or supermarket, with the excise security sticker intact. Because it is the most popular bottle, it is also the one most often imitated in informal outlets.
Lankan Stays & Trails drivers can point out licensed shops on the route to a beach stay, and will remind you when a poya day is coming so the shopping is done the day before.
Frequently asked questions
What is gal arrack?
Gal arrack is the everyday nickname for extra special arrack, the cheapest and best-selling category of arrack in Sri Lanka. Gal means rock or stone in Sinhala. It is a light blend of neutral spirit and coconut arrack, usually drunk with a mixer.
What is extra special arrack made of?
Extra special arrack is made mostly from neutral spirit, typically distilled from sugarcane molasses, blended with a proportion of coconut arrack and sometimes permitted flavouring and caramel colour. It is not a pure coconut arrack, which is why it costs much less.
How strong is extra special arrack?
Extra special arrack is bottled at roughly 33.5 per cent alcohol by volume, somewhat below the 40 per cent of most whisky, rum and vodka. The exact figure is printed on the label. Generous free pours in bars often cancel out the difference.
Is gal arrack safe to drink?
Yes, when it is a sealed bottle from a licensed shop or bar. It is a regulated, tax-paid product made by established distillers. The risk lies with counterfeit bottles and illicit liquor sold informally, so check for the excise sticker and an unbroken seal.
How much does a bottle of extra special arrack cost?
A 750 ml bottle of extra special arrack costs roughly US$10 to US$14 in a licensed shop in Sri Lanka, with half and quarter bottles priced in proportion. Excise duty changes frequently, so treat any figure as a guide and check the printed price.
Can tourists buy gal arrack?
Yes. Anyone aged 21 or over can buy it from licensed wine stores and supermarkets on any day that is not a poya or other dry day. It is rarely listed in upmarket hotel bars, which usually stock old arrack and coconut arrack instead.