Quick answer
Old arrack is a traditional style name for Sri Lanka's middle tier of arrack: a blend with a higher share of coconut distillate than the cheapest special arracks, usually rested in halmilla wood and bottled at roughly 34 to 37 per cent alcohol. Several distillers make an old arrack, so it is a category, not one brand. It does not carry a guaranteed age. VSOA, short for very special old arrack, is a step above it. Sri Lankans drink old arrack with soda, water or ginger beer.
Key takeaways
- Old arrack is a style made by several Sri Lankan distillers, not a single brand.
- Old arrack contains more coconut distillate than extra special arrack and is usually rested in halmilla wood.
- Old arrack is typically bottled at roughly 34 to 37 per cent ABV and carries no guaranteed age statement.
- VSOA stands for very special old arrack and sits above standard old arrack in the range.
- A bottle of old arrack costs roughly US$12 to US$20 in Sri Lanka, a little more than extra special.
What old arrack is
Old arrack is the name Sri Lankan distillers have long given to their mid-range arrack. It is smoother and more coconut-led than the entry-level bottles, and it is the first rung of the ladder that many local drinkers consider worth tasting without a mixer.
Old arrack is a blended product in most cases. Coconut arrack that has spent time in halmilla vats is combined with lighter spirit to give a consistent, easy style. The exact recipe is each house's own.
Old arrack compared with other styles
Old arrack makes most sense when placed between its neighbours on the shelf. Price, coconut content and time in wood all rise together.
- →Extra special arrack: lighter, cheaper, mostly neutral spirit, for mixing.
- →Old arrack: rounder and nuttier, with more coconut distillate.
- →VSOA and double distilled arrack: fuller again, often with more pot still spirit.
- →Pure coconut and aged arrack: no neutral spirit, higher strength, made for sipping.
How old arrack tastes
Old arrack tastes soft and lightly sweet, with a coconut-blossom note on the nose, a little caramel and a short, clean finish. It has less bite than the special arracks and less depth than a long-aged coconut arrack.
Old arrack holds its flavour when diluted, which is the point of it. Mixed half and half with cold water, the traditional way among older drinkers, it tastes fuller than it does neat.
How Sri Lankans drink old arrack
Sri Lankans drink old arrack at home, at weddings and in clubs and hotel bars, nearly always long and nearly always with food on the table. Bottles are shared, and the host pours.
- →With soda and a squeeze of lime, over ice.
- →With plain cold water, the old-fashioned way.
- →With ginger beer for a sweeter drink.
- →With bites: devilled chicken, fried cashews or spiced chickpeas.
Ordering old arrack in a bar
Ordering old arrack in a Sri Lankan bar is simple. Ask for an old arrack and the bartender will pour the house brand, or name two and let you choose. In local bars it is common to order a quarter or half bottle with a bottle of soda for the table.
Old arrack in a hotel bar costs roughly US$2 to US$5 a measure before service and taxes. Asking for the bottle to be shown is perfectly acceptable and is a good way to learn the labels.
Buying old arrack to take home
Buying old arrack to take home makes sense if you want a bottle to mix freely, since it costs only a little more than the entry level. For a gift, a pure coconut or aged arrack makes a stronger impression.
Lankan Stays & Trails can add a stop at a licensed wine store near the end of a tour so bottles do not travel in the car for a week, and will plan it around poya days.
- →Choose old arrack if you want an everyday bottle for long drinks.
- →Choose VSOA or double distilled arrack if you want more body for cocktails.
- →Choose an aged coconut arrack if it will be drunk neat.
Frequently asked questions
What is old arrack?
Old arrack is a mid-range style of Sri Lankan arrack, made by several distillers. It is a blend with more coconut distillate than the cheapest arracks, usually rested in halmilla wood, and bottled at roughly 34 to 37 per cent alcohol.
How old is old arrack?
There is no fixed age. Old is a traditional style name, not an age statement, and the blend may include spirit of different ages. If a guaranteed age matters, choose a bottle that prints a number of years on the label.
What does VSOA mean?
VSOA stands for very special old arrack. It is a label used for a blend positioned above standard old arrack, generally fuller and smoother. As with old arrack, the letters indicate style and do not promise a particular number of years in wood.
Is old arrack better than extra special?
Most drinkers find old arrack smoother and more flavourful, because it contains more coconut distillate and has had more time in wood. Extra special is lighter and cheaper. In a tall drink with ginger beer the difference narrows; neat or with water it is obvious.
How much does old arrack cost in Sri Lanka?
A 750 ml bottle of old arrack costs roughly US$12 to US$20 in a licensed shop, and prices change often with excise duty. Half and quarter bottles are sold too. In a hotel bar, expect roughly US$2 to US$5 a measure before service charge.
Can you drink old arrack neat?
You can, and it is pleasant enough, but old arrack is designed for dilution. Try it first with an equal part of cold still water, which opens the coconut notes. For neat sipping, a pure coconut arrack aged for several years is a better choice.