Quick answer
Old arrack and double distilled arrack are both mid-range Sri Lankan blends with more coconut than everyday styles. Old arrack is defined by vat rest in halmilla, which makes it soft, round and gently nutty. Double distilled arrack is defined by its distillation, which gives a fuller, slightly oilier texture and a more pronounced spirit character. Old arrack suits easy drinking over ice and long drinks; double distilled suits drinkers who like body, and stirred or short cocktails. Prices are similar.
Key takeaways
- Old and double distilled arracks are both mid-range blends with more coconut than everyday styles.
- Old arrack is defined by halmilla vat rest and tastes soft and round.
- Double distilled arrack is defined by its distillation and tastes fuller and oilier.
- Prices are similar, so the choice comes down to texture and use.
- Neither is necessarily pure coconut; check the label for coconut wording.
Two mid-range styles
Old arrack is a blended style with a larger share of coconut distillate than special arrack, normally rested in halmilla vats before bottling. The emphasis is on smoothness and roundness, and it is the everyday step up for many Sri Lankan drinkers.
Double distilled arrack takes its name from the method. The coconut spirit, or part of it, is distilled twice, often in pot stills, concentrating flavour and texture. Most double distilled arracks are blends in the same broad band as old arrack.
Both are made by the major houses, and recipes differ from producer to producer. The patterns below are general, so tasting two bottles side by side is always the best guide.
- →Old: defined by vat rest.
- →Double distilled: defined by distillation.
- →Both: usually blends.
Distillation against vat rest
Distilling twice removes more of the lightest and heaviest compounds and concentrates the flavourful heart of the spirit. Pot still double distillation, in particular, can leave a heavier, oilier spirit with more pronounced fruit and a longer finish.
Vat rest works differently. Time in large halmilla vats softens the spirit, rounds the texture, and adds a gentle nuttiness and light gold colour. It smooths edges rather than adding weight.
Some bottles combine both, with double distilled spirit rested in halmilla. When that happens, you get body and softness together, and the label will usually mention both.
- →Double distillation: concentration and weight.
- →Vat rest: softness and roundness.
- →Some bottles: both.
Taste side by side
Neat, old arrack tastes soft, round and gently sweet, with coconut fruit, nuts and a light woody note. Double distilled arrack tastes fuller and oilier, with stronger fruit and a more noticeable spirit warmth that lingers.
With a few drops of water, old arrack opens into softer fruit and vanilla, while double distilled arrack shows more depth and sometimes a faint savoury edge. With ice, old arrack becomes very easy drinking; double distilled holds its character better as the ice melts.
Whisky drinkers often prefer double distilled for its body. Drinkers who like a smoother, lighter glass often prefer old arrack.
Which to use for which drink
For arrack and ginger beer, both work well, with old arrack giving a smoother drink and double distilled a punchier one. For soda and lime, old arrack's softness suits the light mixer. For cola, either is fine, and the difference is small.
For cocktails, double distilled arrack holds up better in short, stirred drinks such as an arrack old fashioned, where its body carries the sweetener and bitters. Old arrack suits sours and punches, where smoothness matters more than weight.
For sipping over ice on a balcony, old arrack is the easier, more relaxing glass. For a slow neat pour with water, double distilled offers more to think about.
- →Ginger beer: both work.
- →Stirred cocktails: double distilled.
- →Easy drinking on ice: old.
Price and value
Old and double distilled arracks are priced in a similar band, roughly US$12 to US$22 for a full bottle depending on the house, with prices changing after excise revisions. Neither costs much more than the everyday styles.
For that price, both are good value, offering far more flavour than special arrack at a fraction of the cost of pure coconut or premium aged bottles. Many visitors buy one of each and keep them for different drinks.
Lankan Stays & Trails guides can help you pick a well-regarded old and double distilled arrack from a licensed shop on your route and suggest a simple side-by-side tasting.
- →Price band: roughly US$12 to US$22.
- →Value: high for the flavour.
- →Tip: buy one of each.
A note on coconut content
Neither old nor double distilled automatically means pure coconut. Most bottles in both styles are blends with neutral spirit, carrying more coconut than special arrack but less than a pure coconut arrack.
A few bottles in each style are 100 per cent coconut and say so clearly. These cost more and taste fuller still, so read the label if pure coconut matters to you.
Buy from licensed shops, check the seal and excise sticker, and remember poya days, when licensed shops close.
- →Most: blends.
- →Some: 100 per cent coconut.
- →Check: label wording.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between old and double distilled arrack?
Old arrack is defined by vat rest in halmilla wood, which makes it soft and round. Double distilled arrack is defined by distilling the spirit twice, which gives a fuller, oilier texture and stronger fruit. Both are usually mid-range blends with more coconut than everyday arrack.
Is double distilled arrack stronger than old arrack?
Not necessarily in alcohol. Both are usually bottled roughly between 34 and 38 per cent, though it varies by producer. Double distilled arrack often feels stronger because of its fuller body and longer finish. The exact strength is printed on every label.
Which is better for arrack and ginger beer?
Both work well. Old arrack gives a smoother, softer long drink, while double distilled arrack gives a punchier one with more spirit character. If you like ginger beer with a bite, double distilled matches it; if you prefer a gentler drink, choose old arrack.
Which is better for whisky drinkers?
Double distilled arrack usually appeals more to whisky drinkers, because its fuller, oilier body and longer finish feel familiar. Taste it neat with a few drops of water. For a closer match to aged whisky, try a premium aged coconut arrack as well.
Are old and double distilled arracks pure coconut?
Usually not. Most bottles in both styles are blends with neutral spirit, though they carry more coconut than special arrack. A few are 100 per cent coconut and say so clearly on the label. Check for coconut wording if that matters to you.
Do old and double distilled arracks cost the same?
They are priced in a similar band, roughly US$12 to US$22 for a full bottle depending on the producer. Some double distilled bottles cost slightly more. Excise changes move prices regularly, so check current prices in a licensed shop before buying.
Should I buy old or double distilled arrack for a first bottle?
Old arrack is the easier first bottle, smooth over ice and versatile in long drinks. Choose double distilled if you already enjoy whisky or full-bodied rum. If you have room in your budget, buy a half bottle of each and compare.