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Right here's a challenge for you

Ive recently been introduced to Buckfast, I've looked it up online and it seems its a ancient Monk produced brew, wine from Spain, tonics added by the monks

But...

Can anyone reproduce it or give me an idea how to start experimenting with 'tonics' etc, i'm producing amateur country wines currently


Thanks in advance

Ah Buckfast, the favourite tipple of the neds of central Scotland. There is even an area of Scotland known as the Buckfast triangle!! Why do you want to make it? Do you like the taste?

Given this ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckfast_Tonic_Wine

... it's a fortified sweet red wine (so cheap plonk port with added sugar) flavoured with vanilla and boosted with caffeine. Oh, and exposed to the air to oxidise to give a "raisin" taste.

It doesn't sound at all nice.

But, if you must, there's enough info in the Wiki article to start some attempts. Not for me, though.

Mike

EDIT: I've done a lot of research on medieval monks. People tend to think that they sipped their Benedictine and Buckfast decorously and with restraint. They certainly did it religiously - every day and often each day. Monks were notorious pi**heads.

EDIT2: Here's a resounding review found on the net. Judge for yourself.

"Im a Scotman from Glasgow and i have been drinking this necter for a few years now and im a well respected Brittish Soldier all this hype about it being a neds drink is rubbish people think its cheap and nasty stuff just dont know what they are talking about why dont the scottish health minister try a bottle for himself instead of trying to bad mouth it you never know he might even like it tell you one thing if it gets banned i will be bying it on the black market thanks to all you great Monks Keep up the good work GOD BLESS YOU"

i hate Buckfast tonic so much. not only do i really dislike the taste - but the reality is these monks are making a packet out of alcoholics. Everyone knows it is the drink of choice buy those with drink problems - being cheap but relatively strong. How anyone claiming to be religious can make money out of these people is beyond me..

if you want to have a go at making yoru own - well I would jsut experiement with adding spices, sugar and spirits to red wine...

Thanks for the honest responses

when I said I'd been introduced to it I should have probably been a little clearer
I'd never heard of it and was curious (been getting a touch carried away making home brew)
I'll have to try it once following such heartfelt reccommendations lol

Maybe it won't be another experiment I try...hmm


Cheers guys x

oh sorry if i came over rude about it - i have the lurgy and am irritable at the mo... sorry...

why not experiment with wine and flavours you like, and see how you get on? if yo come up with a good recipe you could be quids in :)

You were honest not rude lol

it's all research for our 5 year plan (we intend to be off grid and virtually self sufficient) I'm looking into many avenues for things I can make and sell, you never know 'romiefast' could be a big hit lol

To be honest, there's been so much on the news about Buckfast that I was considering buying a bottle to see for myself what the fuss is about! From what I know of my likes/dislikes, I'll hate it; but I had to try Irnbru once, too (and yes, I hate that one as well). If you live in a country, drink what the locals drink. Well, some of them , anyway.

I believe somebody made Buckfast icecream, too...

I drank some Buckfast when I was 17. I'm now over twice that age and haven't touched the stuff since. 'Nuff said