Velvet Falernum Legend

Sir James Taylor Mountjoy strode into the kitchen of Great Plantation House his Uncle had bequeathed to him; he was a proud young man. Sixty good acres of fine cane land in St Philip, Barbados in 1840 was indeed a wonderful legacy, and he was determined to make it a success.

One particularly attractive girl, perhaps 18, was busy on the stove with a large pot of boiling sugar whose sweetness filled the kitchen. 

‘Smells delicious, what are you making?” was his response to the delightful aroma. “It really has a wonderful tropical fragrance.  May I have a taste?”

“Well sah it make men rude!” answered the confident yet charming young girl.

“Oh I think I can handle that.   How do you make it? What are the ingredients? It is delicious!”

“You want fuh learn um?”

Fa ler num!  Good Lord what a fine name! Reminds me of the classic wine of ancient Campania beloved by the Gods, called Falernian.  Young lady this is a wonder of the new world: I will name it after you …what is your name?

“ Velvet sah!”

Henceforth it will be called Taylor’s Velvet Falernum, a noble liquor fit for the Gods! I shall have some with my rum this evening.  Bring me some Falernum this evening Velvet!”

So the story is told whenever or wherever good rum is taken.  One of the mysteries of the Caribbean the delightful, enticing, exciting liqueur Velvet Falernum.