Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur (700ml)

Produced by Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, who also created Hendrick’s Gin, this stunning new liqueur is made from Sanguinello blood oranges picked from sun-drenched groves on the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily (one of the most active volcanoes in the world).

In order to maintain freshness and purity of flavour, the fruit is processed within 24 hours at Agrumeria Corleone. Three separate small batch distillations using a copper alembic are employed. The first uses the pulp of the orange, the second the skin in order to capture the fruit's oils, while the third includes Sicilian lemons to add complexity and balance. The neutral spirit base is lightly sweetened with natural sugar (sucrose from sugar beets, not corn syrup). The result is an immediately impressive liqueur that will find itself a home in any bar. It comes beautifully packaged in a bottle inspired by Murano glass with the punt shaped like an old fashioned glass citrus juicer.

Tasting note: Clear, viscous appearance with a pale straw tinge. Wow. The first sniff offers a stunning high pitch perfume of blood orange pith and pulp with an assortment of fresh citrus peel that both relieves the sweetness and adds lift. The aroma loses no intensity with time in the glass. A soft, creamy entry leads into a mildly confected fruit tingle moment that's quickly eclipsed by a superb, concentrated, gently warming burst of blood orange pulp / orange peel that's mildly acidic and more lemon juice like towards the finish. Turns perfectly tart to end appropriately fresh, vibrant and true to the fruit. Long, ripe lemon and fruit tingle aftertaste. A superb new liqueur. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Clear. Rich blood orange and Meyer lemon gelatin candy aromas with a rich, fruity sweet, vibrant medium-to-full body and a long pure candied orange and grapefruit zests and delicate mineral finish. Excellent vibrancy and depth of pure orange flavor. 40% Alc./Vol.
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 91 points (Exceptional)