206 products

Digestifs & Aperitifs

    • 89
    • Packaging may vary
    78 Degrees Bitter Orange Aperitif (700ml)
    Adelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $69. 99
    Bottle
    $839.88 Dozen
    ABV: 20%

    An Australian Bitters expression marrying traditional European herbs with predominantly native ingredients including riberrries, thyme, lime and quandongs. Cloudy orange, delicately tart, pith/peel and orange sorbet aromas. Follows through with pure, pleasingly tart orange and citrus flavours and a faintly bitter, dried herb finish. Cleansing and refreshing. Try it in a spritzer or an Aussie Negroni. 20% Alc./Vol.

    • 94
    Amacardo Black Amaro di Carciofino Selvatico dell'Etna (500ml)
    Sicily, ITALY
    $74. 99
    Bottle
    $899.88 Dozen
    ABV: 30%

    A delicious digestive from Sicily's oldest distillery made with indigenous wild artichokes grown on volcanic slopes. Translucent ochre / sienna brown. Engaging aromas of orange spice cake, fruit mince pie, sage, tarragon and oregano. A superb, semi-sweet, spiced orange cake burst; finishes drier, balanced, and super pure with a delicately bitter herbal, gingerbread, cinnamon and orange peel fade. Very moreish. 30% Alc./Vol.

    • 96
    • Reduced
    Lucano Anniversario Amaro Digestif Liqueur (700ml)
    ITALY
    Reduced from $69.99
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 34%

    A special Amaro to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Lucano company. Obtained using an ancient recipe by Cav. Pasquale Vena, and produced using a careful blend of more than 30 herbs including wormwood, gentian and holy thistle. Best enjoyed, neat, with ice or with the addition of orange peel. Excellent for cocktails. 34% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Spicy and lightly smoky with chocolate and cola-like notes. 4.5 stars - diffordsguide.com

    The plush palate opens with a burst of dark fruit—plum, dried fig and date, black cherry—leading into hints of espresso and vanilla. Clove and cinnamon bark warm the long, tingly finish. Consider as a dessert sipper. 96 points - Wine Enthusiast, reviewed by: Kara Newman 2023

    Amaro Montenegro Digestif Liqueur (700ml)
    Emilia-Romagna, ITALY
    $55. 99
    Bottle
    $671.88 Dozen
    ABV: 23%
    Closure: Cork

    Amaro Montenegro, "the liqueur of the virtues" , was created in 1885 thanks to the lengthy, impassioned experiments of a famous distiller and herbalist, Stanislao Cobianchi. The name "Montenegro" is a dedication to the beautiful princess Elena of Montenegro, who was engaged to Victor Emanuel III. In its over 100 years of history, Amaro Montenegro has seen its success grow continuously up to the present day, now being one of the leading brands on the Italian market. Produced from a blend of over 40 different herbs from all over the world Montenegro involves a distinct soaking and distillation process which results in a liquor sweet in taste with a slightly bitter finish. Appreciated as a digestive for consumption after meals, with soda, on ice or even hot. 23%Alc./Vol.

    Tasting Notes "Displays early botanical scents of orange peel, fresh not dried coriander, red cherry, pekoe tea cucumber. Palate entry is sweet at first then it quickly turns mildly bitter and botanical; by midpalate, there's a slight sweetness of tangerine/mandarin peel. Aftertaste is moderately bittersweet and citrusy.
    Rated: 90-95 Highly Recommended" -Wine Enthusiast.size>

    Other reviews... Deep copper hue. Rich, Christmas pie, nutmeg, and herb aromas are inviting. A soft entry leads to a sweetish, light-to medium-bodied palate of bitter, medicinal herbs, honey, dried blood orange peel, and treacle. Finishes with a great mix of the sweet and bitter elements. A deeply flavored, highly-drinkable digestif. International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
    RATED: 94 points (Exceptional)
    - tasting note sourced from www.tastings.comsize>

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    Aperol Aperitivo (700ml)
    ITALY
    $34. 99
    Bottle
    $419.88 Dozen
    ABV: 11%
    Closure: Screw Cap

    Reminiscent of Cointreau without the spirit backbone, Aperol is a refreshing apertif for any occasion. First made in 1919 by Barbieri - a small family owned company in Padua near Venice, Aperol has become Italy’s national pre-dinner drink where it claims nearly one quarter of the aperitif market. Produced using 16 ingredients including gentian, orange essence, rhubarb and quinquennia (china bark).

    Tasting notes: Sophisticated and delightful aromas of tangerine and rhubarb. The palate entry is delightfully citrusy and sweet; the midpalate phase offers just enough herbal bitterness to balance. Ends up refreshing, orangey sweet and delectably herbal. This deserves to become a popular pre-dinner quaff. Rating: 90-95 points  - www.wineenthusiast.com

    Explore Aperols bitter-sweet flavour to the full . Serve it chilled on its own or long with soda, fruit juice, spirits or sparkling wine. At only 11% alc./vol. Aperol is light enough to enjoy again and again in many different ways.

    • 93
    Applewood Distillery Okar Island Bitters (750ml)
    Adelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $52. 99
    Bottle
    $635.88 Dozen
    ABV: 24%
    After a process of refinement following feedback from fans of Applewood's early efforts, Island Bitters now replaces the original “Okar”, "Red Okar" and Amaro in the distillery's line up. Described as “a supreme example of the potential of native Australian Riberries, Native Currants, Blood Limes and Saltbush." Works beautifully in an "Aussie Negroni" or even as a novel twist on an Americano.

    2017 Batch tasted... Deep cherry red with garnet / crimson edges. Powerful, fresh bitter-herbal bouquet evokes semi-ripe blackberries, mint, thyme and citrus peel with later passes accenting blackcurrant and lime juice. Drinks as a silky, medium bodied amaro with attractive fruitiness countered by a surge of bay leaf, peppermint, citrus peel and delicately bitter, drying, herbal tea-like notes at the finish. Complex and refreshing.
    Autonomy Amber Bitter Aperitivo (700ml)
    Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $66. 99
    Bottle
    $803.88 Dozen
    ABV: 25%

    The earthy bitterness of the gentian root is balanced with tart quandong and fresh citrus to create an enticingly bittersweet aperitivo. Expect a deep and lingering bitterness that is tempered with the flavours of candied citrus peel and underripe peaches. Perfect in a White Negroni or simply with tonic and lots of ice. Note: As this product is seasonal, there may be slight variations in colour, aroma and flavour from batch to batch. Some natural sediment may also be present. 25% Alc./Vol.

    Autonomy Davo Plum Aperitivo (700ml)
    Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $39. 99
    Bottle
    $479.88 Dozen
    ABV: 15%
    Tart Davidson Plums and Rosella are balanced by sweet oranges and a hint of Tasmanian Pepperberry in this deliciously refreshing aperitif. Add a splash of soda for an Aussie spritz, or combine with a generous pour of sparkling wine and plenty of ice for a cool cocktail that will see you through a hot Summer arvo. 15% Alc./Vol.
    • 93
    Autonomy Australian Amaro (500ml)
    Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $49. 99
    Bottle
    $599.88 Dozen
    ABV: 30%
    Tasting note: [30ml sample] Handcrafted in batches of 100 bottles, Autonomy focus on native Australian botanicals including cinnamon myrtle, lemon myrtle, mountain pepper-berry and lemon scented gum. Smelling like a herb garden, this copper coloured amaro presents with aromas of thyme, lemon oregano, hints of crushed eucalyptus leaves and delicate bitter peel. It's silky and semi-sweet ending in a complex, bittersweet burst of mint, mixed herbs and citrus. Try it neat with a twist of orange. 30% Alc./Vol.
    • 91
    Averna Amaro Siciliano Digestif Liqueur (700ml)
    Sicily, ITALY
    $54. 99
    Bottle
    $659.88 Dozen
    ABV: 29%
    Closure: Cork

    A speciality of Sicily, Averna’s secret recipe was founded by monks over 200 years ago. Averna has an unmistakable taste that comes from the unique combination of herbs and roots. Its method of preparation determines its full flavoured herbal qualities and distinctive aroma.

    Tasting note: The deep sienna brown colour with a gold ochre hue appears slightly viscous in the glass. Smells like 'Chinnoti" with an attractive sarsaparilla / quinine combination, followed by hints of dried citrus peel. Viscous entry follows with reasonable intensity, becoming semi sweet at mid palate before finishing only mildly bitter. The ABV has dropped on this in recent times, and while we prefer some of the higher strength Amaros for all round concentration and added bite, this value offering is a pleasant way to finish a meal, every time. 29% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Inky soy-mahogany. Flowers, fresh herbs, licorice and mince meat. Rich texture. Lovely sensuous palate of wild, alpine fresh spice and succulent flavors. Very concentrated with a firm, yet silky presence on the palate and into the very deep, lingering finish. 32.0% alc./vol.
    91 points (Exceptional)
    - tastings.com

    Other reviews… An initial aroma of bittersweet dark chocolate, orange peel, and herbs; air contact stimulates scents of flowers, jasmine, bark, forest, honey, and very light quinine. The palate entry is intensely sweet and floral; at midpalate the taste profile turns cocoa-like with notes of citrus rind, molasses, brown sugar, and grass. Concludes sweet, thick, and luscious.
    90-95 points - wineenthusiast.com

    • 91
    Baliva Ferro China (700ml)
    ITALY
    $39. 99
    Bottle
    $479.88 Dozen
    ABV: 21%
    Produced from a recipe dating back to 1894 formulated by Dr. Ernesto Baliva in Rome, this is slightly less bitter than other similar Ferro Chinas on the market. The infusion based on cinchona bark and endowed with the properties of iron has been awarded 8 gold medals.

    Tasting note: Opaque raw umber / black with burnt sienna edges. Attractive, delicately bitter scents of earthy gentian / orris root over hints of grapefruit and citrus zest. Silky, semi-sweet entry preludes a medium bodied, grapefruit, bitter peel and gentian delivery; Minerally and very gently bitter to finish. Hints of mineral and dried herb in the aftertaste. Good bitter / sweet balance. 21% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... 5+ Stars. - www.diffordsguide.com

    Pallini is one of the oldest and most important companies in the Italian drinks industry. Established in 1875 by Nicola Pallini in Antrodoco, a small village in the center of Italy, it moved to Rome in the 1920s. Nowadays Pallini exports its product to over 35 countries. Their portfolio includes a wide range of liqueurs for professional and domestic pastry cooking.
    Beltion Red Bitter Aperitif (1000ml)
    ITALY
    $21. 99
    Bottle
    $263.88 Dozen
    ABV: 25%

    In the 1880s an aperitivo culture emerged in Italy, mainly in the North. It attracted imbibers of appetite-stimulating wines and bitter liqueurs. These primarily red-hued, wine or spirit-based drinks were infused with citrus, herbs, spices and roots, then mixed with sweeteners to balance. The slightly less bitter wine-based examples that continue today include Aperol or Select Aperitivo, to name just a few. More bitter, higher-strength expressions are Campari or Meletti. Both are used in Spritzes, Negronis and beyond. Beltion offer a middle-ground with their light and delicately-flavoured "Red Bitter" made from an infusion of herbs, aromatic plants and fruits. It sports a traditional ruby red colour and has a pleasantly bitter taste over a warming background. Use it in citrus-flavoured cocktails or serve it as a pre-dinner refresher over ice. 25% Alc./Vol.


    Beltion Red Ap Aperitivo (700ml)
    ITALY
    $21. 99
    Bottle
    $263.88 Dozen
    ABV: 11%

    Nicknamed 'The Spritzmaker', Beltion's new bright red aperitif is created with oranges, herbs, spices and aromatic roots. It is the essential ingredient for making the most classic Italian pre-dinner drink: the Spritz (Prosecco, RedAp and soda water), and at just 11 percent ABV, it stands out for its alcoholic lightness. Also try it over ice with 2/5 of soda.

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    Bisleri Ferro China Aperitif Liqueur (700ml)
    ITALY
    Reduced from $54.99
    $46. 99
    Bottle
    $563.88 Dozen
    ABV: 21%
    Closure: Stelvin

    Discontinued in 2015. Now available again with a new presentation in 2021.
    Originally a family of industrialists, the Bisleris have produced this very famous Italian tonic since 1881. It is essentially an aperitif in a herb flavoured, fortified wine base. Its producers recommend its as a blood tonic. Each 30 ml shot contains 5 mg of Iron [from Ammonium Iron (lll) Citrate] and when taken at any time of day, but preferably before a meal, is claimed to maintain normal blood. Ferro China also makes a pleasant drink mixed with mineral water.

    One member of the Bisleri family, Franco Bordoni-Bisleri (born 1913), was a famous Italian flying ace. The badge on the Ferro-China bottles was a lion so this was the image painted on most of his aircraft alongside the word “Robur” meaning “strength” in Latin. No doubt his fame helped to popularise the brand. 21% Alc./Vol.

    Bizzarro Bitter Aperitivo (750ml)
    Riverland, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $32. 99
    Bottle
    $395.88 Dozen
    ABV: 19.5%
    Closure: Screw Cap

    Hailing from the the Riverland in South Australia, this natural Aperitivo is produced by Delinquente Wine Co. Biodynamically grown Vermentino is infused with organically grown Riverland oranges and lemons, as well as a range of fruits and herbs. This creates a perfectly balanced Aperitivo, not too bitter, not too sweet and as a result contains much less sugar than other competitors. Equally suitable in a spritz as it is in a cocktail or on the rocks.

    • 90
    Bonal Gentiane-Quina Aperitif (750ml)
    FRANCE
    $34. 99
    Bottle
    $419.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16%
    A much-celebrated wine based aperitif made with gentian, quinine and Grand Chartreuse mountain herbs from an 1865 recipe. Often used in place of red vermouth.

    Tasting note: Translucent burnt sienna brown. Aroma is redolent of prune and grapefruit over secondary notes of quinine and cola. Light to medium bodied; mildly bitter entry is followed by a juicy, bittersweet prune and grapefruit burst; Finishes fresh, pleasantly bitter-sweet, earthy and root-like with faint quinine and grapefruit in the aftertaste. 16% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... 5+ Stars - www.diffordsguide.com
    Bordiga Bianco Vermouth di Torino (750ml)
    ITALY
    $49. 99
    Bottle
    $599.88 Dozen
    ABV: 18%

    A Bianco based on Piedmontese white wines, including some Moscato, and infused with more than thirty different botanicals, many of them grown in the Occitan Alps near the winery. The flavour is complex and vivid enough to easily stand alone, with an excellent balance of sweetness and bitterness that includes notes of coriander, black pepper, nutmeg, ginger and citrus. All of the herbal infusions are done individually and in-house, blended so that no single botanical stands out. Add it to your favourite cocktail, but not before you try it on the rocks with a splash of soda! 18% Alc./Vol.

    Bordiga Elixir China (700ml)
    ITALY
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 30%

    First produced by Pietro Bordiga using pure cinchona bark and other medicinal herbs, the recipe remains unchanged. Both wild and organically cultivated herbs are included in the mix, cut back with crystal-clear alpine water. Delicious consumed after meals, and revitalising enjoyed in a warmed glass. 30% Alc./Vol.

    Branca Menta (1000ml)
    ITALY
    $89. 99
    Bottle
    $1079.88 Dozen
    ABV: 28%

    Essentially a minted version of Fernet Branca, being based on the same recipe as the original including an assortment of 40 ingredients such as aloe, gentian, chamomile, angelica, chincona, colombo root, chinese rhubarb, myrrh, peppermint, saffron and iris. Branca Menta adds to the equation more sugar and peppermint oil. Recommended with a splash of soda over ice. 28% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... While Fernet-Branca dates to 1845, Branca-Menta was released in the 1960s, the result of younger drinkers who were putting mint syrup in their Fernet. Take standard Fernet-Branca and add peppermint and menthol, and you’ve got Menta. However, the current recipe is much lower in alcohol. The mint is immediately evident on the nose, and it brings out a cocoa character in the aroma that ultimately smells a lot like mint chocolate. Sweetness is evident as you take a sip — this is no ultra-bitter fernet but rather a more modern styling — and the palate hits like a mint-flavored glass of espresso, heavily dosed with sugar. That heavy sweetness makes Menta feel less refreshing than it should be, though the peppermint element is at least quite fun. - drinkhacker.com

    "Combines rooty herbal bitterness with invigorating and cleansing mint freshness." 5 stars - diffordsguide.com

    • 92
    Braulio Amaro Digestif Liqueur (700ml)
    Bormio, ITALY
    $47. 99
    Bottle
    $575.88 Dozen
    ABV: 21%
    Closure: Screw Cap

    From Bormio in the Italian Alps, a town famous for its skiing and the Stelvio Pass, a spectacular & dramatic alpine road which will be familiar to viewers of 'Top Gear'. Braulio offers a wonderful way to conclude a meal and tastes all the better if you've had a day on the slopes. Sienna brown in colour, the aromas feature spearmint and chamomile above a layer of florals and sandalwood, followed by a touch of liquorice and citrus. Rich and supple, initially delivering fresh mint and spice complementing the chamomile, the finish warms and lets the bittersweet complexities promised by the nose take the reins. The balance of sweetness, bitterness and fruit flavours is wonderfully maintained throughout. Consume straight over ice or even warm. Any which way, a delicious digestif. 21.0% Alc./Vol.

    Byrrh Aperitif (750ml)
    FRANCE
    $37. 99
    Bottle
    $455.88 Dozen
    ABV: 18%

    The new, slightly smaller format of the famous wine-based aperitif also weighs in with a higher ABV. Made mainly from Carignan and Grenache grapes from the hillsides of Roussillon in Southern France, the grape must is macerated with neutral spirit in order to stop the fermentation process. This gives a particularly fruity and syrupy mixture, called "mistelle". After a preliminary ageing, the mistelles are blended with dry red Roussillon wines. The blend is then cold-flavoured with dried crushed quinine bark, and aged for 3 years in large wooden barrels called "foudres".

    Simon Violet and a pharmacist friend, both from Thuir, in the Pyrénées invented this new quinine-based aperitif in 1856. Benefiting from the then fashion for quinine tonic wines, Byrrh soon became popular throughout France. Starting in 1903, advertising poster competitions were launched to promote the brand. Boosted by extensive advertising campaigns, Byrrh was a huge hit in the 1930s and by 1935 was the leading aperitif in France, with sales reaching 35 million litres. The brand became part of Pernod Ricard in 1976.

    • Hot Item
    • Reduced
    Caffo Vecchio Amaro del Capo Digestif Liqueur (700ml)
    ITALY
    Reduced from $64.99
    $49. 99
    Bottle
    $599.88 Dozen
    ABV: 35%

    Giuseppe Caffo built his small distillery in 1915 with the intention of creating the finest liqueurs from native Italian aromatic fruits and medicinal herbs. Over the decades, the operation has expanded considerably while remaining owned and operated by the family, who still employ traditional production methods and adhere to the highest quality ingredients.

    The company's 'del Capo' brand of Amaro is considered the premier expression from Calabria. While standard amaro ingredients include some combination of juniper berries, laurel leaves, ginger, orange peel, anise, mint, elder (sambuco), cardamom, saffron, gentian, cinchona, citrus zest, bitter orange, sage, angelica, licorice, chamomile, cloves and cinnamon, this particular blend employs 29 herbs and roots and is slightly less bitter than most Amaros. The intense, earthy notes of herb and quinine make it ideal as a refreshing aperitif or digestif.
    Serve it on ice with a twist or mix with soda as a "Cola Calabrese". 35% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Made using a mix of 29 Calabrian herbs and roots, this ruddy amaro is herbal and seductive, mixing root beer-like notes with honey and vanilla sweetness, all enlivened by a spicy accent on the finish. Versatile enough to mix into cocktails before dinner or to sip with dessert afterward. 94 points - wineenthusiast.com

    Campari Bitters (700ml)
    Milan, ITALY
    $48. 99
    Bottle
    $587.88 Dozen
    ABV: 25%
    Closure: Screw Cap
    Like most liqueur / aperitif producers, the Campari company considers its recipe as the key to its ongoing success. Consequently, secrecy is paramount. The complete recipe, kept in a bank vault, is known only to the company's President who overseas weekly production. With worldwide annual sales now exceeding tens of millions bottles, this cautionary attitude is perhaps understandable. What is known is that it contains quinine, ginseng, orange peel, herbs and rhubarb that are steeped in a mixture of water and alcohol. The drink is then coloured with cochineal. It's typically served very cold without ice but with a dash of soda to release the flavours.

    Other reviews...Light red color. Dark berries and spice on the nose. A smooth attack leads to a somewhat sweet, medium-to full-bodied palate with ripe and tart black cherry and dark fruit flavors that give way to a barrage of extremely bitter herb and fruit pit elements that dominate the back palate and linger as the fruity sweetness dissipates. A complex and dynamic aperitif that could use a mixing element to calm down the bitterness.
    International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
    93 points (Exceptional)
    tastings.com

    Cherry-red color. Nose is snappy and expectedly bitter in a woodsy, earthy, quinine-like way. Palate entry is mild in a sweet-sour fruity manner; midpalate is sweet and only moderately bitter. Finishes long and mildly quinine-like. While I’m not a bitters aficionado (more a bitter aficionado, really), Campari and orange do positively click. I’m savvy enough to know when not to argue with 58 million Italians. 80-84 points - www.wineenthusiast.com

    • 88
    Cappelletti Amaro Trentino Digestif Liqueur (700ml)
    ITALY
    $57. 99
    Bottle
    $695.88 Dozen
    ABV: 21%
    Made using herbs from around the mountain of Trentino including sweetened bed straw, peppermint, centaury and gentian. Can be added to white wine as an aperitif, mixed with tonic or enjoyed neat.

    Tasting note: Viscous, deep umber brown with gold ochre edges. Aroma includes hints of roasted nuts, sarsaparilla, grapefruit, light mint, liquorice, turmeric and understated herbal bitterness. A soft, nicely rounded and creamy-textured amaro with rich flavours of coffee beans, dark chocolate, citrus peel and vanilla. Pulls up slightly short. Faint bitterness late in the aftertaste. 21% Alc./Vol.
    • 94
    Cappelletti Pasubio Amaro Digestif Liqueur (750ml)
    ITALY
    $54. 99
    Bottle
    $659.88 Dozen
    ABV: 17%
    One of the first amaro recipes created by Guiseppe Cappelletti at the beginning of the 20th century using an aged wine base. Notes of the old alpine style here include blueberries, strawberry confit, pine sap and mountain herbs.

    Tasting note: Cloudy sienna brown. Integrated aromas hint at ripe juniper, pine needle, berry tart and delicate herbaceousness. Medium bodied with a refreshing piney, minty edge over sweeter notes of dried berries and crushed grapes. Mildly bitter with herbal freshness to finish. Resembles high quality vermouth. Very satisfying. 17% Alc./Vol.
    • 91
    Cappelletti Vino Aperitivo Americano Rosso Bitters (750ml)
    ITALY
    $39. 99
    Bottle
    $479.88 Dozen
    ABV: 17%
    Tasting note: Bright ruby red. Mildly bitter and herbaceous scents of gentian, grapefruit and later hints of cherry cola. Soft, semi sweet entry leads into a gently bittersweet profile with ripe grapefruit and sweet oregano. Ends delicately bitter, earthy and balanced. Like Campari, but more accessible. 17% Alc./Vol.
    • 94
    Cappelletti Vino Elisir Novasalus Vino Amaro Digestif Liqueur (750ml)
    ITALY
    $54. 99
    Bottle
    $659.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16%
    Tasting note: Deep umber brown with viscous, glass staining gold ochre edges. Attractively bitter herbal aromas hint at turmeric, sage, cardamom and cola. Entry is delicately bitter, svelte textured. Mid palate intensifies the bittersweet herbal qualities; Finish is mouth coating, dried herb-like with a prolonged turmeric and bitter citrus peel aftertaste that lingers minutes after the first taste. Very true to style and surprisingly concentrated at this ABV. 16% Alc./Vol.
    • 95
    Cardamaro Amaro (750ml)
    ITALY
    $68. 99
    Bottle
    $827.88 Dozen
    ABV: 17%

    An amaro made using Moscato wine with a key ingredient being artichoke thistle (aka 'cardoon', 'cardone' or 'cardoni'); It is the one and only wine-based amaro and the only one to employ Nizza Monferrato Cardoon - a winter vegetable similar to celery, but belonging to the artichoke family. After maceration is complete, the liquid is rested in oak for six months before bottling. Deep polished copper in colour, the aromas suggest citrus zest, gentian, pine wood, liquorice root and peppermint. The palate isn't heavy or particularly bitter - more medium-bodied, fresh and Vermouth-like with a zesty, pleasingly bitter, warming spice and quinine finish that also hints at bergamot, herbal teas and citrus. A delicious pre-dinner drink or refresher, but also sought out for its medicinal qualities, other ingredients include calumba, juniper, Gentiana Lutea berries, cloves, liquorice root, cardamom, lemon peel and marjoram cultivated in Piedmont. 17% Alc./Vol.

    Notes from the producers... On the nose it is strong and complex, thanks to the blend of the various extracts and the long ageing process. Spicy notes of Hunchback Cardoon, Gentiana, clary sage and liquorice are prominent; hints of dried fruit, grapes and ginger also emerge. The taste is sweet, full and well-orchestrated flavour reflecting the extraordinary balance between the sweet note, the bitter quality of some of the officinal herbs and the pleasant tastiness of the wine. The tasting experience is unique, with pleasantness unmatched by any other amaro, thanks to the moderate alcohol content. The long-lasting aftertaste retains the complexity and spicy notes of the herbs, with a slight hint of tobacco.

    Carpano Classico Rosso Vermouth (1000ml)
    ITALY
    $42. 99
    Bottle
    $515.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16%

    The company behind delicious appetisers like Punt e Mes and the best-selling Carpano Antica also make some more pedestrian vermouths, including two white styles, as well as this dark, fruity, sweet Rosso version, all based on ancient, secret recipes. Characterised by citrus and based on the original vermouth recipe invented by Antonio Benedetto Carpano, its robust notes of cherry, cola, cloves and bitter orange make it perfect for cocktails like the Americano, Negroni or Manhattan, or simply over ice or with tonic as a complex sipper to savor before or after a meal. 16% Alc./Vol.

    • 92
    Carpano Dry Vermouth (1000ml)
    ITALY
    $42. 99
    Bottle
    $515.88 Dozen
    ABV: 18%
    A new release from this centuries-old vermouth company (the producers of Carpano Antica Formula). It employs both wormwood and a native herb of Crete for balanced bitterness, while a dose of citrus helps lighten the finish.

    Tasting note: Bright pale straw colour with a green tinge. Fresh, lifted aromas of ripe grapefruit, dried herbs, orris root and delicate bitterness. Breezy flavours reflecting the bouquet are dry, clean, grapey. Finishes invigorating, delicately floral / bitter with hints of home-made lemonade in the aftertaste. A fruity-yet-crisp style for all applications. 18% Alc./Vol.
    • 95
    Carpano Antica Formula 1786 Red Vermouth (1000ml)
    Torino, ITALY
    $69. 99
    Bottle
    $839.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16.5%
    Closure: Cork

    Drinks writer, David A.Embury stresses that a cocktail will never be any better than the quality of the cheapest ingredient in it, and hence he proselytizes constantly for the highest quality spirits, liqueurs, cordials, and modifiers (fresh squeezed lemons, etc.) It's a philosophy we completely agree with. At Nicks Wine Merchants, we take great pride in our amazing collection of the best spirits and liqueurs from all corners of the world. However, good quality Sweet Vermouth has remained elusive, that is until we discovered Antica Formula. Bearing the name of the Italian distiller, Antonio Carpano the man most famous for inventing Vermouth, this is arguably the finest example of the style available today - an artisan product, produced in tiny quantities from the very finest ingredients.

    To use a frank analogy - to go to the effort of making a great cocktail that requires sweet vermouth, without using Antica Formula is like wearing thongs with a tuxedo. Classic cocktails such as the Manhattan, Negroni, Bronx or Corpse Reviver will be taken to new heights, while its bitter-sweet balance and generous, silky mouthfeel, means it can also be consumed neat as an aperitif or with desserts. A large measure with soda and ice gives a sarsparilla like experience. The only limit is your imagination.
    The Vermouth comes beautifully packaged in a one litre, mouth blown, individually numbered glass bottle.  

    Tasting note: Burnt sienna brown colour with gold ochre hue. Inviting nose of liquorice, dried citrus peel, cinnamon, and clove. A sophisticated Sarsaparilla! The palate is a joy. A rich velvety texture delivers initially sweet flavours; aniseed, portello, cinnamon sugar and spicy fruit cake, before the palate turns and takes on a slightly bitter character driven by orange marmalade and warm spice which persists into the very long aftertaste. Retains its freshness throughout and achieves the bitter/sweet balancing act with impeccable poise. A classic. 16.5% Alc./Vol.

    • 91
    Casa Mariol Vermut Negro Vermouth (1000ml)
    Barcelona, SPAIN
    $52. 99
    Bottle
    $635.88 Dozen
    ABV: 15%

    Vermouth is making a comeback worldwide, especially in trend struck Barcelona where bars even specialise in this refreshing aperitif. A new arrival to Australia is Vermut Negro, from a pioneering vermouth house founded in 1945 outside Catalonia in North East Spain - Casa Mariol. Their vermouth is made from a base wine of 100% Macabeo grapes sourced from vineyards in the Terra Alta region 700 metres above sea level. A neutral grape spirit (also made from Macabeu grapes) is used to extract the flavours of up to 150 botanicals including green walnuts, rosemary, thyme, orange peel, wormwood and cardamom. After the fermentation process, the vermouth spends six months aging in a solera system enhancing its distinctive dark colour and herbaceous flavour.

    One of the main differences between this and other Vermouths is the very low use of caramel. The result is a lighter, more fragrant expression with greater balance and complexity. It's recommended served on ice with a slice of orange and a green olive (topped with soda if desired) or in Martinis, Manhattans or Negronis.

     Tasting note: Deep sienna brown with a gold ochre hue. Opens pleasantly fragrant with sweet spices (cardamom, cinnamon) mixed with stewed fruits and tangerine peel; second pass finds sweet oregano and hints of sarsaparilla. Light and fresh in the mouth with a softly textured, delicately bitter herb / cola / mulled wine combination and light cardamom and grapey freshness in the finish. Shows deceptive staying power. Delicious, complex and easy-drinking vermouth. 15% Alc./.Vol.

    Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry Vermouth (1000ml)
    ITALY
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 18%

    Launched in 2015, the 1757 range of vermouths are a tribute to the company's founding fathers, Giovanni Giacomo and Carlo Stefano who established Cinzano in 1757.

    Other reviews... Light and herbaceous on the nose and palate, this vermouth offers fading hints of green apple, rosemary and marjoram. 91 points - wineenthusiast.com, ‎review by Kara Newman.

    ...Slivery straw color. Fruity, herbal aromas of green leaves, mint, and hints of golden raisins with a satiny, vibrant, dry light body and an effortless, breezy toasted nuts, dried lime, and hints of anise finish. A toasty and dry Vermouth for classic martini recipes. 85 points - tastings.com

    Cinzano Extra Dry Vermouth (1000ml)
    Milan, ITALY
    $20. 99
    Bottle
    $251.88 Dozen
    ABV: 18%
    Closure: Cork
    There are two basic types of Vermouth: The dark, more richly flavoured Italian variety imperative in many cocktails, as well as alone, with cassis or as an aperitif; And the light, dry French vermouth of which Cinzano Extra Dry is a locally produced example. Both are fortified and stepped up with various herbs. They aid digestion and incite appetite.

    Made using 14 ingredients including camomile and rose petals, there is no limit to what can be mixed with Cinzano Dry - its delicate flavours have made it a standard in bars around the world. Try it with Soda water, Dry Ginger or Lemonade. 18% alc./vol.

    Other reviews... Pale straw color. Nose is vibrant and brimming with off-dry, slightly candied and metallic scents of pine tar and damp vegetation. On the palate, it’s clean and keenly off-dry. Aftertaste smacks of roots and tree bark. Round, carefree and beguiling. Best Buy.
    Rating: 85-89 - tasting note sourced from www.wineenthusiast.comsize>

    Cinzano Rosso Vermouth (1000ml)
    Milan, ITALY
    $20. 99
    Bottle
    $251.88 Dozen
    ABV: 15%
    Closure: Cork
    Vermouth is the most widely used aperitif. The first known branded vermouth was “Carpano” produced at Turin, Italy in 1786. This was a rich, sweet red style. Rosso, or red vermouth is traditionally made using red wine. Today however, virtually all red vermouth is produced using white wine and blended with caramel to receive its distinctive red or amber colour. This dark, more richly flavoured Italian variety is imperative in many cocktails, but can be drunk alone, with cassis or as an aperitif, or mixed with lemonade, tonic or orange juice.

    Ingredients in Cinzano Rosso include marjoram, thyme, musk yarrow and an alpine herb called ‘Achillea Moscata.

    Other reviews... Very dark tawny tone. Heady perfume speaks of overripe grapes, quinine and roots. Agile, tar-like in the mouth as flavors of quinine, citrus peel, roots and berries combine in a piquant twang that’s neither clumsy nor cloying. Finishes tasting of ripe oranges and pink grapefruit. Very nice with a splash of fresh-squeezed O.J. Best Buy.
    85-89 points - wineenthusiast.com

    Cinzano Bianco Vermouth (1000ml)
    Milan, ITALY
    $20. 99
    Bottle
    $251.88 Dozen
    ABV: 15%
    Closure: Cork

    Cinzano Bianco is a sweet, fragrant and delicate aperitif based on quality wines blended with essences of herbs and spices. Extremely versatile as a mixer, Cinzano Bianco can also be used as a cocktail ingredient. Serve well chilled.

    Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso Vermouth (1000ml)
    ITALY
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16%
    Launched in 2015, the 1757 range of vermouths are a tribute to the company's founding fathers, Giovanni Giacomo and Carlo Stefano who established Cinzano in 1757. The style on offer here is said to offer more pronounced wormwood bitterness than most other examples.

    Other reviews... Pleasing enough to drink straight, this deep plum-hued vermouth features an oxidized scent that suggests raisins and dried figs. Rich and fruit-forward on the palate, the dried fruit flavor gives over to a relatively dry finish with bitter hints of grapefruit peel, gentian and dried herbs. 16% Alc./Vol. 94 points - wineenthusiast.com
    Citrange Limone Amaro (500ml)
    Sicily, ITALY
    $78. 99
    Bottle
    $947.88 Dozen
    ABV: 30%

    Citrange is a new range of amaro produced by Michele Faro of Pietradolce in Sicily. The Faro family have grown sicilian citrus on the slopes of Mount Etna for generations, which are now championed in the Citrange Amaro range.

    Limone contains lemon peel, gentian, cinchona, clove, oregano, elderflower, cinnamon & like most amaro producers a range of secret family ingredients. Suitably bitter for lovers of Amaro, great from the freezer and will freshen up many different cocktails.

    • 93
    Cocchi Americano Rosa Aperitivo (750ml)
    Cocconato d'Asti, ITALY
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16.5%
    A blend of two aromatic varietals (Malvasia and Brachetto) from Italy's Piedmont region which is fortified and infused with gentian, cinchona and citrus as well as ginger and rose petals.

    Tasting note: Pretty autumn-leaf red colour. The generous bouquet includes bitter sweet scents of unripe strawberry, citrus peel, gentian and tumeric. Excellent bitersweet balance with a light, silky delivery offering initial ripe raspberry and spice flavours over grapefruit and gently bitter herbal notes. Concludes dry and fresh, with spices carrying the aftertaste (cardamom / clove?). Enjoy on its own or try with tonic. 16.5% Alc./Vol.
    • 90
    Cocchi Vermouth di Torino Vermouth (750ml)
    Cocconato d'Asti, ITALY
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16%
    Closure: Cork

    The house of Cocchi (pronounced co-key) is a Torino winery known for an array of still, sparkling and fortified wines. In 2011 as part of Cocchi's 120th birthday celebrations, they revived their house vermouth (originally produced in 1891), resulting in the first genuine Vermouth di Torino (protected designation of origin).

    Tasting notes: Copper / sienna brown colour with a bright copper hue. Moderate scents of cocoa, followed by ripe citrus (blood orange?) making for a nuanced jaffa-like profile. Mildly bitter herbal notes, including sarsaparilla keep the sweetness muted. Light to medium bodied and bitter-sweet, the palate offers flavours of citrus peel, spiced raisins and sarsaparilla. Concludes gently bitter with an aftertaste of quinine, citrus peel and cocoa. A more delicate expression than the likes of Antica Formula, which some find too easily overpowers cocktails. 16% Alc./Vol.

    • 92
    Cocchi Barolo Chinato (500ml)
    ITALY
    $109. 99
    Bottle
    $1319.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16.5%
    Originally a therapeutic drink, this traditional Cocchi tonic is made from a Barolo base wine and infused with herbs and spices including quinine bark, rhubarb and cardamom before being aged.

    Tasting note: Deep brown with autumn leaf edges. Aromas of muted citrus peel, fresh-crushed grapes, red berries and sweet earthy, herbal notes. Follows through with a gorgeous wine-like burst; blood orange, sweet spice, new leather, cigar box and super-fine, drying tannins. Nice bitter-sweet balance. Rounds off complex, fresh and delicious. 16.5% Alc./Vol.
    • 92
    Cocchi Vino Chinato (750ml)
    Piedmont, ITALY
    $69. 99
    Bottle
    $839.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16.5%
    An aromatised wine from Italy's Piedmont district made using Barbera grapes and flavoured with quinine bark and herbs, amongst other ingredients.

    Tasting note: Translucent alizarin red with light crimson edges. Bright and fresh aromas of grapefruit, rhubarb, sage, bay leaf and cardamom following through with gently bitter flavours of fresh red grapes, Summer pudding, gentian, incense and a warming, mildly tannic, bone dry finish. Wonderfully refreshing as is, or try it over ice with a splash of soda. 16.5% Alc./Vol.
    • 90
    Cocchi Americano Aperitif (750ml)
    Cocconato d'Asti, ITALY
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16.5%
    Closure: Cork

    Cocchi (pronounced co-key) Aperitivo Americano falls along the lines of a Bianco Vermouth. Produced since 1891 from moscato d’asti and fortified with a touch of brandy, it’s subsequently flavoured with bittering aromatics like gentian and cinchona bark, along with orange peels and herbs. Toby Cecchini, writing for the New York Times Magazine, comments “...what has cocktail enthusiasts excited about Cocchi is that it is secretly acknowledged to be the most similar product in existence to the old-formula Kina Lillet.”

    Lillet Blanc, (formerly Kina Lillet), a product directly imported by Nicks Wine Merchants, was originally a bitter tonic drink, however the quinine content was reduced in 1986, leaving the market bereft of a properly bitter alternative. Though not as intense as Lillet, Cocchi’s product certainly offers a lighter and more bitter aperitif experience that should appeal to any mixologist concerned with historical accuracy.

    Tasting note: Bright pale straw / gold appearance. Mildly oxidised, grapey aromas mingle with floral notes. Further inspection yields hints of fresh picked, sweet oregano and ripe quince. A soft, round, semi sweet entry leads into a moderately concentrated mid palate offering flavours of moscato and dried apricot that’s nicely counterpointed by gentle bitterness. Finishes fresh, clean and gently bitter with a quinine, citrus peel aftertaste persisting. Try it in your next Corpse Reviver or Vesper. 16.5% Alc./Vol.

    • 96
    Cocchi Dopo Teatro Amaro Vermouth (750ml)
    Cocconato d'Asti, ITALY
    $69. 99
    Bottle
    $839.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16%
    This wine based Amaro is flavoured with wormwood, rhubarb and quassia wood amongst other ingredients, plus a double infusion of quina. "Dopo Teatro" means 'after theatre' and references the Piedmont tradition of concluding the evening with a chilled Amaro.

    Tasting note: Deep sienna brown with a gold ochre hue. Captivates from the first pass which yields quinine over herbal tea, green wood and hints of sarsaparilla. Carries through in the mouth with svelte like texture and flavours including cinnamon, ginger bread and hints of herbal tea. More clove and old tawny-port like to finish. Gently bitter accents at the fade. Perfect balance. Make a place for this in your next Negroni. 16% Alc./Vol.
    • 97
    Cocchi Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry Vermouth (500ml)
    ITALY
    $64. 99
    Bottle
    $779.88 Dozen
    ABV: 17%

    First there was "Dry". Now there's "Extra Dry." Released in the year of Cocchi’s 130th anniversary, this classic-style vermouth is based on a Piedmontese recipe using local ingredients. The base wine is Cortese, the same grape used for Gavi DOCG. The Artemisia Absinthium is entirely harvested from the Piemonte mountains. The aromatic profile is characterized by Menta di Pancalieri, a local variety of peppermint, and lemon, traditionally used to garnish vermouth in the region. Other botanicals include angelica, coriander and cardamom for a fragrant and balanced character. This vermouth will enhance classic cocktails such as the Martini or the Bamboo (40ml Cocchi Extra Dry stirred with 40ml Dry sherry, garnished with lime zest or basil leaf), but it also shines when served with tonic water (elderflower tonic is the preferred choice) or simply sipped over ice. Best consumed within a month after opening. 17% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Look for a pale straw hue and fresh green apple and white flower aromas. The palate is zippy and remarkably light, with mouthwatering lemon peel and the barest hints of fresh herbs and peppermint on the super-clean, brisk exhale. Martini-worthy. 97 points - wineenthusiast.com

    Contratto Bitter (1000ml)
    ITALY
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 22%
    This blend of the old and the daringly fresh is just the thing to revitalise your bitters experience. The first Contratto Vermouth recipes date back to the late 1800s and had their heyday as top tipples of the flappers and dandies of the ‘20s and ‘30s. Featuring Aloe, wormwood and sweet orange peel, cloves, cardamom, gentian, hibiscus, enula bell, juniper berries, mint, rhubarb, sage, swertia, nettle, ginger and more, many consider Contratto a superior option to Campari. Perfect in a Negroni or a refreshing spritz. 22% Alc./Vol.
    Distilleria Alpina Amaro Alpino (700ml)
    ITALY
    $74. 99
    Bottle
    $899.88 Dozen
    ABV: 18.5%

    Distilleria Alpina was originally founded in 1930 by Agostino Pontillo. Their Amaro is based on Alpine herbs and roots and includes 22 botanical infusions, though not all have been revealed by the company. New owners, the Sembenotti brothers from Trento state that rhubarb, gentian, elderflower and china calissaia (chincona) are in the mix.

    The style here aims at a balance between sweet and bitter notes making it suited for any palate as an aperitif or digestif. Enjoy on its own poured over ice or in a spritz with soda and citrus. 18.5% Alc./Vol.

    • 89
    Distilleries de Provence Gentiane de Lure Aperitif Liqueur (700ml)
    Provence, FRANCE
    $47. 99
    Bottle
    $575.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16%
    An infusion of gentian roots and wine.

    Tasting note: Saturated gold / pure amber colour. Almost bitter-sweet as gentian underscores the candied orange peel note. Second pass finds candied blood orange dominating. The light to medium bodied profile features fresh, juicy orange peel / pulp, becoming delicately bitter at the finish as citrus peel and gentian follow through to the fade. Simple yet so refreshing! 16% Alc./Vol.
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