Distilleria Valverde Amaro di Langa (700ml)

The Birello family have been preparing this Amaro since 1973, the same year their company was founded with a dream to set up their own business in liqueurs and grappa. It was initially labeled as 'Pilger', but in 2009 it became Amaro di Langa after the recipe was improved with the addition of a good percentage of herbs from local farms, including mallow, lemon balm, hyssop, lavender, rosemary and damask rose. They also use herbs, flowers and roots known for their digestive and bittering properties such as gentian, wormwood, nutmeg, yarrow and bitter orange. It adds up to a total of 26 ingredients, all cold macerated for a more delicate extraction. The resulting aromatics are complex, deep, rich and enticing with nutmeg and bitter herbaceous notes married with bitter orange, mint and gentian, hints of poached fruits and traces of cinnamon warmth. Softer, rounder and less assertive than the nose anticipates, the palate strikes a fine balance between sweet and bitter, with subtle notes of gentian, cinchona, cola and soft spices through the finish - a good starting point for newcomers to the category. 26% Alc./Vol.