Amaro Nonino Quintessentia 750ml

Nonino is a grappa family, and their amaro shows it. Antonio Nonino wrote the original herbal recipe in Friuli in 1933. Since 1992 the family has built it on ÙE, their own grape distillate, aged more than 12 months in Nevers and Limousin barriques and small ex-sherry casks, instead of a neutral spirit. It is made at the distillery in Percoto and bottled at 35%.

That aged base is why it is so gentle for an amaro: bitter orange, caramel and vanilla, a little allspice, and the bitterness only arrives late.

If Fernet-Branca is too much for you, start here. It is also the amaro in Sam Ross's modern classic, the Paper Plane.

Serve it neat at room temperature after dinner. Before dinner, the family's own serve is a glass over ice with sparkling wine and a slice of orange.

More amari are under liqueurs and cordials, and lighter bitters under vermouth and aperitifs. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.