Notes: Fratelli Averna dates back to 1868, but the recipe for Averna Amaro dates back centuries before that with the Benedictine Friars in the San Spirito Abbey in Caltanissetta Sicily as an herbal tonic.

Appearance:  Opaque black in the bottle, Rich dark brown caramel in the glass. On swirling, leaves a coating on the glass with occasional legs developing.

First Impression: Aromatic bitter orange in the background? Scents of bitter zest of bark also.

Taste: Flowery, bitter orange, woodruff, rosemary, lemon, angostura, gentian, wormwood bitter component to it, caramel, sugar, and mincemeat.

Drinks:  An interesting spirit to work with, a lot going on with it and many facets to be amplified.

Bottle: Clear glass bottle, cylindrical with a rounded shoulder 3/4 of the way up and a slightly large neck with a screwtop closure (and one of those odd antirefill pour devices in the neck you usually see on South American liquor bottles). Nicely done antique label has not changed and gives it a classic, timeless look.

Other: Makers of a number of other products – most of which are not imported to the U.S. . This  spirit is part of remarkable portfolio of the Domiane Select Classic and Vintage Artisanal Spirits Collection along with the following spirits we have already reviewed Averna Sambuca , Averna Limoni , Deaths Door Vodka , Deaths Door Gin, G Vine Floraison , G’Vine Nouaison , Rhum J.M Blanc , Rhum J.M. Gold , Rhum J.M VSOP , Rhum J.M. Vieux , Stranahan Colorado Whiskey, Suprema Grappa along with others we have not yet reviewed but hope to in the future, given the quality of what we have already reviewed.

We applaud Domaine Select in spearheading a conscious decision to assemble a portfolio of artisanal spirits and to provide distribution and access to such a group of spirits to the trade and consumers. If only other companies did such a thing we would all be drinking in a better world.

Final Thoughts: An interesting bitter and a good addition to any cocktailian’s bar cabinet.

Website: http://www.averna.it or http://www.avernausa.com

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