Amaro Nonino Quintessentia is a Amaro from the Amaro Nonino brand crafted in Italy.
Amaro Nonino Quintessentia is a grappa-based Italian amaro that balances bitter and sweet flavors with notes of alpine herbs, citrus, and spices. This unique spirit was created in 1992 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Nonino family's distillery, and it's aged for five years in barriques made from French oak and ex-sherry casks. Interestingly, the Nonino family revolutionized the grappa industry in 1973 by creating the world's first single-varietal grappa, made exclusively from the Picolit grape. This innovation helped transform grappa's reputation from a rustic peasant drink to a respected spirit category, paving the way for the creation of their refined Amaro Nonino Quintessentia.
Amaro Nonino Quintessentia stands out as a luxurious Italian digestif that blends traditional amaro bitterness with a uniquely refined sweetness. Unlike most amari, it's aged in barriques for five years, resulting in a complex, grappa-based liqueur with notes of herbs, citrus, and caramel that adds depth and sophistication to cocktails.
Amaro Nonino Quintessentia shines when sipped neat or over ice, allowing its complex blend of herbs, spices, and grappa to unfold on the palate. This versatile Italian amaro also adds depth to spirit-forward cocktails and pairs beautifully with rich desserts or sharp cheeses, making it an ideal after-dinner drink for cool autumn evenings or cozy winter nights by the fire.
Nose: Oranges and spices dominate, with cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of vanilla. Herbal notes of gentian and rhubarb add complexity. A hint of grape brandy provides warmth.
Palate: Bittersweet orange peel leads, followed by caramel and honey sweetness. Herbs like thyme and sage blend with spices—nutmeg, allspice, and licorice. Grape spirits add depth and a subtle alcoholic kick.
Finish: Long and warming. Bitterness from gentian root balances residual sweetness. Lingering notes of orange zest, cinnamon, and a touch of oak. Pleasantly dry with a slight medicinal quality typical of amari.
Amaro Nonino Quintessentia is crafted by infusing a blend of herbs, spices, and fruits in grape pomace spirit, then aging the mixture in barriques made from different woods. What sets this amaro apart is its use of the Nonino family's proprietary grappa as the base spirit, lending a unique complexity and depth to the final product.
I love Amaro Nonino. It is one of my secret ingredients that I add to cocktails. A Manhattan for example. Just add 1/4 oz for great flavor and smoothness. Great for sipping too.
This is an all around great bottle. Less syrupy than a lot of amaros, and provides terrific dimension for the cocktail I just can't quit: The Paper Plane. Also delicious to sip as aperitif or digestif. Highly recommend!
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Please drink responsibly. CA Residents: Proposition 65 Warning.
