When it comes to amaro, the clue is in the name: the word for the herbal Italian liqueur literally translates as ‘bitter’. Not to be confused with mini bottles of cocktail bitters (such as those made by Angostura, where you’d only ever want to add a dash to season your drink), these potable bitters are best enjoyed as a more substantial component in a cocktail, topped with soda or simply poured over ice.
Amaro has been drunk for centuries, and more traditionally enjoyed as a digestivo in Italy. Some of the best are household names – especially since the cocktail revival has seen the style popularised; think Campari, Aperol and Fernet Branca. The liqueur is made through the sweetening and flavouring of a base spirit and you can expect something of a bitter edge. The resulting aromas of the drink can range from citrus and spice through to roots and bark in darker examples of the liqueur.
This year’s IWSC saw a range tasted and rated by judges, with Distilleria Sibona’s Amaro winning a Gold medal and an impressive 96 points for its ‘sweet, concentrated palate evoking deep Italian roots’ complete with aromas of eucalyptus and bitter herb.
Fellow Gold medal winner Essenza Mediterranea’s Amaro Eroico Riserva impressed with an enticing and decadent nose rich with roasted coffee and dark chocolate – making it an ideal digestif. Gabriello Santoni’s Amaro Aperitivo, another gold winning amaro, was praised for its rich, complex aroma of smoke, dried roots and well-balanced palate.
Find even more diverse digestives and cocktail cupboard must-haves in this list of 12 of the best amaros from Italy, all medal winners at this year’s IWSC.
HOW DO WE JUDGE THESE SPIRITS?
We run a tightly structured, rigorous spirits tasting process. That means that each spirit sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC spirit judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.
HOW DO WE SCORE THESE SPIRITS?
Only the best spirits sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.
MORE FROM CLUB OENOLOGIQUE
Club O is a premium lifestyle publication for curious and discerning wine and spirits lovers. Renowned for inspiring stories and trusted expertise, we connect people to the joys of the world, through the lens of wine, spirits and other interesting drinks. Based in London, our team of expert writers seek out thoughtful stories that introduce our readers to new people, places, drinking discoveries and insights, as well as exploring fresh perspectives on familiar themes. Membership to The Collection offers exclusive access to leading critics’ tasting reports, scores, tastings and events, especially tailored to collectors and investors. Our flagship Club Oenologique magazine offers even more insights for enthusiasts and collectors.
12 award-winning amaros to try in 2024
Distilleria Sibona, Amaro
Essenza Mediterranea, Amaro Eroico Riserva
Gabriello Santoni, Amaro Aperitivo
Gruppo Campari, Braulio Amaro
Scoccia, Siciliano Al Carrubo E Zagara Amaro
Distillerie Peroni Maddalena dei F.lli Andreoli Snc, Amaro Giulia
Distilleria Nardini, Amaro
Blackmouth Spirits srls, Ilex Amaro
Scoccia, Siciliano Al Finger Lime E Nepitella Amaro
Sestosenso International - Italiko Drink, Lamaro di Vino
Beltion Srl, Amaro Mediterraneo
Distillerie Peroni Maddalena dei F.lli Andreoli, Amaro del Gio
