Lazzaroni Sambuca (75cl, 42%)

Lazzaroni Sambuca is an Italian anise liqueur from the house of Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli in Saronno, bottled at 42% in a 75cl bottle. It follows a 19th-century formulation built on essential oils from steam-distilled star anise seeds. The base spirit is distilled from molasses and blended with refined European beet sugar, elderberry distillate, fennel seeds and a mix of herbs and botanicals. The nose is gentle, with wild berry bush and sweet meringue. The palate is sweet, velvety and oily, with bold star anise in the middle and light floral and herbal notes beneath. The finish is long and warming, ending on star anise and a mossy limestone mineral note.