Malfy Gin con Arancia (70cl, 41%)

Malfy Gin con Arancia is an Italian gin shaped by Sicilian blood oranges and Italian oranges. Hand-picked juniper and further botanicals include coriander seed, citrus peel, angelica and orris root, cassia bark and liquorice root. Blood orange peel is macerated in alcohol and then pressed in a basket press, and the resulting extract is distilled with juniper and the other botanicals. Torino Distillati makes Malfy in Moncalieri, in Piedmont, using vacuum distillation so sensitive botanical aromas are preserved at lower temperatures. Different ingredients are distilled in groups, then blended and brought to drinking strength with Italian water. The brand has belonged to Pernod Ricard since 2019. On the nose, orange blossom leads while juniper stays in the background. On the palate, pronounced citrus notes show a bittersweet interplay. The finish is long, dry and slightly bitter.