Scarlet Aperitivo (70cl, 28%)

Scarlet Aperitivo is a bitter liqueur made by Iseya Distillery in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan, founded in 2021 by distiller Tatsuya Motonaga. It is made from 25 estate-grown and local botanicals, including wormwood, yomogi and blood orange peel, macerated in neutral sugarcane spirit and coloured with cochineal. Styled after 1970s Italian red bitters, it is built for Negronis, Americanos and spritzes. The pour is deep ruby red, with bright citrus peel and wild herbs on the nose, a balanced palate of bitter orange, gentian-like bitterness and floral lift, and a clean, persistent bitter finish.