Varnelli Amaro Dell'Erborista 1L (1L, 21%)

An amaro from Muccia in Italy's Sibillini Mountains, made by Varnelli, founded in 1868 by Girolamo Varnelli. It is a decoction of selected botanicals, including cinchona, gentian and rhubarb, prepared over a wood fire and sweetened only with multiflower raw honey from the Sibillini Mountains. It is unfiltered, with no colourings or flavourings, and its cloudy, opalescent appearance comes from the honey and lack of filtration. The distillery is now run by the fourth generation. The nose brings latent smokiness, stewed ripe fruit, sultana, gentian, rhubarb, sandalwood and honey, followed by a dry palate with powerful tannins and a drying grip, and a lastingly bitter finish.