Knight Gabriello Amaro Di Toscana

Score: 13/23 Nose: It smells of menthol with a vegetal undertone, creating a funky complexity. Other herbal notes are present but hard to pinpoint, though sage and cilantro are detectable. Palate: A bitter and sweet taste with menthol and vegetal notes (not rotten). There's a hint of chocolate and a subtle fruity quality, almost cherry-like but not quite. Other bitter herbs are present but indistinct. This leans more towards Amaro Montenegro than Campari. The cilantro from the nose comes through, but the sage is less apparent. It's less soapy than Amaro Montenegro but more bitter and minty, reminiscent of Fernet Branca. It has a stronger alcoholic presence, expected given its higher proof (30% vs 23%). It might lack the nuance and balance of others, but the overall profile is appealing. It doesn't possess the funkiness or sweet, enjoyable flavors of Averna. Finish: Minty with a bitterness unlike licorice. Hints of bitter herbs linger, complemented by a pleasant sweetness that makes it enjoyable. - Conclusion - Amaro Montenegro (14/23) is excellent with tequila. How does this compare? Amaro Montenegro is more subtle, making this better suited as a bitters component. It carries more of a Fernet Branca (15/23) character, suggesting a similar application. This drinks more like a cocktail ingredient, whereas Amaro Montenegro might blend subtly with tequila as an altered flavor. It should be used in smaller amounts, like bitters. A small amount mixed with blanco tequila offers a likeness to an espadin mezcal. Both this and Amaro Montenegro pair well with Old Forester Rye (16/23). While their characters differ, both integrate nicely and are pleasant to taste. I see this as a slight improvement over the Old Forester, though not a dramatic one. It's still quite good. Amaro Montenegro's improvement over the base spirit in this case is debatable. This clearly elevates the base spirit, making me reluctant to drink Old Forester Rye without it. The enhancement is significant. I was considering a score in the 15-16 range for this, but its mixing potential with Old Forester might warrant a higher score. I didn't expect it to perform so well. While I'm not confident enough to award an 18 based on this mix, a 16 seems appropriate. Mixing with Pikesville (16/23) creates some conflict. The pairing isn't particularly strong; neat Pikesville is preferable. With Whistlepig Piggyback (16/23), this still stands out, but diluting it improves the balance. The mixture with this is superior. Comparing with Amaro Montenegro using a mezcal (Los Vecinos Espadin), a significant amount of this amaro is needed to impact the mezcal's flavor. While not bad when potent enough, the combination is somewhat unpleasantly unbalanced. Amaro Montenegro integrates more smoothly with the mezcal due to its sweetness and mild character. However, does the Montenegro mix surpass neat mezcal? Likely not. It's interesting but oddly balanced. This, conversely, offered flavors that complemented the mezcal's bitterness and added spice and complexity. Is this superior to the mezcal overall? Perhaps, perhaps not. Based on this tasting, I'm leaning towards a 16. Revisiting this, my enthusiasm has waned. Its prominent bitterness is reminiscent of red food coloring. However, based on prior experience, I can't entirely dismiss it. Its applications seem quite limited. Even with Old Forester Rye, it's inferior to both a mix with Amaro Montenegro and the neat rye. This is now tasting actively bad. Rating is difficult in this state. It was better than average previously, but now it's poor? Ugh. There's a distinct artificial quality, similar to Campari, but sadly less effective in cocktails. This is challenging to rate, especially with a limited sample. I'm now certain a 16 is too high, and a 15 seems excessive. Considering the drastic shift in my second tasting, a score between 10 and 14 seems more appropriate, likely a 13 or 14. It consistently underperforms compared to the spirit it's paired with, often tasting actively unpleasant. However, it's not overwhelmingly bad. Despite the difficulty in scoring, I'm settling on 13. I would re-evaluate with another sample, but I won't purchase a full bottle.

It has an herbal scent, but the alcohol is noticeable if you inhale too deeply. The taste is pleasant; it's not as sweet as the RossoAmaro (the red one), but there's some initial sweetness. The herbal notes are good (perhaps mint and anise are present). It still leaves a medicinal bitterness at the end, but without the sweetness found in the Rosso.

The aromas have a slightly medicinal quality. Pronounced spice notes of clove, sweet potato, cinnamon, and anise. The flavors are very similar, with a stronger emphasis on sweetness. It remains spicy, with a finish of anise that has a mild warmth. Candied raisins also come through.

For the price, it's ideal. Not as bitter as Campari, nor as sweet as Montenegro. It's versatile, excellent in a negroni.

Contains herbal notes. Best enjoyed with soda or lime, or possibly both, served over ice.