Amaro Lucano

Appearance: See-through brown with a touch of red, yet quite dark. Requires holding to a strong light to discern transparency. Nose: Predominantly orange peel, with notes of mixed herbs, garden greens, and lavender. A hint of pine resin, eucalyptus oil, and celery is also present. Taste and Mouthfeel: Sweet orange flavor that's juicy but carries a slight bitterness. No "medicinal" qualities detected in this amaro. As it lingers, more bitter elements surface, clearly from a complex mix of botanicals, including parsley, clary sage, angelica, gentian, and wormwood. It possesses a pleasing warmth, and while the bitterness becomes more noticeable over time, it doesn't overpower the sweetness. The texture is thick and syrupy. Lucano is another classic amaro originating from the late 1800s. Similar to Averna, its profile highlights bitter citrus, likely from the myrtle-leaved orange tree's fruit peel, but is complemented by a substantial herbal character. There's an aroma and taste that strongly evokes celery or celeriac, but it's actually clary sage. This herb provides a similar foundational quality to this amaro as celery does in cooking stock, and it's especially significant here because, unlike many amari, Lucano uses relatively few root-based ingredients. The profile bears a resemblance to Meletti, if you're familiar with that amaro, though it's slightly less floral and more herbaceous. The recipe features gentle, herbal qualities, with bitterness derived from leaf and flower extracts. (There was a funny typo on the official description, mentioning "woodworm" - they meant wormwood, of course!). If you struggle to detect clary sage in the aroma or taste, try decanting the glass, letting it breathe, then smelling it while thinking of celery. You'll recognize it immediately and subsequently always perceive it. A delightful aperitif and a useful component for cocktails and mixed drinks. Next time you prepare classic sangria, consider adding about half a cup of this to the mix. "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

Amaro Lucano is among the most adaptable Amari available. It's easy to consume, with just the right amount of complexity to keep it engaging. It also performs exceptionally well in most cocktails requiring an amaro. Hints of mint are the first thing you notice on the nose, followed by herbal notes and sassafras. On the palate, it's rich, almost syrupy, with notes of gentian and chocolate. There's absolutely no burn on the finish, which closes on a sweet note but fades quickly. I've had superior Amari neat, but the value here is very high. Aside from one other brand, it's difficult to find amaro bottles under $25. I have observed its price increasing in some areas, so the value might be diminishing. Regardless, it's a dependable, everyday amaro that works well in cocktails or neat after a substantial meal.

A delightful and classic amaro, it strikes a perfect chord of bitterness. It possesses a moderate viscosity and a substantial mouthfeel, presenting a pleasing equilibrium of sweetness and bitterness. Expect rich flavors reminiscent of wild herbs found on the forest floor and those cultivated in a garden. It's excellent when subbed for sweet vermouth in a Manhattan, lending a deeper profile to the well-known cocktail. We've also found pleasure in sipping it neat over ice with an orange slice. It's quite revitalizing and serves as a wonderful prelude to an evening's celebration. To your health!

3.8.22 Served: Neat, Flute Bottle Opened: Same Day Aroma: Tastes like cola with a somewhat savory finish. Flavor: Reminds me of root beer bottle caps. It's fairly bitter, though nowhere near the level of fernet. Comparable to Ramazotti, Averna, or Amaro della Sacra. I expect it will perform well in simple cocktails.

A respectable amaro, but leaves you wanting more if you prefer bitterness. Shows promise on the palate, but the finish is unexciting.

A common amaro that's missing some depth. Some nice mint notes in the finish, but I'm not fond of the initial taste.