Amaro Meletti

I'm always surprised by the scarcity of amaro reviews here, so I sampled five popular ones (Averna, Cynar, Meletti, Nardini & Ramazzotti) that I believe most people can find. I might do another tasting set later, but for now, let's move on to my least favorite. Amaro Meletti ended up being my least favorite of the five. I'm not saying it's terrible, not at all, it's just not that great on its own. It is the cheapest of the five, so it definitely offers value, especially for cocktails. The aroma is likely its biggest weakness, as I detect cough syrup and perhaps some faint mint. The initial sip has a touch of bitterness, but it's decidedly sweet, with chocolate and cinnamon. There's a respectable burn going down, which wouldn't be a major issue, but it's somewhat disappointing when the others around the 64 proof mark have nothing close to that burn. The finish also has some toffee and spice, but the burn somewhat interferes. Amaro Meletti might be my least favorite of the five, but it has its uses, particularly in cocktails. While it may not have the best beginning or end, the flavor is quite decent, if a little sweet. I wouldn't seek it out urgently, but if offered as an aperitif or after-dinner drink, you could do worse. It's actually quite similar to the next one on my list, and I gave them both the same score; this one is more about value, while the other is slightly better neat.

Appearance: Clear amber. Aroma: Mild, sweet, with gentle floral/herbal notes and a soft orange blossom character. It resembles a less intense, medicinal Cointreau. Flavor and Texture: Warm, sweet, with citrus and spices like cloves, saffron, cinnamon, cocoa, and vanilla bean. The texture is substantial, slightly syrupy but not cloying. Near the end, a mild gentian bitterness surfaces, and the herbal notes become more pronounced. The lingering aftertaste is well-balanced. The aroma is less medicinal than many amari. The palate is also gentle and smooth, lacking any harsh or challenging flavors. The base is sweet and syrupy but never becomes sickening. It's comparable to Lucano, but leans more towards sweet floral rather than herbal characteristics and is less bitter. This is a very approachable amaro, potentially an ideal introduction for newcomers to this category. Its profile is akin to a liqueur and less robust than some amari, with a satisfying and rich mouthfeel. If you appreciate liqueurs such as Drambuie, Grand Marnier, or Benedictine, this is like a softer, slightly floral, and less potent younger relative. Highly enjoyable, this is a good amaro, though not among the very best. The official score of 83 seems appropriate. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

This was a pleasant and sweet amaro, and it was strong. It has a nice herbal smell (then the alcohol hits your nose). It has a slightly medicinal taste near the end, but the blend of herbal flavors and botanicals with the sweetness helps to mask it, and that is what prevails. Some alcohol burn (it is 37%). Slightly thick, giving it a slight syrup-like consistency.

Warm and silky on the lips Palate: cardamom? Others mention saffron, anise, lavender Very sweet on the lips, just a little bitter on the finish Almost syrupy in texture Root beer-like?

Sweet, somewhat thick, with floral notes and a subtly bitter end.

Like the cognac of amaro - hardly bitter at all.