Don Ciccio & Figli Concerto

Nose - fennel, espresso, almond, dark chocolate, clove, vanilla syrup, barley sugar, slight ethanol burn. Taste - sweet licorice, dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, barley sugar, clove, mild alcohol bite, finishing medium long with lingering licorice, dark chocolate, and coffee flavors. As I'm completely new to amaro, I was thrilled that a friend generously shared a sample of this with me. Interestingly, the company is based locally, but I hadn't heard of them until now. Let's explore. My initial impression upon smelling and tasting this is that it bears a slight resemblance to Jäger but at a lower proof and superior in every aspect. Beyond the rich, syrupy licorice, you discover smooth dark chocolate and robust espresso. It's akin to Jäger combined with chocolate and coffee liqueurs, but executed more skillfully than any of the individual components I've previously experienced. This isn't an exceptionally complex mixture, but it is a delightful drink on its own. Overall, this is excellent. I intend to purchase a bottle for myself, along with the convenient Discovery Kit they offer, which contains samples of all fifteen of their liqueurs. I imagine this would be an ideal after-dinner drink or even a topping for ice cream.

I'm not entirely sure what this is, but it's exceptionally delicious. I acquired it based on a recommendation from a friend. At just over $35, the potential loss wasn't substantial if it wasn't good, making it a great value if it turned out to be excellent. A quick look at the producer's website indicates this is an Amalfi coast-style amaro, made in the US (specifically Washington D.C.). It's crafted to closely resemble a recipe dating back to 1696 and is apparently made with barley, espresso, oven-roasted acacia wood, and 15 botanicals. I enjoyed it simply over ice. The aroma is dominated by dark chocolate and espresso. The taste, however, is astounding! Chocolate, espresso...and fennel? I detect a significant fennel flavor that harmonizes surprisingly well with the chocolate and espresso. Up to this point, the best amaro I had tasted was from Forthave in Brooklyn; this surpasses it significantly. If you're seeking an alternative to whiskey that is balanced, complex, and not overly sweet, this is a must-try.