Luxardo Antico

Product of: Italy

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Luxardo's interpretation of a vermouth-style aperitivo, Luxardo Antico is made from naturally fermented fortified marasca cherry juice aged in oak vats and infused with herbs and spices.

Juice from Marasca cherries is set aside during the summer harvest and left to mature until natural fermentation occurs. Neutral alcohol is then added to fortify and stop the fermentation so retaining some of the fruit's natural sugars. Antico is then aged in oak vats with a final infusion of herbs and spices added to finish.

This vermouth-style liqueur is also something of a reincarnation as up to the 1960s, Girolamo Luxardo made a liqueur called Antico Liquore delle Monache Benedettine liqueur.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 28/08/2021

Appearance:

Clear, deep burgundy red.

Aroma:

Vinous cherry with orange zest, nutmeg, and cinnamon spices.

Taste:

Herb and spiced infused cherry wine with white pepper spice, bitter herbs (wormwood perhaps) and tannins balancing rich fruit.

Aftertaste:

Long, fruity, lightly bitter finish.

Overall:

Voluptuous bittersweetness with peppery spice and herbal complexity. Very enjoyable as an aperitivo neat chilled/over ice or in place of sweet vermouth or aromatised wines in a cocktail.