I read the comments before making a version of this and I used what I had on hand. My drink consisted of Asbach Uralt 3 Year Old(because I saw some were using grappa), Yellow Chartreuse(because I don't have Strega), and Cynar 70(because I like higher abv). My version is sweet on the front and mid, while the bitterness comes in slowly at the end and lingers on the palate. It reminds me of a Boulevardier, but with more herbal notes. I have a Chilean Pisco, on hand and I'll revisit it.

surprisingly syrupy mouthfeel and minty taste

I had this to celebrate the release of Should I Stay or Should I Go on September 17 1982 (due to it being my funeral song of choice, and also there is a song Death is a Star on the Combat Rock album). I enjoyed it as written. The star anise really gives it a lot of punch, and I also think it would be interesting with mezcal, or possibly cachaça instead of pisco. Minor point - with three ounces of spirits, I think a 10.5 oz glass might be a bit big!

I feel this could do with extra pisco (or grappa) to bring the sweetness down a notch and give the spirit more of a chance to be felt among the liqueurs.

Can’t help wondering what it would taste like with mezcal, either.

Following Nick Hopewell-Smith's suggestion made again with grappa. Very flavorful. I do not keep star anise in the house, so we improvised with a light misting of Absinthe. Wonderful.

This is a grown-up drink. Very Bitter-Italian. As both liqueur ingredients are Italian, I tried again with a powerful (non floral!) grappa. It was improved.

I'm noticing subtle minty (Strega) and citrus notes (grapefruit bitters) playfully orbiting the gravitas of the Cynar (70, very rich). Made this time with Barsol Torontel (great floral notes!), Cynar 70 and Fee Brothers grapefruit bitters. And Liquor Strega... I didn't have any star anise so I added a few drops pimento dram. Five Dark Stars!

Used Amaro Calamari instead of Cynar. Great powerful cocktail.