Spirits

Whether looking for aperitivi or digestivi, these spirits can stimulate the senses, or provide perfect closure to wonderful meal.

Luxardo Amaro
The history of Amaro spans back to the Middle Ages when monks created bittersweet Italian concoctions used as medicine to treat nearly every type of ailment. For centuries, distillers refused to reveal the ingredients of this unusal aperitif; all that is known of the recipes surrounding these magic elixirs is that they consisted of around 40 different herbs, fruits, and spices that are steeped in grain alcohol or grape brandy. Amari delivers a flavor profile of layered herbs and spices that can be enjoyed sipping alone or complimented by fruits such as lemon and orange. Italians believe Amari not only stimulates the appetite, but that they also aid in digestion, offering a perfect way to “fade out” of a meal.

$23.10

Averna Amaro NV
The unique taste of Averna is owed to its age-old, traditional recipe. In 1868 an herbalist friar, Fra' Girolamo, drawing from his vast knowledge of natural substances, created a recipe rich with herbs and roots. The formula has been handed down over the years, intact and unadulterated thanks to the Averna family's hard work. For five generations, the Averna family preserved and honored its original properties.

Averna is amaro (semi-bitter), with a uniquely delicate and balanced bittersweet taste. Velvety and warm on the palate, it is an expression of all the flavors and aromas of the land where it originated: Sicily. Some of Averna's ingredients come from Sicily: the fragrant zest of lemons and bitter oranges, evocative of the fresh breeze of the Mediterranean Sea. But the original recipe is enhanced with herbs, roots, and fruits from other warm-climatecountries, ingredients that give Averna its roundness and softness.

To this day, the Averna family jealously safeguards the recipe and directly oversees the quantities and blend of all substances used to produce Amaro Averna. The different phases of the production process are carried with the utmost respect to the natural properties of every ingredient. Before blending, all of the natural substances used in Averna are submitted for rigid inspection, ensuring that the plant was grown naturally. Inspectors also confirm that each plant's active properties meet the company's rigorous quality standards.

In the first step of production, the mix of herbs, roots, and zests are infused in room-temperature, pure alcohol. Then, each ingredient is chopped, minced or ground into powder, thus fully releasing their natural flavors and aromas. This process is time consuming and is carried out over the course of many days with constant oversight. The infusion represents the living heart of the product. Sugar syrup and caramel are subsequently added to give Averna its classic dark colors and subtle amber tones. The final phase of production includes filtering and aging in large vats, a very important and delicate moment. In order to obtain the perfect integration of all its components, the Averna must age in silence, undisturbed for months in the cellar.

$25.36

Luxardo Fernet

$28.98

Nardini Bianco Grappa NV
Established in 1779 by Bortolo Nardini, this house enjoys the distinction of being the first producer of traditional grappa. When Nardini commenced operations, grappa was still under the creative aegis of peasant farmers, produced in an informal manner based on intuition rather than craft. Bartolo effectively instituted the modern process of crafting grappa. The Nardini Bianca is comprised of the pomace of Pinot, Tocai, and Cabernet.

$30.00

Nardini Riserve Grappa NV
Established in 1779 by Bortolo Nardini, this house enjoys the distinction of being the first producer of traditional grappa. When Nardini commenced operations, grappa was still under the creative aegis of peasant farmers, produced in an informal manner based on intuition rather than craft. Bartolo effectively instituted the modern process of crafting grappa. The Riserva is comprised of the same trio, yet is aged in Slavonian oak for a minimum period of three years.

$31.33

Averna Sambuca Licorice NV

$33.00

Averna Sambuca di Sicilia NV

$33.00

Averna Limoni NV
After years of successful distillation, Averna recently began distilling sambuca and other liqueurs. Averna's experience and precision is truly evident in these new products as they win award after award in their respective categories.

Produced with the very best Sicilian lemons and using only natural ingredients, Limoni di Sicilia has a fresh taste and an intense orange blossom flavor. Limoni di Sicilia is so perfectly sweet and real, it's hard to put it in the same category as other contenders.

$35.92

Tremontis Mirto NV

$38.40

Tremontis Limoncello NV

$38.49

Poli Grappa Miele
Founded in 1898, Poli has been crafting artisanal grappa for over a century. Widely regarded as the foremost producer of this spirit, Poli continues to employ the copper still, a medium used in the demanding “discontinuous distillation” process, which requires the Grappa Maker to exercise vigilance in the monitoring of the grappa by making continual adjustments to the style of distillation.

Poli has also authored the Policromia, an aroma/flavor chart that represents the spectrum of flavors delivered by grappa. The Poli Miele has deeper shades of yellow and orange, with an emphasis on both orange blossom and mandarin orange.

$49.50

Fontanafredda Barolo Chinato NV

$66.00

Bastianich Calabrone Grappa

$69.30

Fantinel Grappa Tocai

Traditionally enjoyed by Northern Italians, the origin of grappa is unknown. However, written word traces it to the mid-fifteenth century, where it was distilled in the Italian Alps. The first known use of grappa was to “rinse” the after dinner coffee cup with a shot of this delightful drink. Grappa is produced by extracting the alcohol from grape vinacce or pomice, the leftovers of wine grape pressings, and is then put through an intense distillation process.

Generally considered a digestivo among Italians, with its crystalline color, grappa is the Italian way to relax and enter a moderate euphoria after a meal. Enjoyed on its own, with a cocktail, or mixed with dessert this grape-flavored drink can be enjoyed dry or on the rocks.

After years of research, the Fantinel family launched the Suprema Grappa line to embody the pinnacle of Friulian grappa and Italian style. The Suprema Grappa has immediate nuances of the Tocai, a grape variety from which a wine of absolute excellence is made in Friuli. This grappa has an intense and unmistakable bouquet and dry and noble taste.

In its debut on the market, Suprema Grappa was highly praised by the panel judging the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Grappa Tocai took home a gold medal.

The exact origin of grappa is unknown although it can be traced all the way back to the mid-fifteenth century, where it was distilled in the Italian Alps. Grappa is produced by extracting the alcohol from grape vinacce or pomice, the leftovers of wine grape pressings which are then distilled. The Fantinel Suprema Grappa Tocai has the intense and unmistakable bouquet of the Tocai grape and a penetrating flavor. When this grappa debuted at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition it
took home a gold medal.

Note: Fantinel's Suprema Grappa Tocai will be available in approximately 6 weeks as the estate is in between bottlings.

$74.25

Po di Poli Grappa Moscato
Founded in 1898, Poli has been crafting artisanal grappa for over a century. Widely regarded as the foremost producer of this spirit, Poli continues to employ the copper still, a medium used in the demanding “discontinuous distillation” process, which requires the Grappa Maker to exercise vigilance in the monitoring of the grappa by making continual adjustments to the style of distillation. Poli has also authored the Policromia, an aroma/flavor chart that represents the spectrum of flavors delivered by grappa. The Poli Moscato is located in between the light shades of the yellow and orange areas, offering acacia blossom and sage

$74.79

Poli Grappa Moscato NV
Founded in 1898, Poli has been crafting artisanal grappa for over a century. Widely regarded as the foremost producer of this spirit, Poli continues to employ the copper still, a medium used in the demanding “discontinuous distillation” process, which requires the Grappa Maker to exercise vigilance in the monitoring of the grappa by making continual adjustments to the style of distillation.

Poli has also authored the Policromia, an aroma/flavor chart that represents the spectrum of flavors delivered by grappa. The Poli Moscato is located in between the light shades of the yellow and orange areas, offering acacia blossom and sage

$90.20

Poli Vespaiolo NV

$90.20

Poli Arzente Brandy NV

$90.20

Talenti Brunello Grappa NV

$98.00

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