Review: Luxardo Fernet Amaro and Amaro Abano

While Fernet-Branca is the most well-known of its ilk, “fernet” is actually a style of densely bitter amaro, invariably made with a secret recipe, though most include myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom, aloe, and saffron in the mix — at least according to Wikipedia. Luxardo makes one, too, billing it as “Fernet Amaro,” claiming an infusion of 15 herbs and spices but offering no other data about what’s in the bottle.

Additionally we’re looking at a different Luxardo Amaro called Amaro Abano. Details in the review below. Let’s give them a whirl.

Luxardo Fernet Amaro Review

Classically espresso-brown in color, the nose tells a classic story: anise, rhubarb, eucalyptus, and intense gentian notes that evoke the powerful bitterness that clearly awaits the drinker once they tuck into the sip. The palate’s on the thin side, unfortunately, its extreme bitterness dominating the experience as it washes out much in the way of nuance.

With zero sweetness to offer anything in the way of a tempering quality, the palate leans into the dark arts. Black coffee and cigar ash dominate, and while the experience opens up a bit to hint at prune notes with ample air time, it remains gritty and tough, an aggressive note of cloves clinging to the back of the palate. Some hints of herbs and spices emerge late in the game — namely saffron, with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg — but they’re fleeting.

Hard-edged to a fault. As Spinal Tap might suggest, it is indeed “none more black.”

80 proof. B / $30

Luxardo Amaro Abano Review

This bittersweet amaro hails from Italy’s Veneto, its recipe dating to 1952 and including cardamom, cinnamon, bitter orange peel, and cinchona amongst its ingredients. Cinnamon is strongest among that quartet, but it’s chocolate — dark chocolate — that all but dominates the experience.

Lightly sweet but layered with gravelly bitterness, the palate showcases secondary touchstones of anise, vanilla, and light-roast coffee. Surprisingly engaging, it develops further as it sits on the palate, more intense chocolate, more anise, more racy gunpowder. The finish has a vague fruitiness — blackberry, perhaps — that’s hard to peg, but which complements the more bitter/earthy qualities in the amaro almost perfectly. Amaro Abano is nothing you ever hear about, but it may just be the most slept-on digestif there is. Get some.

60 proof. A / $30

The post Review: Luxardo Fernet Amaro and Amaro Abano appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.