Free Shipping With The BC Shipping Pass
Sign up for unlimited free shipping with our $199/yr Shipping Pass. Takes <5 shipments of your favorite wines and spirits to recoup the cost. Plus get Eagle Rare for $50 with your purchase.
Learn MoreDiscover the exquisite charm of Nonino Amaro Quintessentia, a masterful Italian amaro crafted by the renowned Nonino Distillery in Friuli. This exceptional liqueur blends artisanal tradition with innovation, featuring a base of aged ÙE® Grape Distillate infused with a secret medley of botanicals, including gentian, saffron, licorice, and bitter orange. Aged in oak barriques, its complex flavor profile harmonizes bittersweet orange, caramel, spices, and herbal notes with a touch of chocolate and vanilla. With its amber hue and velvety finish, it's perfect as a digestif or in cocktails like the Paper Plane. A true gem for connoisseurs and newcomers alike, Nonino Amaro Quintessentia epitomizes the sophistication of Italian distillation.
Process & Profile
Nonino Amaro Quintessentia is a true testament to artisanal craftsmanship. It begins with the infusion of a meticulously curated blend of alpine herbs, roots, citrus fruits, and exotic botanicals. This is combined with the Nonino family's signature aged grape distillate, ÙE®, which is made from whole grape clusters. The distillation process is conducted in copper steam stills, followed by aging in small oak barriques for 24 months. This dual-aging approach imparts depth, complexity, and a velvety texture to the amaro. With an alcohol content of 35%, it embodies richness and heritage in every drop.Tasting Notes
Nonino Amaro Quintessentia offers an exceptional sensory experience:- Aroma: A captivating bouquet of herbs, citrus zest, caramelized vanilla, and subtle notes of chocolate and spices.
- Palate: Smooth and balanced with flavors of rhubarb, orange peel, gentian, and hints of cocoa and honey. It combines bittersweet herbal notes with a touch of fruity depth, thanks to the aged grape distillate.
- Body: Full-bodied with a luxurious, velvety texture that enhances its sip-worthy character.
- Finish: A long, bittersweet finish with lingering notes of dried fruit, dark chocolate, and a gentle herbal bitterness.
What Makes It Special
The distinctiveness of Nonino Amaro Quintessentia lies in its meticulous craftsmanship and heritage:- Family Tradition: Rooted in the Nonino family's legacy since 1897, its unique recipe has been refined over generations.
- Grape Distillate Base: Unlike most amaros, it uses ÙE®, an artisanal grape distillate, instead of a neutral spirit. This adds a fruity nuance and smoothness that sets it apart.
- Natural Aging: The amaro undergoes 24 months of aging in oak barrels under rigorous control, deepening its complexity and richness.
- Versatility: Its nuanced flavor profile makes it an excellent choice for sipping, mixing in cocktails, or pairing with desserts and cheeses.
How to Enjoy
Nonino Amaro Quintessentia is a versatile addition to any spirits collection. Here's how you can savor it:- Neat: Serve it in a balloon glass at room temperature to appreciate its complexity and warmth.
- On the Rocks: Add a slice of orange to enhance its citrusy and herbal notes.
- Cocktails: Elevate classics like the Paper Plane or a modern Negroni with its bittersweet depth.
- Food Pairings: Pair it with aged cheeses, tiramisu, or dark chocolate for a luxurious treat.
- Digestif Style: Traditionally enjoyed after a meal for its digestive properties, it's perfect for rounding off an indulgent dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nonino Amaro Quintessentia?
Nonino Amaro Quintessentia is a premium Italian amaro crafted from a base of aged grape distillate (grappa) and infused with an artisanal blend of herbs, spices, roots, and botanicals, including gentian, wormwood, thyme, and quinine. It is double-aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 24 months, providing a unique balance of bittersweet flavors and aromatic complexity.
What does it taste like?
The flavor profile is a harmonious mix of bittersweet and herbal notes, with highlights of gentian, rhubarb, citrus zest, menthol, and a touch of caramelized sweetness. It finishes with warmth and lingering herbal character. Its aroma includes hints of orange zest, thyme, and exotic botanicals like mango and saffron, making it both sophisticated and inviting.
How should I serve Amaro Nonino Quintessentia?
It can be served in several ways—neat at room temperature, on the rocks, or as an ingredient in cocktails. It pairs beautifully with desserts like tiramisu, chocolate, or aged cheeses. Additionally, it is an essential ingredient in the popular "Paper Plane" cocktail and works well in aperitifs or digestifs.
What makes Nonino Amaro Quintessentia unique?
This amaro stands out due to its base of aged grape distillate, its artisanal production rooted in a family recipe dating back to 1897, and its double-aging in oak barrels, enhancing its depth and complexity. Unlike other amari, it is less syrupy, offering a smoother and more balanced sensory experience.
What is the alcohol content?
Nonino Amaro Quintessentia has an alcohol content of 35% ABV, making it robust yet approachable for sipping or mixing into cocktails.
Is it vegan and made with natural ingredients?
Yes, Nonino Amaro is crafted with all-natural ingredients and is vegan-friendly. This follows the Nonino family's commitment to quality and authenticity in their distillation process.
What are some popular cocktails using Nonino Amaro Quintessentia?
- **Paper Plane:** A modern classic with equal parts Nonino Amaro, bourbon, Aperol, and lemon juice. - **On the Rocks:** A refreshing serve that highlights its herbal and citrus notes. - **Sangria Nonino:** A creative variation on classic sangria with distinct herbal depth.
Where is Nonino Amaro Quintessentia produced?
It is produced by the Nonino Distilleries in the Friuli region of Italy, a location known for its rich cultural cross-influences and history of distillation expertise dating back over a century.
Can it be used as a digestive or aperitif?
Yes, Nonino Amaro is perfect as both an aperitif (before meals) or a digestif (after meals), thanks to its balanced bittersweet profile and herbal complexity. It aids digestion and is ideal for savoring after a rich meal.
What is the best way to store it?
Store your bottle in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, it can remain fresh and flavorful for an extended period when properly sealed.
Nonino Amaro Quintessentia — Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Nonino different from other amari?
The base spirit. Almost every amaro is built on neutral alcohol; Nonino Quintessentia is built on the family's own aged grappa, then rested in barriques. That is why it tastes rounder, warmer and less medicinal than the rest of the category — orange peel, honey, a little caramel and gentle alpine herbs, with a bitterness that arrives politely and leaves quickly. It is the least confrontational serious amaro on the shelf.
Is this a good amaro for a beginner?
It is the best one in the category for that job. Where Fernet Branca takes five or six encounters to click and Montenegro divides people on the first sip, Nonino tends to work immediately. The catch is price — it is the most expensive bottle in most amaro line-ups. If you want a cheaper entry point to learn the category shape first, Ramazzotti does that job well.
How should I serve it?
Two ounces, neat, at cellar temperature rather than straight from the fridge — unlike the fernet and Calabrian styles, Nonino's grappa base and barrel ageing give it aromatics that cold will flatten. A large cube and an orange twist is the other standard serve. It is one of the few amari genuinely worth drinking from a proper stemmed glass, because there is something to smell.
What cocktail is Nonino best known for?
The Paper Plane — equal parts bourbon, Nonino, Aperol and lemon juice, shaken. It is one of the few modern classics to enter the standard repertoire, and Nonino is not substitutable in it. Beyond that, a half-ounce in a bourbon sour or an Old Fashioned adds dried-fruit and bitter-orange depth without making the drink sweet. Bartenders reach for this bottle specifically when they want amaro in a whiskey drink.
Why is it more expensive than other amari?
Grappa costs more than neutral spirit, and the Nonino family are grappa producers first — they built their reputation on single-varietal distillation before they made amaro. Add barrique ageing on top and the cost structure is closer to an aged spirit than to a flavoured liqueur. Whether that is worth the premium depends on how you drink it: neat, it is clearly the best bottle here; buried in a cola highball, it is not.
Does it keep once opened?
Yes — well over a year on the shelf and longer in a cool cupboard. Amaro has enough alcohol and sugar to be stable, so unlike vermouth there is no clock running once you pull the cork. That makes an expensive bottle like this a reasonable buy even if you only pour it occasionally. The rest of the category sits in Cordials & Liqueurs.
Unfortunately, we're unable to ship to PO Boxes and APO addresses.
Adult signature (21+) required upon delivery.
You may also like
Recently viewed
