Amaro GIF (1960s) - 30%
Not much readily available on this one, so I'm doing my best with Google Translate. Amaro GIF comes out of Bologna, in Northern Italy. Montenegro is probably the most famous amaro from that city. The label reads "Amaro Fernettato" which translates to "fernetted bitter." (I compiled my tasting notes before the research so it's interesting to see where that tracks.) The amaro was produced and bottled by S.A.S. Circo Frassineti. That facility pumped out a lot of liqueurs in the 1950s and 1960s. Estimations based on what turns up online and at auction, there was less production moving into the 1970s. Couldn't find an end date for any of the brands or a closure date for the production facility. The bottle claims Amaro GIF's recipe has a monastic lineage tying it to the Capuchin Fathers of Bologna. Named after the large hoods on their habits, Capuchins were followers of St. Francis of Assisi.
Notes: Lots of savory spices and chocolate on the nose. Not overly complex, but layered and interesting. The palate leads with those savory, dried spices and then pops fresh mint. Citrus peel. Duller, bitter, medicinal notes - angelica root, black aloe - play underneath everything. There's the "fernetted" influence. Finish is clean and leans shorter for vintage amari.
Score: 7 (Highly Recommend) Light style. Not overly bitter. Tame mentholated notes. Plenty of chocolate and complex spice. Layered and approachable. No cola and the ABV is lower than traditional fernet. Guessing "fernetted" means a soft nod to that style by way of mint and medicinal notes. This would be fun to play with in an Amaro Daiquiri.
Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Anything Else To Drink?
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour