1960s Pezziol Cynar - 16.9%
Cynar is arguably the most commercially recognizable amari in the category Carciofo (amari derived from Artichokes). In 1845 an Italian pastry chef named Gian Battista Pezziol began producing a range of liqueurs under the Pezziol brand. The first commercial release of Cynar (circa 1948), was a collaboration with Venetian Philanthropist Angelo Dalle Mollein, marketed as Pezziol Cynar of Padova. Its popularity grew exponentially in the 1960s with a series of TV advertisements starring Ernesto Calindri, featuring the tagline:
“Cynar, against the strain of modern life.”
Sometime before that advertising push, references to Pezziol had come off labels and the ABV and shifted to 16.5%. This early 60s bottling retains the slightly higher proof and the Pezziol Cynar of Padova name.
Notes: Sharper vegetal notes - a bit stem-y; not off-putting - also bark and root. Caramel. Orange. Blueberry muffins. Balanced and soft on the palate. Light caramel. Bright cola - almost effervescent with the subtle spice blend (cardamom is in there). Faint artichoke. Simple, clear, and engaging. The bitterness is slow to build but long with burnt coffee.
Pour This For: The milk chocolate, caramel, latte lovers in your life. I prefer a pour of this to dessert.
Score: 8 (Stash One) Elegant pour. While the notes are rich and clear, the structure is ethereal. Very cool juxtaposition and a difficult balance to pull off. The first few pours had some stronger, metallic OBE (old bottle effect) notes. Fortunately, those blew off quickly and only surfaced sparingly afterwards.
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