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Savoia Americano Rosso
Distiller Score 86
The nose is quite jammy, with notes of fresh berries, orange blossom, sandalwood, and sage. The flavor is on the milder side of the bitters spectrum—more fruity and rich than woodsy and bitter, with orange, sweet spices. cocoa, and a mix of aromatic roots as its dominant flavor components. The richer, sweeter flavor finish is such that it's probably more spritz-worthy than suited for classic Negronis.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Martini & Rossi Fiero
Distiller Score 87
The nose is sticky-sweet, like a semi-melted watermelon Jolly Rancher. There's also sour cherries, orange zest, and gentian, along with lychee and violets. The palate offers candied fruit chews in front of a lightly bitter backbone, with tart raspberries and lingonberries, pink peppercorn, an herbaceous side with marjoram and thyme, and juicy grapefruit. The finish is short and citrus-forward for this bright, zippy aperitif.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Novo Fogo Brazilian Organic Cocktail Lime
Distiller Score 88
A decent balance of authentic lime aromas, flavors, and juiciness allow some cachaça funk to come through in a pleasant way. There's not much citric tartness present and the palate veers toward the sweet side. However, the cocktail is still refreshing to sip.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Lillet Blanc
Distiller Score 89
Notes of blood orange, ruby red grapefruit, sage, thyme, and oregano mix with subtle florals on the nose. The palate is a mix of ripe quince and pear, white grapefruit, rosemary, and floral aromatics bound by an earthy, slightly woody grip. It finishes with a honeyed sweetness and hints of rhubarb.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Cocchi Americano
Distiller Score 89
Aromas of sweet herbs and woodsy botanicals — mint, thyme, pine needle — mix with pear and stone fruits on the nose. The palate combines honeyed flavors of golden apple, quince, lemon, and pear with earthy alpine notes, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, sassafras, cinchona bark, and mint. It leans somewhat to the fruity side, with a honeyed finish, but with a balanced grip from the botanical mix.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose
Distiller Score 94
Really bright, intense grapefruit nose with the rose playing a very minor role here. The floral note shows up on the finish, but the grapefruit is there to stop it from heading into potpourri territory. It has a crisp, bittersweet finish. Of course you could use this in a cocktail, but it really doesn't need much more than ice and club soda to be complete.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Lillet Rosé
Distiller Score 92
Fresh raspberry and strawberry fill the nose, backed by notes of rosemary, thyme, blood orange, and a hint of florals. More of the same fruits echo on the palate in addition to tart and earthy rhubarb, mixing with woodsy botanical flavors. The finish is very bright, refreshing, and clean, with the citrus aromatics and earthiness keeping the fruity sweetness well balanced.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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iichiko Silhouette Shochu
Distiller Score 86
The nose is fruity and floral, with lychee, tropical fruit bubble gum, and roses, along with rice porridge and dandelions. The palate though is then grain-forward, with barley and cereal grains, as well as a grassy side with bay leaf, and also powdered sugar. The finish is soft and clean, with canned peaches, hay, soba noodles, and chrysanthemum bud.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Dubonnet Rouge
Distiller Score 92
Berried aromas of ripe red cherries, raspberries, and blackberries mix with earthier tones of pinecone, sage, bay leaf and a pop of orange zest. The palate is a pleasing mix of tangy, ripe red currants, blueberry, blackberry with earthy pine needle, mint, anise, clove, and cinnamon. Black tea tannins add back bone and balance, allowing a bright finish with subtle florals and spices to shine through. While it's delicious as a neat sipper or on the rocks with a twist, this aperitif can be used in a number of cocktails calling for sweet vermouth such as Manhattans and Negronis.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Lillet Rouge
Distiller Score 85
The nose is reminiscent of red zinger tea — slightly tannic, with notes of balsamic vinegar and thyme. These tart and woodsy notes also reflect on the palate, which adds additional flavors of tart plum, orange peel, sage, and dried oregano. The finish is rather tangy and slightly vinegary, with notes of ruby red grapefruit and a persistent herbaceousness.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Starlino Rosso Vermouth
Distiller Score 88
The nose is spicy and woodsy, with notes of orange zest and a hint of balsamic vinegar. The palate is sweet and a bit caramelized, but more of that woodsiness keeps the dial on the slightly savory side. It tastes a bit like a room temperature or cool version of mulled wine, with a hint of bitterness in the finish. The flavor may be a bit too spicy or oxidized for traditional cocktails like a Manhattan, but it has major spritz appeal as a sipping vermouth or even a chilled dessert wine.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino
Distiller Score 87
Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino has a bright, medium amber color and an intense aroma of fruitcake, cola, and menthol. It has a moderately sweet profile, but its acidity lifts the vermouth up. The bitter notes are present, but don't take over the tangy, sweet profile. Feel free to drink with the cheese course at the end of a meal.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno