Tempus Fugit Kina L'Aero

I had high expectations for this bottle, unfortunately I don't think it's nearly as good as many others believe. This bottle is supposed to be a close representation of Kina Lillet, a long defunct aperitif bottle from back in the day (most famously used in the Vesper cocktail). From what I've read Kina Lillet was heavy on the quinine, which I don't believe this is. The nose is heavy on the orange notes, along with a touch of vanilla. The first couple sips you get some bitterness, but the quinine is more in the background. It does have a syrupy quality to it. The orange notes are still present on the palate. The finish is quick, with no burn and notes of elderflower and a hint of spice. Overall, it's not bad and works well as an aperitif. However, I can't seem to get the notion out of my head that this is just a much tamer version of Kina Lillet. I don't doubt this is well made and may even be close to what Kina Lillet tasted like back in the day, but if so, I wouldn't say it blew me away. It's decent enough, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it unless you were a big fan of the Vesper cocktail, which this does make for a better Vesper than Lillet Blanc.

Nice in a Vesper, Cocchi Americano competitor.

An intense, Aromatized Wine produced in Switzerland with Cortese grapes from Piedmont, Italy & infused with botanicals such as South American cinchona bark, wormwood, orange peel & spices. It has an aromatic birth with notes of citrus, herbs & spices; while a jammy life adds notes of quince jam, orange marmalade & dessert wine; that led to a long & bitter death with notes of wormwood. June 2023

Sensational perfumed aperitif wine. Starts with a sweet blossom and rounded berry fruits that evolves with a bitter finish. This and Cocchi Americano are my picks for a Vesper cocktail.