When Luxardo marasca cherries are harvested at the beginning of every summer, they are put in alcoholic infusion in larch-wood vats together with some leaves and branches of the same trees for up to three years. When ready, both the liquid and the solid parts are distilled in traditional copper pot stills, separating the heart from heads and tails. Only the heart of the distillate is then allowed to mature in ash-wood vats. The last process consists in transforming the distillate in liqueur by adding a simple syrup of water and sugar lowering the ABV to 32%. Crystal clear in colour, the aroma is typical of marasca cherry distillate with strong alcohol spirit and roasted nuttiness, while the taste results smooth but sharp at the same time with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and orange marmalade. The tall green bottle with its red cap is still hand-plaited in straw within the company, and resembles the Maraschino bottles produced in Zara in the early days, where the straw was placed in order to prevent damage during transportation.
Nose: Kirsch eau-de-vie like with strong alcohol spirit (surprisingly so for its abv) with roasted nuttiness and faint smoke.
Palate: Intense, thick and syrupy with sweetness partially offset by fruit tartness. Very strong flavored ‐ concentrated cherry juice and cherry jam with black pepper spice. It's smooth and sharp, with flavor notes of dark chocolate, orange marmalade, and vanilla.
Finish: White chocolate and cherry finish.
32% ABV
Star anise, herbs and spices, alcohol, sugar and pure volcanic water from Luxardo own springs, are the key ingredients that distinguish Luxardo Sambuca dei Cesari.
Nose: Pine and coriander gin-like notes with cracked black pepper, anise and black liquorice.
Palate: Syrupy mouthfeel, very sweet, clean rich aniseed and liquorice with subtle coriander.
Finish: Big aniseed finish with a long lingering bitter note.
38% ABV