The Aperol in Aperol Spritz. I kept the last ounce or so to make a review on this Italian Aperitivo which is the base of an incredibly popular cocktail. As stated on the front label, it has been around for many decades (1919) before getting worldwide recognition. I never tried it neat so this will be a first experience for me as well.
“a punch of citrus aromas…”
Aperol
Made by Barbero 1981 S.p.A. (Owned by Campari Group)
Type: Orange Aperitivo Liqueur
Region: Canale, Piemonte, Italy
Age: None
ABV: 11% (22 proof)
Ingredients: Rhubarb, Cinchona, Gentian, Bitter Oranges, Sweet Oranges, other secret ingredients including herbs & roots.
Colouring: Yes
Appearance: 6/10
Aperol comes in a tall clear bottle sealed by a metallic blue cap. As with most bottom shelf or otherwise heavily used bottles in the bar, the colour of the glass along with the quality of the cap doesn’t matter that much since it doesn’t stay open long enough for any damage to occur. However, I treat it the same as others in order to achieve equality in each of my reviews. The colourful label is attractive, there’s a list of ingredients & on the back you can even find a recipe for the Aperol Spritz. In the glass it has a neon orange aspect with faint amber hues. There’s no doubt some colouring agent is being used, nothing I know can give that tint naturally. There’s no crest or leg when I tilt my glass, although plenty of droplets stick to the sides of it, foreshadowing a certain amount of sweetness.
Nose: 10/15
On the nose there’s a punch of citrus aromas along the lines of oranges & grapefruit. However, there’s more to it. I perceive faint herbal notes probably from the cinchona & the other secret ingredients. I can’t pinpoint it, but it resembles an amalgam of wood bark, cinnamon, wet grass & pot soil. It’s very pleasant & enticing despite the bizarre colour. It smells like a cough drop albeit in a positive way. There isn’t any real complexity to it, except for the faint herbal quality it possesses.
Mouth: 11/15
The palate first receive a surprisingly reasonable sweetness, keeping in mind that it is a liqueur. It is quickly balanced by an intense, but still pleasant bitterness. The body is full, although a bit lighter than expected which is a good thing considering its flavour profile. I can’t detect any acidity or tannins at all. The ethanol is barely noticeable which makes it a wonderful sweetener in cocktails without adding alcohol. The retro-olfactive aromas are pretty identical to those perceived on the nose with an increased woody aspect. It’s mainly oranges with herbal & bark notes. Again not much complexity, but it doesn’t taste artificial at all, even if it has subtle medicinal character provided by the herbs.
Finish: 8.5/10
The finish is incredibly long with a faint sweetness & a powerful bitterness carrying you through it for a few minutes. The orange notes outlast every other aromas except maybe the light medicinal & woody ones.
Overall: 71/100
A surprising liqueur on its own. I expected it to be cloyingly sweet & to have near artificial aromas but no. It is quite refreshing, the sugar is well balanced by the cinchona bark which has quinine, a powerful bittering agent & the flavours are enjoyable.
3-word Description:
Orange, Sweet & Bitter.
The Reference:
More information @aperol.com
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