Amaretto di Saronno - how can liquid marzipan be bad?
Written: Mar 09 '05 (Updated Mar 10 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sweet, delicious with no alcohol taste
Cons: Too sweet for a second glass and the alcohol can sneak up on you
The Bottom Line: -
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| carnut2k4's Full Review: Disaronno Amaretto Originale Liqueur |
I have a revolving liquor cabinet. I notice that I go through phases of preference where one day’s favorite gets shuffled to the back for long periods of time to sit and collect dust while I enjoy some other favorite du jour. I think we all do that to some extent. I also have an all-time favorites shelf though. This is the shelf where I keep all the ‘old faithfuls’. This is not part of the revolving stock at casa de carnut and those select few who’ve made the cut are virtually assured a permanent presence on this much honored shelf. Of these guaranteed crowd pleasers, today I will be reviewing Amaretto di Saronno Originale Liqueuer.
Obligatory corporate stuff
This wonderful liqueur is bottled in Saronno, Italy and imported by Bacardi USA. The website mumbo jumbo speaks of “…the highest quality natural ingredients like absolute liquor, burnt sugar and the pure essence of seventeen selected herbs and fruits soaked in apricot kernel oil…” This is a recipe surviving since 1525. For more of the corporate spin please visit their website. Better yet, run out and get a bottle and see for yourself how delicious those seventeen selected herbs and fruits are.
The bottle
A heavy, squared off glass bottle with two inch by two inch black plastic screw top holds this libation. The glass is clear and dent textured all over. The regal gold and red label boasts that this is “the world’s favorite Italian liqueur.” It’d be hard to argue with that. Also noted is the product’s 28% ABV rating.
The pour
Tonight I’m using the short square glass that comes in the Amaretto di Saronno gift box. That box actually comes with two of those glasses and a 750ml bottle of the liqueur. The Amaretto pours an inviting golden molasses color. The burnt sugar from the ingredients list is making me thing it could pass for a dark rum as well. The bottle does advise that caramel coloring has been added to the product. Being a liqueur means you can expect a high viscous quality and indeed the Amaretto will leave generous legs streaking down the side of the glass.
The nose
Of course the prevalent aroma is almond. But it’s more than just plain almonds in a can. It’s closer to the sticky sweet almond smell that is marzipan. Under that are distinct candied fruit notes but most notable is what you don’t smell. Alcohol. There is nothing here telling you that this is a fifty six proof drink. That is both good and bad at the same time.
The taste
The nose deceives a little bit. The taste is marzipan but without the cloying factor. Those who have eaten marzipan will understand what I mean here. It’s also a little thinner than you might expect which is actually a pleasant surprise. The aftertaste is pure sugar with a slight twinge of spice trying to break through the sweetness. If you drink it straight you will get the slightest, tiniest teeniest little hint of alcohol in the very last notes but those who are accustomed to drinking stronger drinks will probably miss that altogether.
The verdict
I just love this stuff. Drinking it straight is fine but I usually prefer to drop an ice cube into that square glass and then pour about a shot and a half over it. Drinking it this way thins it out even more. I personally don’t prefer the thickness of most liqueurs – if that describes you too, an ice cube works great. Drinking it with ice also serves to completely eliminate any trace of alcohol burn that was present in its purest state. The aftertaste is also muted quite a bit. It’s still a sugar aftertaste but a much more subdued and pleasant (IMO) one.
For me personally, the sweetness limits my intake to one or two glasses. I have a low tolerance for overly sweet treats. For those who have no problem consuming very sweet things I offer this warning. Watch yourself with this one. 28% ABV isn’t terribly high, but you literally can not smell or taste any alcohol in this drink and over consumption is a real possibility if you don’t pay attention!
I give Amaretto di Saronno Originale Liqueur my highest rating and recommendation. This is an absolute must have in your liquor cabinet.
www.disaronno.com
Recommended:
Yes
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carnut2k4
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