Vecchio Magazzino Importante Jefferson Amaro Liqueur 700ml

Vecchio Magazzino Doganale was established in 1871 in Calabria, and its founding legend centers on an American ship captain named Jefferson, who survived a shipwreck off the coast between Paola and Tropea and found refuge at the old customs warehouse that gives the distillery its name. Captivated by the region, he stayed on and helped devise the amaro recipe that still carries his name in Italy. The formula was later revived by Ivano Trombino after he discovered a suitcase of his grandfather's diaries and research documenting the original recipe, leading him to relaunch production with friends in Montalto Uffugo, in the province of Cosenza. Due to US trademark conflicts with the name Jefferson, the amaro is sold domestically as Amaro Importante.

The liqueur draws on carefully sourced Calabrian botanicals, including bergamot from the southern coast, sweet and bitter oranges and rosemary from a family garden in Cosenza, oregano, eucalyptus, and lemons from the Rocca Imperiale area. These are infused in distinct groups at varying temperatures according to a closely guarded recipe, built on a base spirit derived from grain, corn, and barley. The finished amaro rests roughly nine months in preparation and marinating before a further forty days settling in bottle, and it is bottled at 30 percent alcohol by volume.

The nose offers candied citrus and aromatic herbs layered with cinchona, star anise, and clove, along with balsamic and faintly saline notes reflecting its coastal origins. The palate is elegant and long, balancing bittering herbs against citrus sweetness and a touch of vanilla softness, finishing full and satisfying.