Varnelli Amaro Dell'Erborista 1L
Varnelli Amaro Dell'Erborista is a 42 proof (21% ABV), 1L amaro from Muccia, in Italy's Sibillini Mountains — a decoction of selected botanicals prepared over a wood fire and sweetened only with multiflower raw honey from the Sibillini Mountains. It is unfiltered, with no colorings or flavorings: the cloudy, opalescent appearance comes from the honey and the lack of filtration. Founded in 1868 by Girolamo Varnelli, a student of the medicinal plants of the Sibillini range, the amaro was originally made for herbalist shops before restaurants and bartenders adopted it; today the distillery is run by the fourth generation — four women. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 21% (42 proof)
- Size: 1L
- Botanicals: decoction of selected herbs, roots, barks (cinchona, gentian, rhubarb)
- Sweetener: only raw multiflower honey from the Sibillini Mountains
- Style: unfiltered, no colorings or flavorings
- Producer: Varnelli, Muccia (Marche), Italy — founded 1868
The Herbalist's Amaro
"Dell'Erborista" means "of the herbalist," and the bottle drinks like it: the importer's own notes describe a tobacco color with brick-red shades, a latent smokiness on the nose with stewed ripe fruit, sultana, gentian, rhubarb, sandalwood, and honey — and a palate that stays dry despite the warm honey notes, with powerful tannins, a drying grip, and an intense, lastingly bitter finish that provokes salivation. That dryness is the point: honey-sweetened but never sweet-tasting, it was built for digestion before it was built for cocktails. Serve it straight or iced, diluted with water or soda, heated as a grog with orange peel, cinnamon, or cloves — or stirred into a sour where the bitterness can stretch its legs. Browse more amari and liqueurs and explore the Varnelli collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Latent smokiness, stewed ripe fruit, sultana, gentian, rhubarb, sandalwood, honey (importer profile).
Palate: Dry despite warm honey notes; powerful tannins, drying, intensely salivating.
Finish: Lastingly bitter.
How to Enjoy
Straight or on ice as a digestivo; heated with orange peel and cinnamon as a winter grog; or in a sour. It also pairs, improbably, with cola.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is Varnelli Amaro Dell'Erborista?
42 proof (21% ABV) in the 1L bottle.
What does "Dell'Erborista" mean?
"Of the herbalist" — the amaro was originally made for herbalist shops in the Sibillini Mountains.
Why is it cloudy?
It is unfiltered and sweetened with raw honey — the opalescence comes from the honey and the lack of filtration, not a flaw.
Who makes Varnelli?
The Varnelli family of Muccia, Italy, founded 1868 by Girolamo Varnelli; today run by the fourth generation.
A honey-sweetened amaro that finishes bitter — order Varnelli Amaro Dell'Erborista online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.