Varnelli Amaro Sibilla 1L

Varnelli Amaro Sibilla is a 34% ABV (68 proof) 1L Italian amaro from Distilleria Varnelli — invented in 1868 by Girolamo Varnelli in the Sibillini Mountains of Italy's Marche region. It begins as a decoction of wood-burning gentian (Gentiana lutea) and other medicinal mountain plants, sweetened exclusively with honey from the Sibillini Mountains, then long decanted and finished on cloth before bottling. Awarded in Rome in 1902 and Turin in 1909, it remains one of Italy's most historic bitters. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 34% (68 proof) — per official varnelli.it
• Size: 1L
• Origin: Distilleria Varnelli, Muccia/Pievebovigliana, Marche, Italy (founded 1868)
• Recipe: wood-fire gentian decoction, mountain herbs and roots, Sibillini honey
• Legacy: awarded Rome 1902 and Turin 1909; still family-run in its fourth generation

The Shepherds' Remedy of the Sibillini

Amaro Sibilla was born as a remedy: Girolamo Varnelli, a student of the Sibillini Mountains' medicinal plants, created it for the shepherds of the transhumance, and its high gentian content once gave it a reputation as an antimalarial and antipyretic. The roughness of the bitter is corrected by fine aromas of chestnuts, honey, dried fruit, vanilla, and coffee — a structure bartenders love. Explore more liqueurs and amari or the Varnelli range at Del Mesa Liquor.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Strong bitter herbs and dried fruit — chestnuts, walnut husk — with coffee and honey (official notes).

Palate: Honeyed sweetness first, then an intense, bitter, tannic grip with chestnut, dried fruit, vanilla, and coffee.

Finish: Long and bitter with lingering honey and dried fruit.

How to Enjoy

The classic serve is neat after a meal, but Sibilla is a bartender's amaro: on the rocks, in a spritz, with soda, tonic, chinotto, or white vermouth and lemon peel — even as a hot drink with lemon or orange peel. It also stands in for the bitter element in an Old Fashioned variation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amaro Sibilla?
A historic Italian bitter from the Marche region, made since 1868 from a wood-fire decoction of gentian and mountain herbs sweetened with honey.

What is the alcohol content?
34% ABV per the distillery's official site.

What does "Sibilla" refer to?
The Monti Sibillini — the Sibillini Mountains of central Italy, where Girolamo Varnelli gathered his botanicals.

How do you drink amaro?
Neat or on ice as a digestif after dinner, or in cocktails — Sibilla works in spritzes, Old Fashioneds, and simple highballs.

One of Italy's great historic bitters — order Varnelli Amaro Sibilla 1L from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.