Sweetdram Scottish Amaro Liqueur
Sweetdram Scottish Amaro Liqueur is the world's first Scotch whisky amaro: a blend of single malt and single grain Scotch whiskies infused with nine botanicals, lightly sweetened with honey and bottled at a full 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750mL bottle. Made in Edinburgh, Scotland by Sweetdram, it is a natural magenta, bittersweet modern dram unlike any Italian amaro. Explore more liqueurs and Scotch whisky at Del Mesa Liquor.
- Style: Whisky amaro (bittersweet herbal liqueur)
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Producer: Sweetdram, Edinburgh
- Region: Edinburgh, Scotland
Whisky Meets Amaro
Sweetdram was founded in 2014 by Andrew MacLeod Smith and Daniel Fisher, who met while studying for their Master's degrees in brewing and distilling at Heriot-Watt University. The idea for a whisky amaro began in 2015 as a collaboration with Brooklyn's Kings County Distillery; after three years of recipe development it became a definitive new drink. The base is a blend of three Scotch whiskies disgorged and blended on site in Edinburgh: Ardmore 7 Year Old from first-fill bourbon casks for a hint of sweet, billowy smoke; North British 3 Year Old from virgin oak for toffee-like oak and spice; and Invergordon 12 Year Old from ex-sherry casks for punch and depth. Nine botanicals are infused - allspice, hibiscus, coriander, lovage, kola nut, quassia, rhubarb, fresh lemon and lingonberry - and instead of sugar or caramel color, it is sweetened with a blend of Sussex blossom honey and local honey from rooftop hives in Edinburgh. Fans of the style should also see our Amaro Montenegro Liqueur and Cynar Artichoke Liqueur.
Tasting Notes
Natural magenta in color. The nose shows natural red wine and orange marmalade; the palate brings cocktail cherries, herbs and a hint of wispy smoke, moving from sweet to sour to herbal to fruity to bitter to umami. The finish is long, bitter but balanced, with spice.
How to Enjoy
Pour it over ice as a bold alternative to a Negroni base, lengthen it into a Whisky Amaro Highball with soda and a slice of orange, split the base of a Manhattan, Old Fashioned or Sazerac with it, or swap it in for Campari in a Negroni or Boulevardier. It also makes a distinctive gift - see our Holiday Gift Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a whisky amaro?
Amaro is a bittersweet Italian-style herbal liqueur usually based on wine or neutral spirit. Sweetdram's Scottish Amaro uses a blended Scotch whisky base instead - the first of its kind.
Is it sweetened with sugar?
No sugar and no added color: it is lightly sweetened with blossom and Edinburgh rooftop honey, and the magenta color is entirely natural.
How strong is it?
At 40% ABV (80 proof) it is bottled at full strength, so a little goes a long way in cocktails.
Sweetdram Scottish Amaro Liqueur is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.