Gotha Settemmezzo

21% ABV

Carciofi (the plural of "Carciofo") are a category of Amari that are made from Artichokes. Cynar is probably the best known example. This is perhaps the most special example of the style as it's made with a very rare Artichoke variety called Carciofo Violetto di San Luca. It only grows in one town and it's production and use are controlled by the Slow Food organization. This product is the only non-food usage permitted with that rare varietal. It is medium bitter and sweet with some orange and smoky notes. 

Importer Notes:
Gotha Spiriti Nobili is the creation of Ergin Allko, a bartender and bar proprietor who emigrated from Albania to Italy when he was 18 years old to study in the university town of Bologna. At the time of Gotha’s launch Ergin had also lived in Italy for 18 years, and his spirits are very much influenced by his connection to both, the most evident being his use of purified seawater from the Adriatic Sea (the body of water that separates Italy and Albania) in all of his products.

Settemmezzzo is a bitter artichoke liqueur made from a specific species of artichoke, Carciofo Violetto di San Luca, which only grows in the town of San Luca outside of Bologna. The delicate artichoke flavor comes through as fresh herbs, citrus and licorice and also adds a bittersweet component. This is complemented by orange from the chinotto peels and slight smokiness of the rabarbaro. Because the flavor profile is so complete it works as both an aperitivo or digestivo, solo or in cocktails. Settemmezzo (7 1/2) is named after a card game historically played in the osterias and bars of Bologna, outlawed because it involved betting. Residents of course continued to play in back rooms and in secret, cementing an infamous Bolognese tradition.