Bordiga Chiot Montamaro Amaro 700ml
DescriptionVenture beyond conventional Italian amari with Bordiga's Chiot Montamaro, a singular expression that captures the rugged soul of Piedmont's highest peaks. Named after the remote Chiot valley where many of its botanicals grow wild, this amaro represents a departure from sweeter, more accessible styles, offering instead an uncompromising tribute to alpine bitter traditions. It's a bottle that challenges and rewards in equal measure.
The distinction of Chiot Montamaro lies in its fearless embrace of bitterness as a virtue rather than a flaw to be masked. While mainstream amari often balance their bitter notes with heavy doses of sugar, Bordiga allows the natural intensity of wild-harvested gentian, wormwood, and achillea to shine through. The recipe incorporates botanicals found only in specific microclimates above 2,000 meters, including rare varieties of juniper and pine that lend resinous, almost balsamic notes. This commitment to terroir creates an amaro that couldn't be replicated anywhere else on earth.
The tasting experience is boldly assertive from the first sip. Intense herbal bitterness strikes immediately, followed by unexpected complexity as flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and dried orange peel emerge. Mid-palate reveals forest floor earthiness, wild mint, and a hint of smoke reminiscent of mountain bonfires. The finish is extraordinarily long, with waves of alpine herbs and a cleansing bitterness that prepares the palate for the next sip. While excellent as a digestif, adventurous bartenders prize Chiot Montamaro for its ability to add backbone and complexity to stirred cocktails. This is an amaro for those who appreciate intensity and authenticity over easy accessibility.
