A truly radical bitter, without compromise. In 2013, Marco Schiavo, fifth generation owner and master distiller of the Schiavo distillery, started experimenting with traditional Italian liqueurs in the small town of Costabissara, near Vicenza. As a follower of the slow food movement, he considered all the products available on the market too artificially sweetened and not bitter enough. When they met a like-minded bartender, Giacomo Diamante, they both started experimenting with different macerations that promised a clear herbal and bitter flavour right to the end of the tasting, a flavour that would be perfect for cocktails without the need for a lot of added sugar. A liqueur made from the infusion of herbs, roots and spices in fruit alcohol, which lasted for more than 18 days, with the bâtonnage technique and stirring every now and then. Gentian, Sichuan pepper, rhubarb, quinine bark, liquorice and orange peel are used together with other herbs. After maceration, the liqueur is imperfectly filtered at room temperature and is therefore not completely transparent. The bitter notes are present both on sniffing and when tasted neat. The aroma is savoury and herbaceous, with notes of bitter orange. The taste is balsamic, with strong spicy aromas and a bitter and long finish. The manufacturer recommends that the first sip should always be taken neat. But be careful! Gajárdo Bitter Radicale Extra is truly bitter and is for true bitters lovers. With a little tonic and ice or ginger beer, it quickly becomes a serious drink.The liqueur is perfect for Italian aperitivo cocktails. Recommended for Americano, Milano-Torino and Negroni. Perfect for making Spritz in summer. Alc. 25%. 700ml. From Veneto, Italy.