Ischia Sapori 'Rucolino' Amaro Alla Rucola

This artisanal herbal liqueur originates from Italy, produced on the volcanic island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples (Campania). Handcrafted by Ischia Sapori—the island's premier craft distillery founded in 1990—this iconic expression holds a cult status as the definitive, original Amaro alla Rucola. Created using a centuries-old local island recipe, its defining botanical is fresh wild arugula (rucola), harvested directly from Ischia's mineral-rich volcanic soil. The arugula leaves are infused in grain spirit alongside citrus peels (Campanian orange and lemon) and a proprietary blend of island herbs, roots, and spices. Bottled at 60 proof (30.0% ABV), it presents a dark, peppery, and earthy variation on traditional southern Italian digestivi.

Spirit Description

This amaro displays a deep, dark ebony to mahogany color in the glass with thick, slow legs. On the nose, it is intensely aromatic, savory, and unique, opening with immediate wafts of freshly cracked black pepper, bitter arugula greens, and charred espresso beans, underlaid by stewed prunes, dark cocoa, and dried orange peel. On the palate, it feels thick, syrupy, and full-bodied, delivering an initial burst of sweet caramel sauce, dark chocolate, and candied citrus, before rapidly transitioning into a peppery, green, and pleasantly bitter mid-palate driven by the raw bitterness of the arugula leaf. The finish is long, warm, and satisfyingly dry, trailing off with lingering roasted herbs, herbal bitterness, espresso bean dryness, and a persistent peppery warmth.