Gajárdo Bitter Radicale Extra

In 2013, Marco Schiavo, the fifth-generation owner and master distiller of Distilleria Schiavo in a small town near Vicenza called Costabissara, began experimenting with a traditional way of producing Italian liqueurs. As a follower of the Slow Food movement, all commercially available products were too artificially sweetened and, above all, not bitter enough for him.

After meeting with like-minded bartender Giacomo Diamante, the two set out to try different macerations that offer an uncompromisingly herbal and bitter taste right through the finish, while also working perfectly in cocktails without adding the usual large amounts of sugar to the product.

As a base for the Gajárdo products is used a neutral alcohol from fruits, to which in an 18-day infusion with various herbs, roots and spices with Bâtonnage process is given their unique flavor. Among others, gentian, Szechuan pepper, rhubarb, cinchona bark, licorice and orange zest are used.

After maceration, the bitters are only quite coarsely filtered at room temperature, so they have not undergone the usual chill filtration and therefore still contain suspended solids.

The bitter notes are both in the aroma and taste at first certainly overwhelming for many when drinking neat. In addition to the herbaceous components, however, a hint of bitter orange can also be perceived.

Bitter Radicale Extra uses exactly twice the amount of herbs and spices as Bitter Radicale, while the maceration time and the ratio of ingredients remain the same. This creates an even fuller flavor impression, which also appears more bitter, especially in the finish.

Drinking suggestions:

We always recommend the first sip neat.... But here we do it with a little caution! Gajárdo Bitter Radicale Extra is really bitter and not to be compared with the usual industrial products. Pure just like the Bitter Radicale (normal) only something for real bitter lovers. With a little tonic and ice or even ginger beer, however, quickly becomes a delicious but adult-tasting long drink out, which gains even more depth through the Bitter Extra.

We can also warmly recommend the classic drinks such as Americano, Milano-Torino and Negroni. If it has to go fast in the summer, a Spritz is also fantastic.