Asterley Bros launches Dispense Amaro

Asterley Bros is launching Dispense Amaro as the trend for distinctive drinks looks set to continue in 2017.

Created in South London, founders Rob and Jim Asterly, used their Sicilian family's recipe for Amaro and their own experience in hospitality, to bring Amaro to a new generation of drinkers.

After studying recipes from the 17th century’s London Dispensatory, a catalogue of the capital’s history of tonics and liqueurs, the brothers came up with Dispense, specifically created to suit contemporary taste-buds. A modern British Amaro, where Sicily meets London.

Amaro means bitter in Italian, and while traditional products are usually consumed as a digestif, they say their Dispense Amaro is versatile enough to make a complex, yet refreshing aperitif too.

Made from a blend of 24 botanicals and Rob and Jim’s signature vermouth (produced from Pinot Noir grapes supplied by Gusbourne Estates in Kent) the Amaro takes over three months to make using traditional techniques, before being bottled and labelled by hand.

To help them develop their uniquely British Amaro, Rob and Jim used a  Beta Testing method, comprising 500 unique tasters who helped them to achieve the blend of flavours by tasting each blend and passing on critical feedback.

Those keen on joining the Beta Testing ranks can sign up at www.asterleybros.com, though spaces are limited.

Dispense Amaro is available in 500ml bottles at 26% ABV with a RRP of £29.95. Available from Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange. Wholesale delivery is also available through Speciality Drinks.

17 November 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant