This is a bitter aperitif liqueur created based on the recipe for the "Italian Bitter of Turin" dating back to the 1860s. Originally produced in Turin, Italy, under the name Torino Gran Classico, the recipe was purchased in 1925 by the small Swiss distillery E. Luginbühl, and a version has since been produced mainly for local consumption. Gran Classico was developed by returning to the original recipe; it is made from a maceration of 25 aromatic herbs and roots, including wormwood, gentian, bitter orange peel, rhubarb, and hyssop. The maceration also creates a naturally attractive golden amber color, and no additional coloring is added.
TASTING NOTES:
NOSE: On the first nose, a captivating aromatic richness unfolds. The bittersweetness of orange peel intertwines harmoniously with the complex vegetal notes of gentian root, wormwood, and rhubarb. A subtle touch of vanilla rounds out the profile, adding a gourmand dimension.
PALATE: The attack is dominated by rhubarb, which quickly evolves into an elegant bitterness driven by gentian. Mid-palate, the bitter orange peel intensifies, offering a delightful freshness. The herbal and resinous nuances of wormwood, accompanied by sweet vanilla notes, bring superb complexity and a balanced structure.
FINISH: The finish is long, deep, and masterfully layered, balancing and alternating between sweet and bitter.
Data sheet
Specific References
TASTIN NOTES
Nose: Pungent peaty smoke. Phenolic with a little coastal breeze.
Palate: Lovely sweet peatiness. Some iodine and sea salt balance with vanilla notes and some spice
Finish: Waves of smoke. Fantastic length.
Koval Wheat is a limited release American whiskey produced in small batches with a 100% organic wheat mashed potato bill. This expression pays homage to the tradition of American wheat whiskey, while differentiating itself from the rest of the Koval line due to the high alcohol content. It is aged in small new and charred casks and bottled at 55% vol. without chill filtration. The water - an essential ingredient in the distillation process - comes from Lake Michigan and is purified using natural charcoal. Koval Wheat Bio Whiskey is a unique taste experience: intense and pure, full of character.
Don Papa Rum is the spirit of Sugarlandia. A premium aged rum from the Philippines. Created on the fertile foothills of Mt. Kanlaon, where the finest sugarcane is milled to produce sweet, rich molasses. Don Papa is a tribute to Papa Isio, the real and charismatic leader from the island of Negros, Philippines. His legend was instrumental to the independence of the island during the Revolution of the 1890s. The figure of Don Papa is inspired by Papa Isio, though he is not the same person. Rather, Don Papa is the embodiment of the spirit of Sugarlandia.
Sérum Ancon 10yo is an exceptional blend of rums slowly aged for a minimum of 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels.
In the whisky that made Cu Bocan's name, light smoke intertwines with rich citrus and exotic spices. Subtly smoky, surprisingly sweet, it opens up the world of lightly peated whisky.
~ Award : Winner of the 2023 World Spirit Competition in San Francisco (Double Gold)
Casks
Bourbon
Oloroso Sherry
North American Virgin Oak
Matusalem Solera 7, Exceptionally Versatile Golden Rum, ideal for cocktails or neat.
Handcrafted on the Isle of Wight since 2014 using ten ethically sourced botanicals, Mermaid Gin offers a smooth yet complex blend of fresh organic lemon zest and peppery grains of paradise, with a hint of sea air from fragrant, wild rock samphire. A refreshing and invigorating serve for free spirits.
Mermaid Gin won a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 (SFWSC)
Sortilège Prestige is the union of the finest Canadian whisky, aged for over seven years in oak casks, and first-pour pure Quebec maple syrup. A marriage of sublime taste, superior in every way to the sum of its parts.