From the Vancouver Island distillery behind Empress 1908 Gin, this is a bitter bianco in the Italian aperitivo idiom — the clear, citrus-forward counterpart to the red bitters — distilled in small-batch copper pot stills from eleven botanicals, gentian root, wormwood, lemon peel and star anise among them. All-natural, gluten-free, kosher-certified, 30% abv. Clear and bright in the glass. Elegant florals and citrus zest lift off bitter herbs; the palate is richly fruited, with tangy lemon, warming spice and a subtle saline thread. Bittersweet, balanced and lingering — properly bitter without being punishing.
Serve: Bianca Spritz, Negroni Rosa, or simply with soda and orange.