Distilleria dell’Alpe Liquore Kapriol (700ml)

Wine & Spirits Magazine BEST LIQUEUR of 2023

In 1948, Fernuccio di Bernard established Distilleria dell’Alpe in the Cansiglio forest of the Carnic Alps, and patented Kapriol, a Distillato del Bosco or “distillate of the forest,” whose history dates to the Middle Ages as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. In 2002, the Maschio family, grappa producers from nearby Conegliano, bought the distillery and revived Kapriol. This may have been the most surprising spirit in our tastings this year. Most of our panelists had never heard of it, and it quickly became a new favorite. Kapriol tastes like the lovechild of gin and crème de menthe. This is a gin-lover’s liqueur, strongly featuring juniper berries; the body is more viscous, however, and slightly sweet, with pine needle and peppermint adding to its juniper flavors. It’s something you can sip after dinner, a hipper, crisper version of schnapps or sambuca. It would also make a great ice-cream topper.