Overview: In a bid to create an amaro that caters specifically to Southern palates, Seth Watson, founder of Distillery of Modern Art in Atlanta, has crafted Amaro Peach. This unique spirit combines locally sourced peaches with complex aromatics like gentian root and wormwood, creating a balance between bitter and sweet flavors.
The Full Story
Watson’s interest in an Atlanta-focused amaro was sparked by his European travels, where he observed the diversity of digestifs available. He realized that while amari are well-established in Europe, they often lack a balanced flavor profile for American tastes. Determined to create something that would appeal to Georgians and Southerners alike, Watson turned his attention to locally sourced peaches.
The decision to feature peaches was not only a nod to the state’s official fruit but also an attempt to tap into the nostalgia associated with peach-based products in Southern cuisine. To ensure consistency throughout the year, Watson’s team sources peaches from Georgia and neighboring states like South Carolina during peak harvest seasons. Any excess fruit is then pureed, frozen, and used in production when needed.
Production & Profile
Amaro Peach includes an array of complex aromatics such as gentian root, wormwood, cinchona bark, angelica root, dried sweet and bitter orange peels, cardamom, sasparilla for the bite, cassillabark horse root vanilla rosemary lemon cinnamon fennel. Muscovado sugar is used to heighten the natural sweetness of the peaches.
The muscovado’s dark color gives Amaro Peach a distinct appearance on bar shelves and contributes its nutty flavor profile. Watson recommends sipping this amaro slightly chilled, either straight up or as part of a cocktail.
Brand & Industry History
Distillery of Modern Art has been pioneering innovative spirits in Atlanta since its inception. Amaro Peach is one of the distillery’s signature offerings and represents their commitment to locally sourced ingredients and unique flavor profiles.
The amari category, while well-established in Europe, remains relatively unexplored in the United States. The introduction of Amaro Peach by Distillery of Modern Art contributes to a growing interest in exploring this spirit type among American consumers.
What This Means
The release of Amaro Peach has significant implications for both local and national markets. Its unique flavor profile, combining the natural sweetness of peaches with complex aromatics, offers an attractive alternative to traditional amari offerings in the United States.
This product also highlights the growing trend towards locally sourced ingredients in craft spirits production and underscores Distillery of Modern Art’s commitment to this approach.
Consumer Takeaway
Amaro Peach is a must-try for anyone interested in exploring new flavors within the amari category. Its balanced blend of bitter and sweet notes, coupled with its unique appearance due to muscovado sugar, makes it an attractive addition to any cocktail repertoire.
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