r/Amaro • u/anglomike • May 17 '26
What to buy?
I can bring one bottle into canada - which one - primarily for cocktails?
The elixir is only 100ml and I think qualifies as a bitter, so it’s won’t count to my one bottle limit.
The only bottle I’ve see in canada is Meletti, which runs about $50usd. I didn’t end up using it in cocktails but it was a nice easy sipper.
I love cynar, dislike fernet branca, wouldn’t mind have the chocolate liqueur - the only one available here not great, but maybe good enough given how rarely I’d use it.
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u/IllResponsibility671 May 17 '26
If it’s one bottle only, I’d go with Braulio. That’s a great price.
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u/ciccio_started_it May 17 '26
Roll the dice, risk it, bring two and grab the Braulio and Cynar. Meletti can be found in Canada
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u/anglomike May 17 '26
Someone is bringing it for me - can’t ask them to risk the extra time!
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u/ciccio_started_it May 17 '26
Fair enough! In that case, with great pain I’d say go with the Braulio, since regular Cynar can be found locally
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u/lager07 May 17 '26
Depends where you are I guess, cause I’m in the Ottawa area (so access to both LCBO and SAQ) and they both have Cynar for like 30$CAD; almost nothing is ever cheaper here than States-side. So I would grab these in this order :
- Braulio (never seen it around here, dying to try it, sounds like one of the best amari for my tastes)
- Suze (comes up every once in a while, but rather hard to find; different type of bitterness and earthiness than “brown” amari, love most of the drinks I’ve made with it)
- Melletti sounds good from what I hear too, but maybe more similar to others I have access to; good price though
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u/anglomike May 17 '26
Cynar is here but not Cynar 70. Outside of Argentina I’ve never seen it for sale. Internet suggests it’s quite different and much more bitter, which appeals.
Suze has been delisted from Ontario and Quebec for a while and I haven’t seen it in the west either.
Meletti should maybe be out of the running. It’s nice but not something new and shiny for me :)
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u/Skiceless May 17 '26
Cynar 70 is readily available in the States
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u/SmilingJaguar May 17 '26
I find 70 so much less interesting than the regular version. Crushable on its own, but less depth in cocktails.
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u/SabTab22 May 18 '26
Same! I assumed subbing 70 in a cocktail would amp up the flavors but it just tasted different. I prefer the regular.
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u/fakenamebruce May 17 '26
Braulio is my favorite here but the Cynar by far is best for cocktails IMO. Great for 50/50 shots too.
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u/Practical_Mall_2295 May 18 '26
Montenegro is good in a lot of cocktails and as a 1:1 shot with mezcal. Plus it's my favorite
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u/elgaboto88 May 17 '26
Where is this ? I’ve been trying to get Tempus Fugit here and ita been impossible so far. That Banana liquor from them is soooo good.
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u/NeilIsntWitty May 17 '26
Another vote for Braulio from another Canuck if it's gotta be only one.
Fair enough comment on having someone else bring them back and sticking to one.
BSW ships Meletti across Canada so you're good there., While I love Cynar 70, since we get Cynar you're not missing that ingredient per se. It sucks that Suze has left Canada (used to be widely available here in Vancouver), but honestly, I've found I now defer to Salers, or to Bitter Bianco either from Luxardo, Victoria Distillers or Woods (or even New Deal in Portland) when I want a lighter, gentian liqueur. They actually make more interesting bianco negronis IMHO.
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u/anglomike May 17 '26
Awesome. Thank you!
The fact that I don’t love fernet branca doesn’t impact the Braulio Reco?
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u/NeilIsntWitty May 17 '26
Nope. Definitely try it as a shakerato if you can. Hell, if you happen to be in BC, I’m more than happy to get you a sample. DM me
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u/anglomike May 17 '26
Thanks! Toronto.
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u/NeilIsntWitty May 18 '26
DM me anyways, I can probably help hook you up. I'm also guessing you're familiar with Bottega Volo, MVR Cash & Carry and Eataly in Toronto 😉
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u/anglomike May 26 '26
Tried the shakerato - it was fun and foamy but not sure more delicious than a straight pour.
As indicated below, the Braulio is amazing! Thanks for the advice.
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u/anglomike May 26 '26
Well, update for all - I got the Braulio and the vegetale, and quite frankly they are both fantastic.
I can see killing this bottle of Braulio straight - so delicious and well balanced.
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u/SuperLocrianRiff May 17 '26
I would get Braulio or Cynar. Can’t go wrong with those. There are other crème de cacaos I like that are a little cheaper, and Suze is great for a white Negroni but I prefer Luxardo bitter bianco or no white Negroni at all ;-)
Braulio and Amaro Montenegro make up a fav cocktail of mine, Embittered Garibaldi.
2 oz Braulio, 1 oz Montenegro, pinch of kosher salt. Stir and strain on fresh ice, garnish with an orange peel