Aetnae
Belpasso (CT) - SICILY
Mount Etna, already a paradise for wine producers, is becoming more and more of an inspiration for the makers of gin. The herbs that grow among the lava stones have become a unique ingredient for Sicilian companies making one of the most popular distilled spirits in the world.
Giuseppe Librizzi, was born and grew up in the countryside of Catania. He is a 35-year old former industrial engineer, with an insane passion for spirits, especially gin. It was while working for the company that produces Rossa Amaro (Sicilian blood orange Amaro) that he had the idea of creating a unique gin using Mount Etna’s incredible native herbs. In 2018 Giuseppe founded Aetnae.
All the spirits he has created have been released after years of experimentation and research. He uses special techniques and unique ingredients such as the alcohol used for infusions (obtained from Italian-grown soft wheat, with very low levels of impurity), orange blossom honey and citrus, as well as local wine.
Mount Etna provides both the inspiration and ingredients to make great gin. Although as Giuseppe acknowledges, to sell a good product you also need good marketing, a good sales department and an attractive label.
Producer | AETNAE
Region | Sicily
Alcohol | 42%
Etneum is a volcanic premium gin produced in small quantities from grain alcohol, juniper distillate, natural aromas, wild Sicilian flowers, and Sicilian citrus fruits including lemon and bergamot. Precisely three distilled components: flowers (rose hip, wild violet and elderflower), citrus fruits (bergamot and ripe lemons), spices (cardamom, coriander, juniper and eucalyptus). Extremely aromatic on the nose and delicate on the palate this is a dry gin whose alcoholic notes melt perfectly with the botanics.
Producer | AETNAE
Region | Sicily
Alcohol | 15%
Bitter almonds, tangerine and orange peels infused in alcohol and blended with Sicilian wine, an hint of orange blossom honey and a mixture of herbs like: chamomile, gentian, cloves ,different types of absinthes and rhubarb.
Producer | AETNAE
Region | Sicily
Alcohol | 25%
The colour of Etna Bitter recall the lava from the Etna Volcano. A bitter made to twist your classic cocktail. Made infusing orange peel and orange blossom flowers with a mixture of herbs in a solution of water and sugar. Fire red coloured, like the Etna’s lava. Herbaceous and spicy smell, with notes of citrus and orange blossom flowers. Well balanced with long balsamic bitter aftertaste.
Producer | AETNAE
Region | Sicily
Alcohol | 16%
Velvety and persistent on the palate, has an intense aroma and a final bitter note, typical of ripe orange peel, in perfect balance with sweetness notes. Licorice, wormwood (Artemisia Pontica), vanilla, orange, chamomile and other aromatic herbs to balance and create this incredible vermouth with Sicilian soul.