Vecchio Amaro del Capo is a Calabrian herbal amaro — a bittersweet, deeply aromatic digestif — and it is poured at Grappa in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Made by the Caffo family in Limbadi, at the southern tip of Italy, it draws on a wealth of local plants and is famously served ice-cold straight from the freezer. We list it because it carries the warmth of the Calabrian sun in every glass, a smooth and fragrant way to close a meal.
About the Producer
The Caffo family’s distilling story reaches back to the late nineteenth century, when master distiller Giuseppe Caffo began distilling on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. In 1915 he acquired a distillery in Santa Venerina, and the family later established itself in Limbadi, in the province of Vibo Valentia in Calabria, an area long known for the quality of its wines. The company remains family-run today, led by successive generations of the Caffo family, with Vecchio Amaro del Capo as its signature bottling.
Style & Production
Vecchio Amaro del Capo is made from a blend of twenty-nine plants — flowers, fruits, herbs and roots — many drawn from Calabria itself. Among the named ingredients are orange and orange blossom, chamomile, liquorice, peppermint and aniseed. Each plant has its own harvest window and is macerated or infused at the moment of harvest, the better to capture its freshest aromas. The components are then blended and rested into the finished amaro, which is bittersweet and notably smooth, built for easy after-dinner sipping.
Tasting Notes
The nose is fragrant and herbal, with orange blossom, mint and licorice over a soft sweetness. The palate is smooth and bittersweet, layering citrus, anise and warming herbs with a gentle minty coolness. The finish is clean and mildly bitter, refreshing rather than heavy — especially when served well chilled.
What to Pair It With
As a digestif, it loves the end of the meal. Pair it with our Flourless Chocolate Cake, with a scoop of Gelato/Sorbet, or alongside a Charcuterie Board. See the full dine-in menu for more.
How It’s Served at Grappa
Vecchio Amaro del Capo is poured at $10, served ice-cold and neat as an after-dinner digestif.
FAQ
Where is it from?
It is made by the Caffo family in Limbadi, in the Calabria region at the southern tip of Italy.
What does it taste like?
It is smooth and bittersweet, with orange blossom, mint, licorice and warm herbs and a gentle, refreshing finish.
How is it traditionally enjoyed?
It is most often served ice-cold straight from the freezer, neat, as an after-dinner digestif.
When you’re ready, book a table, explore the cocktail & spirits list, and browse the dine-in menu.
