Staff Pick

Emilio Borsi China Calisija Elixir

Name: Emilio Borsi China Calisija Elixir
Brand: Borsi
SKU: 45336
Price: 59.96 USD
Availability: InStock

Item # 45336 1 L

A family owned traditional artisan amaro tucked away in this magical part of Tuscany. Produced since the 19th century completely by hand with meticulous attention to the balance of botanicals and purity of flavors, it is the simplicity of the approach at Borsi that makes this a masterpiece. The specific bitter cinchona bark the family has sourced for generations is slowly processed by hand in a traditional mortar and pestle so the temperatures remain cool and controlled and the integrity of the ingredient remains paramount. The additions of local perfectly ripe Tuscan oranges are added to the bark and alcohol base and the mixture is aged in old oak barrels for a minimum of six months prior to bottling as a single un-blended batch. To preserve the maximum flavor, this is bottled unfiltered and will become cloudy. An amazing amaro style digestif it also works incredibly well as an aperitif with ice and soda water.

$59.96/ Single Bottle

$359.76/ Case of 6

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ABV

33.00%

Country

Italy

Region

Tuscany

Producer

Borsi

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Staff Pick Notes

Sometimes the wonder of amaro is the alchemy: complexity and flavor that arises from a dozen ingredients, but is somehow something new. Sometimes, though, that wonder comes from purity, and the incredible magnification of familiar flavors. The Borsi family first made this bitter in 1886 and most of it, from the Calisaja cinchona bark from Ecuador to the ancient mortar and pestle they use to grind the bark so slowly it never changes temperature, has stayed the same. Then there's the addition of fresh Tuscan oranges to an infusion of cinchona in neutral spirit and 6 months of barrel age. And you can taste the dirt and the underbrush the trees grew in, the bitter bark and the green leaves, the peel of the orange, the flesh, and the pith. Shake it well before serving cold--it's unfiltered and that cloudiness is where the flavor is.

- JON

Glossary

Tuscany

When you think of Tuscan wine, think of Sangiovese, the grape that is common to most great Tuscan reds (Vernaccia is the only white wine made here). Brunello di Montalcino, one of the most complex expressions of Sangiovese, has the best aging potential. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano shows the softer side of the grape, containing up to 20% of other varieties. Young Chianti often smells of fresh fruit and herbs, while Chianti Classico Riserva can be dark and brooding. The term “Super Tuscans”...