Gotha Spiriti Nobili 'Settemmezzo' Artichoke Bitter Licore Bologna

700ml

42% abv

Settemmezzo is a bitter artichoke liqueur made from a specific species of artichoke, Carciofo Violetto di San Luca, which only grows in the town of San Luca outside of Bologna. The delicate artichoke flavor comes through as fresh herbs, citrus, and licorice and also adds a bittersweet component. This is complemented by orange from the chinotto peels and slight smokiness of the rabarbaro. Because the flavor profile is so complete it works as both an aperitivo or digestivo, solo or in cocktails.

Settemmezzo (7 1/2) is named after a card game historically played in the osterias and bars of Bologna, outlawed because it involved betting. Residents of course continued to play in back rooms and in secret, cementing an infamous Bolognese tradition.

Gotha Spiriti Nobili is a small producer of fine spirits based in Bologna. It is the creation of Ergin Allko, a bartender and bar proprietor who emigrated from Albania to Italy when he was 18 years old to study in the university town. At the time of Gotha’s launch Ergin also had also lived in Italy for 18 years, and his spirits are very much influenced by his connection to both. To start the company he partnered with his brother Donald, and friends Umberto Menna and Riccardo Francesco de Campagnoli. Their first product was Menegiks Gin, their second Drai vermouth; both are excellent, thoughtfully made artisanal spirits. 

‘Gotha’ is a German term used all over Europe which translates to ‘best in category’, and we certainly do not disagree. There has been an explosion of small spirits companies in Italy in the last few years, but few of these producers have Ergin’s touch for blending flavors and creating balance.