Scarlet Fernet Amaro Review
Scarlet Fernet Amaro is a bold Japanese reinterpretation of the classic Italian bitter liqueur. Crafted by Iseya Distillery in Kanagawa, Japan, this expression uses more than 30 botanicals macerated in sugarcane spirit and balanced with natural sweeteners like Okinawan kokuto sugar. It showcases a rare fusion of herbal complexity and refined craft in a non-European amaro style.
Scarlet Fernet Amaro
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Scarlet Fernet Amaro |
| Brand | Scarlet |
| Company | Iseya Distillery |
| Category | Amaro / Bitter Liqueur |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kanagawa |
| Distillery | Iseya Distillery |
| Age | Non-vintage |
| Style | Fernet-style Amaro |
| Alcohol | 36% ABV |
| Base Spirit | Neutral sugarcane spirit |
| Botanicals | 30+ herbs & roots (palo santo, chicory, raspberry flower, aloe, cinnamon, mint, rooibos) |
| Maturation | Partially aged in ex-whisky oak casks |
| Availability | Limited / Specialty import markets |
Prices: Prices can vary significantly due to taxes, import duties, retailer markups, and currency fluctuations
| Country/Region | Price (70/75 cl) |
|---|---|
| United States | $66.99 – $75.00 USD (typical retail) |
| Australia | AUD 132 – AUD 149+ (import pricing) |
| Other Regions | Varies widely – limited import availability with no fixed retail price |
Testing notes
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Deep amber, clear and rich |
| Aroma | Herbal bitterness with mint, cinnamon spice, rooibos earth |
| Flavours | Bitterness up front, herbal depth, cola-like sweetness, gentle oak |
| Texture | Medium body, rounded and balanced |
| Finish | Lingering bitter-sweet herbs with minty warmth |
Experts’ View:
Scarlet Fernet Amaro has drawn attention in the craft bitter community for its innovative Japanese take on a traditionally Italian style. Bartenders and importers appreciate how nearly half the botanicals are farm-grown on site, giving the amaro a distinct regional character. Tasters often remark that it avoids the overwhelming bite typical of many Fernets while still delivering deep, herbal complexity.
FAQs
1. What makes Scarlet Fernet Amaro different?
Unlike many European Fernets that rely on gentian for bitterness, Scarlet uses chicory and aloe to achieve a bracing herbal punch within Japan’s regulatory environment.
2. Should it be sipped neat or in cocktails?
Most reviewers suggest trying it neat first to appreciate the nuanced botanicals, then experimenting in bitter-forward cocktails like a Fernet twist on a classic Negroni.
3. Is it widely available globally?
Availability varies. It’s sold in the U.S. and Australia through specialty importers. In many regions, it appears sporadically through boutiques and online merchants.
