Maenad

 
 
 
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Maenad comes from our work with a vintage N Italian “elixir” spirits…many of which shared a distinctive suite of ingredients…usually genepi, arnica, peppermint, balsamite, and sometimes iva (achillea moschata) and other alpine herbs. Each yielded a concentrated botanical profile, similar in strength to absinthe, but with a very different flavor profile. This lab work gave us Maenad, distinctly anchored in 3 types of citrus peel, with a strong arnica layer adjacent to the mild bittering of the genepi, the cooling herbaceous quality of peppermint and lemon balm, with roman chamomile balancing the floral, and cardamom and mace contributing spice. This may be the halfway point between Campari and genepi. Inspired by and named for the wild and fearsome priestesses of Bacchus.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Soft citrus layered on spice, with alpine flowers.

Flavor: Warm, concentrated herbs steeped with orange and lemon at a absinthe level of intensity, pinapple, sage, cut apple, with a cooling finish of subdued peppermint and cardamom.

Proof: Bottled at 44% Alcohol / 88 proof.

 
Alan Scott