Nardini Rabarbaro

Nardini Rabarbaro is one of the most exotic and distinctive aperitivi produced in Italy — a deeply aromatic, dark brown bitter liqueur built around Chinese rhubarb root, a botanical tradition handed down through generations at Italy's oldest distillery. Founded in 1779 in Bassano del Grappa, Nardini has been producing this expression long enough to call it a story passed from generation to generation — and the character of the rhubarb rhizome is so unmistakable that no other description quite does it justice. Chinese rhubarb root is fundamentally different from the garden rhubarb found in Western cooking — more earthy, more medicinal, more complex, carrying an exotic Oriental character that gives this aperitivo its distinctive personality that sits distinctly heavier and bolder in style than competitors like Zucca. The deep tawny brown color with bronze highlights announces something serious. Difford's Guide describes the nose as vegetal toffee with smoky bacon, liquorice, and barbeque sauce — and that's exactly the kind of unexpected complexity that makes Rabarbaro so compelling. The palate is spicy and aromatic with earthy and herbal sweetness, pleasantly bitter notes from gentian and rhubarb root balanced by subtle sweetness and warm spice — liquorice, caramelised fruit, and orange peel building to a clean, refreshing finish with lingering bitterness and herbal depth. With soda and a lemon peel it is a classic Italian aperitivo — straight, a wonderful digestif — and it can also be served warm. Bottled at 19% ABV. Buy Nardini Rabarbaro online with fast shipping right to your door.