How’s Your Drink: Sommelier Jason Hisaw Uncovers Real Amaretto in Dallas

Ask a sommelier what they like to drink, and chances are the answer will be a classic wine and a favorite spirit.

Once in a while, though,  I taste a spirit or cordial that completely, unexpectedly, blows me away by its complexity and character. This happened yesterday with a liqueur called Amaretto di Saschira, which is made by the Luxardo family in Italy. This Amaretto was amazing: rich almond flavor, floral aromas, a slight bite of citrus.  It’s made from pure almond paste then aged for 8 months before it’s bottled. This tastes like no other Amaretto . The difference is the quality of the almonds they use, all of which come from Avola in Sicily. Other Amaretto brands use apricot pits or essences as the base for their flavor, which they pretend tastes like almonds.

This is a cordial that you’ll want to sip by itself, mix it in your favorite amaretto sour recipe, or, if your really want to make a statement, pour it over some vanilla ice cream and some fresh strawberries.

Trust me, you’ll want more. You can find it at any Centennial Liquor location for $27.99.  Watch how fast it disappears!

Jason Hisaw is certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers as an Advanced Level Sommelier. He is a member of the wine team at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Dallas and writes for EscapeHatchDallas.com.