【A legendary Italian recipe nearly 500 years old】
【100% nut-free】
【The world’s best-selling Italian liqueur】
ZI317 - Disaronno 500 Years Anniversary Edition Amaretto
Price：$140/bottle
【Shipped at random】
Type：Liqueur
Region：Italy
ABV：28%
Volume：700ml
Distillery
Within the global landscape of liqueurs, Disaronno Originale—hailing from the town of Saronno in Italy’s Lombardy region—stands as the undisputed benchmark for the Amaretto category. With a history spanning nearly 500 years, this amber-hued liqueur, defined by a secret, generations-old recipe and an iconic, instantly recognizable bottle, has captivated consumers in over 160 countries, establishing itself as one of the most quintessential cultural symbols of Italian liqueur.
Disaronno is produced not by a traditional winery, but by ILLVA Saronno, a historic family-owned distillery. Headquartered in Saronno—the very birthplace of the recipe—the company has remained deeply rooted in this locale for centuries. The origins of the recipe are traced back to a legend from the Renaissance: in 1525, Bernardino Luini, a protégé of Leonardo da Vinci, was commissioned to paint a fresco for the local Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli. He chose the proprietress of a local inn as his model for the Virgin Mary. Upon the completion of the work, the woman gifted the artist a bottle of her own homemade amber liqueur—a gesture said to be the origin of the Disaronno formula.
The recipe was subsequently passed down through the years, eventually being rediscovered and preserved in its entirety by the local Reina family around 1600. For centuries, the formula was treated as a family treasure, kept strictly secret and shared only among family members or given as exclusive gifts, never offered for public sale. It was not until the early 20th century that a descendant, Domenico Reina, opened a shop called "Domenico Reina Coloniali" in the heart of Saronno, where he began to commercialize the liqueur, finally introducing it to the broader market. In 1947, the company ILLVA Saronno was formally established, assuming full responsibility for the Reina family’s recipe and production methods, and becoming the sole producer of Disaronno. To this day, ILLVA Saronno remains an independently operated family business, having never been acquired by any major spirits conglomerate. Its original recipe and production facilities are still based in Saronno. Beyond the classic Disaronno, the brand has expanded its portfolio to include "Disaronno Velvet"—a cream-based almond liqueur—as well as various anniversary editions and high-fashion collaborations, continuously injecting new vitality into the classic brand.
Winemaking
Many people, upon hearing the term "almond liqueur," mistakenly assume that Disaronno is made from almonds. In reality, the liqueur contains no almonds or nuts whatsoever. Its signature, rich marzipan-like aroma is derived primarily from apricot kernel oil—the very same ingredient used to create marzipan. The distillery uses a high-quality neutral grain spirit as a base, infused with a secret blend of 17 herbs and fruits. A touch of natural caramel is added to achieve a warm, amber hue, with no artificial coloring used in the process. Bottled at a steady 28% ABV, it offers a silky, sweet, and mellow palate, unfolding with layers of marzipan, vanilla, roasted stone fruit, and a hint of caramel. The finish carries an elegant, subtle bitterness; this perfect balance between sweetness and bitterness is the true soul that sets Disaronno apart from ordinary amaretto.
In terms of production, the distillery remains committed to tradition, employing a low-temperature vacuum maceration technique. This method prevents high-heat distillation from damaging the delicate aromatic molecules of the herbs and fruits, ensuring that the nuanced flavors of the raw ingredients are preserved as much as possible. Once maceration is complete, the base liquid is precisely blended with high-quality grain spirit and natural caramel. There is no need for an extensive aging process; the essence lies entirely in the balanced proportions of the 17 ingredients. To this day, the complete list of ingredients remains a closely guarded secret, known to only a handful of people worldwide.
Beyond its flavor profile, the design of the Disaronno bottle is also a legend within the industry. In 1971, the distillery commissioned master glass artisans from Murano, Venice, to create a new, distinctive bottle. Featuring a square, embossed design with sharp, defined edges and a bold, square black cap, the bottle boasts a minimalist yet substantial aesthetic. This design has not only become the brand’s most iconic visual signature—even earning a place in an exhibition at the Louvre—but is also widely regarded as a classic example of modern spirits packaging. Thanks to its highly fashionable appearance, the brand has frequently collaborated with top-tier fashion houses such as Versace and Moschino on limited-edition releases. As a result, it has become a favorite in both the spirits and fashion worlds, offering appeal as both a drink to be enjoyed and a collectible to be treasured.
