That’s Amari: Campari America Adds Three Italian Brands

Tapping into the growing popularity of bitter Italian spirits in the U.S., San Francisco-based Campari America has added Averna, Braulio and Cinzano 1757 to its portfolio. Gruppo Campari, an affiliate of parent company Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., had purchased the herb-based bitter liqueurs Averna and Braulio this past summer, and added Cinzano 1757, a premium, small-batch vermouth as a new product.

The three amari join Campari America’s other Italian brands—Campari, Aperol, Cynar and Frangelico—and give the company the most comprehensive portfolio of Italian spirit brands in the U.S. Averna and Cinzano 1757 are available nationally; Braulio will initially be available in New York, California and Illinois.

 

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From the press release:

 

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SAN FRANCISCO (January 7, 2015) – Campari America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), the world’s sixth largest spirits company, officially announced today the addition of Averna®, Braulio® and Cinzano® 1757 to its lineup, solidifying the company’s position as the most comprehensive portfolio of Italian spirit brands in the United States. In the summer of 2014, Gruppo Campari purchased Averna and Braulio, while at the same time Cinzano 1757 was added as a new product to the iconic Cinzano family.

“With Averna, Braulio, and Cinzano 1757 joining the US portfolio, Campari America continues to enrich its premium offerings in this core market and secure its position as the leading purveyor of premium Italian liqueur and bitter specialties ,” said Umberto Luchini, Head of Marketing, Campari America. “Our other Italian brands—Campari, Aperol, Cynar and Frangelico—have rapidly gained popularity in this market, driven by high bartender and consumer interest. We expect Averna, Braulio, and Cinzano 1757 to follow in those footsteps as American palates continue to crave bitter flavors. As a whole, Campari America’s Italian portfolio will help convey to the American audience the joys of the Italian way of life – where time spent together is time well spent.”

Averna is one of Italy’s most celebrated spirits. Originated from an herbal elixir prepared by friars of the Convent of St. Spirito’s Abbey and donated to Salvatore Averna as sign of gratitude for being a benefactor, its first production started in Calatanisetta, Sicily, in 1868.  Averna has a gentle herbal bitterness and sweet characteristics. The recipe, passed down from one generation to another, has remained unchanged since its inception. Various herbs, roots and citrus rinds soaked in a base liquor give the spirit its bitter flavors. The production process lasts three months.

The resultant espresso-colored liquid offers intense aromas of exotic spice, wood, maple syrup, cinnamon and dried orange peel. The mouth feel is velvety, creamy and dense. Averna, traditionally enjoyed as a digestivo, can be sipped neat or on the rocks with a slice of lemon. It can also be mixed into cocktails to enhance any drink with complex, sophisticated flavors.

Averna is 58 proof (29% ABV) and is available in 750ml and 1L bottles. The 750 ml bottle retails for $29.99 MSRP. Averna is available nationally.

Braulio, another legendary herb-based bitter liqueur, originated in Bormio, Valtellina in 1875. It was developed by Francesco Peloni, an Italian chemist with a deep knowledge of medicinal herbs. The bitter liqueur is based on an ancient recipe using, among other herbs, aromatic alpine herbs popular in Northern Italy. These herbs, along with plants and roots, are infused into a liquid that undergoes a two-year aging process in oak barrels – a unique process in the amaro category.

Braulio is 42 proof (21% ABV) and is available in 750ml and 1L bottles. The 750 ml bottle retails for $34.99 MSRP. Braulio will be initially available in New York, California and Illinois.

Cinzano 1757 is a premium small batch vermouth that pays homage to Cinzano’s founding fathers, Giovanni Giacomo Cinzano and Carlo Stefano Cinzano, who started their business in Turin in 1757. Inspired by more than 250 years of vermouth experience, Cinzano 1757 begins with the traditional secret Cinzano Rosso recipe and is enriched with an infusion of specially-selected herbs. Given the small batch nature of the artisanal vermouth, each bottle is individually numbered.

The intensely rich liquid is slightly spicy with notes of dried fruit, wood, tobacco and licorice. Round and smooth to the palate, the finish offers pleasant bitter notes typical of Artemisia (a bushy, perennial shrub), with a long-lasting and pleasant aftertaste. Serve Cinzano 1757 neat, on the rocks, or enrich and enhance the most famous classic vermouth rosso-based cocktails such as the Negroni and the Americano.

Cinzano 1757, which is 32 proof (16% ABV), is available in a 1L bottle only and retails for $29.99 MSRP. Cinzano 1757 is available nationally.

Please enjoy Averna, Braulio and Cinzano 1757 responsibly.

Samples and photography available upon request.

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For additional information, contact:

Dave Karraker                                                  Ben Palos
Campari America                                                            Benson Marketing Group
Dave.Karraker@campari.com                                 palos@bensonmarketing.com 
415-315-8000                                                  707-254-1167

About Campari America

Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM). At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry. The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka. The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world’s finest whiskies since the 1800’s. Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Aperol®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek® Canadian Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Averna®, Braulio®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaça and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of BULLDOG® Gin.

 

Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica andwww.camparigroup.com.

 

Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

 

About Gruppo Campari

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates (‘Gruppo Campari’), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. The Group’s portfolio, with over 50 brands, spans spirits, the core business, wines and soft drinks. Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, Cinzano, SKYY andWild Turkey. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 16 plants and 3 wineries worldwide and has its own distribution network in 19 countries. The Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com

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