Tasting notes
Aroma: The amaro used in place of Campari dominates the nose— lots of spice with gentian, grapefruit zest, and grapefruit pith on the nose. It’s bright and quite complex, but the overall Negroni profile is mostly missing. It smells like an amaro…
Taste: …and while I love amaro, this is meant to be a Negroni. The amaro is the star. Early you get some citrus, some grapefruit, then hints of cardoon, spearmint, sour cherry, lots of gentian with some camphor for good measure. Wormwood adds a flat, bracing bitterness. Spices like clove, cinchona bark and a hint of myrrh give this bitter a note that calls to mind Fernet.
If this reads like the notes for an amaro, that’s because it mostly is. The bitter is lovely, but so assertive that it overpowers almost any hint of gin in here.
Finish: Bracing and bitter.
Overall, Straightaway Negroni
The Accompani Crimson Snap is a lovely amaro, suitable for making a good Negroni at home. I’d suggest you double the gin ratio (2:1:1).
But the Straightaway Negroni is a Negroni for those who truly love the very bitter. Which means that while it says Negroni, it doesn’t taste quite like one. A chilled amaro is great— if that’s what you were truly looking for.