Full Review

Buy It Now

Amérisse
Bitter Apéritif Liqueur

Category: Bitter Liqueur

Date Tasted: 8/18/2026

Country: France

Alcohol: 22%

Buy It Now

94 Points

Gold Medal

Exceptional

$30

Amérisse
Bitter Apéritif Liqueur

Category: Bitter Liqueur

Date Tasted: 8/18/2026

Country: France

Alcohol: 22%

Dark-Brown color. Aromas and flavors of spiced black walnut, rhubarb, incense, and bitter orange with a moderately sweet medium body and a seamless, elegant, long finish with notes of baking spice, tobacco, and eucalyptus. This bold, bittersweet liqueur deftly balances a dark, chewy forest berry base with layers of spice and botanicals — a go to for a Black Manhattan.

Tasting Info

	Style:	Rich & Full
	Aroma:	spiced black walnut, rhubarb, incense, and bitter orange
	Flavor:	Same as aromas with notes of baking spice, tobacco, and eucalyptus
	Smoothness:	Smooth
	Enjoy:	in cocktails, neat, on the rocks and with cigars
	Cocktails:	Manhattan, Old Fashioned
	Bottom Line:	This bold, bittersweet liqueur deftly balances a dark, chewy forest berry base with layers of spice and botanicals — a go to for a Black Manhattan.

The Producer

Distillerie Merlet & Fils

40, Rue de Chevessac

St. Sauvant, 17610

France

33 -546 91 50 36

www.merlet.fr

Their Portfolio

94 •	Amérisse Bitter Apéritif Liqueur 22% (France) $30.00.
93 •	Coperies Les Ocres Whisky 46% (France) $65.00.
93 •	Coperies French Single Malt Whisky 40% (France) $60.00.
92 •	Frifrelet de Merlet Elderflower Liqueur 18% (France) $28.00.
94 •	Merlet Crème De Fraise Liqueur 18% (France) $28.00.
96 •	Merlet Crème De Poire Liqueur 18% (France) $28.00.
91 •	Merlet Sœurs Cerises Liqueur 24% (France) $31.00.
92 •	Merlet VSOP Cognac 40% (France) $51.00.
93 •	Merlet Crème De Pêche de Vigne Liqueur 18% (France) $28.00.
94 •	Merlet Crème De Pamplemousse Liqueur 18% (France) $28.00.
91 •	Merlet Brothers Blend VSOP Cognac 40% (France) $65.00.
94 •	Merlet Crème De Cassis de Saintonge Liqueur 20% (France) $28.00.
93 •	Merlet Crème De Melon Charentais Liqueur 18% (France) $18.00.
87 •	Merlet Trois Citrus Liqueur 40% (France) $30.00.
92 •	Merlet Lune D’Abricot Fruit Liqueur 25% (France) $30.00.
89 •	Merlet VS Cognac 40% (France) $50.00.
92 •	Merlet VSOP Cognac 40% (France) $51.00.

Bitter Liqueur

Serve in a Copita

About

Bitter Liqueur

Bitter liqueurs are quite famous, especially those from Italy, such as amaro, and France. These liqueurs are made in various regions throughout these countries and are made from secret recipes of herbs and spices - some local, many imported from other territories. The herbs and spices include things such as orange peel, rhubarb, pomegranate and tree bark. Quite often these are mixed with fruit juices for pre-dinner cocktails, while most examples of amaro are enjoyed straight, often as a digestif. Alcohol levels are usually around 20% to 25%.