Aguardente Antioqueno

Aguardente Antioqueno is listed here as a liqueur from Esplanda. The name points to the Antioquia region of Colombia, where aguardiente is the everyday national spirit. The listing doesn't give an ABV, a sweetness level or a flavor description, so what follows describes the style in general and not this bottle's measured profile. Aguardiente in the Antioquia tradition is usually anise-forward. Expect a clear liquid with a licorice and star-anise aroma, a clean, lightly sweet palate, and a dry, slightly herbal finish. The sweetness is typically modest, closer to a flavored spirit than to a thick cordial. It should taste lighter and crisper than sambuca and less sugary than most cream or fruit liqueurs. Check the label for the exact strength before you plan a mixed drink. The traditional way to drink it is neat and cold. Chill the bottle well, or keep it in the freezer if the strength allows, and pour small measures into shot glasses or tiny tumblers. In Colombia it is usually passed around in rounds with friends, often alongside fried and salty food like empanadas, chicharrón, arepas with cheese, or grilled meats. The anise cuts through the fat, and the sweetness is a counterpoint to salt. It also works as a mixer. Over ice with soda water and a wedge of lime, it makes a long, light highball. Topped with tonic, it leans bitter and herbal. A small measure in a lime-based sour, or in place of the anise element in a simple daiquiri-style drink, adds a dry licorice note without overpowering the citrus. Use a light hand: anise flavors dominate quickly in mixed drinks.