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Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur of the Alps is 35% abv. / 70 proof. It is made in Austria from Arolla Stone Pine fruit from the fresh, young, (not dried out) pine cone. The liqueur is an all natural, limited production, artisinal spirit with seasonal variations for each year. The bottles are numbered and soon online production notes will be available for each batch so you can find out all the details and particulars about the bottle you hold in your hand. My bottle is # 12-06-A04-685.The body is light with a beautiful, medium red / amber brown color. The aroma is a luscious pine with floral, fruit, and spicy notes. There are hints of sweet, mild turpentine as well. The taste is of strong, floral pine, like chewing on the delicate young spring fronds at the end of a branch. Sweet, hot and cool at the same time, floral and spice flavors peek through here and there leading to a long and complex finish. While traditionally it is sipped from an eau-de-vie glass or snifter, I found it almost overwhelming to sip it straight. On ice it is mellowed quite a bit and you can really appreciate what is going on in the glass. This liqueur might not be for everyone. It is strong and unusual tasting, completely unique, and not for the faint of heart.
