RIVO: gin and the plants around Lake Como
An artisan gin at 43% ABV: dry, supple and balsamic.
Common juniper in Köhler’s 1887 atlas: branches, needles and fleshy cones often called berries. A botanical view of gin’s aromatic foundation. Public domain.
Franz Eugen Köhler · Image source · Public domain
A landscape expressed through plants
RIVO takes inspiration from the mountains, wind and water around Lake Como. The brand places the selection and gathering of botanicals in that landscape at the heart of its story. This provides a useful tasting clue: herbs, flowers and citrus all have a role alongside the familiar foundation of a gin.
Small batches and a dry profile
It is distilled in small batches using Italian grain alcohol. The producer states that it contains no added sugars, additives or artificial ingredients. This helps explain its dry profile. Dryness and texture are separate sensations, however: a gin can be dry while still feeling supple and well integrated on the palate.
Thyme and lemon balm as guides
The nose is fresh and balsamic, with floral, citrus and Mediterranean notes. The producer describes a complex but soft palate, rich in spicy and herbal nuances, followed by botanical fragrances on the finish. Thyme and lemon balm underline the bouquet. Its 43% ABV supports this layered expression without changing its central herbal character.
Finding it on our menu
Our measure is 4 cl. Search for dry, thyme, lemon balm, herbal, floral or balsamic. These terms help distinguish RIVO from the brighter mandarin-and-citron direction of Giardini di Palermo.
Sources and further reading
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Giardini di Palermo: Sicilian gardens in a gin →
