Kumquat Chili Liqueur, 'Oro y Fierro'

• Spicy kumquat liqueur produced by Brucato in San Francisco, California
• Botanicals include California Nagami kumquats, dried California naval orange peels, and dried Mexican chile de árbol and Calabrian chili peppers
• Base spirit of unaged grape brandy distilled in Sebastopol, California
• Peak-season Nagami kumquats are sliced and dried in-house; dried chile de árbol is roasted in-house
• Kumquats and orange peels are combined with brandy and cold-macerated in stainless steel for approximately two weeks
• Chilis are macerated separately in stainless steel for varying times depending on spice level
• The final infusion blend rests in stainless steel for approximately 6 weeks before it is sweetened with cane sugar and brought to proof
• Freshly cut kumquats, Orangina soda, and fresh red pepper on the nose lead to a palate of Calabrian chili fruit and pithy orange with a pleasant, lingering heat
• No added coloring
• 40% ABV

Chili and citrus are deftly balanced in this spicy variation of Brucato’s Ory y Fierro Kumquat liqueur. With a proof that makes it a suitable substitution for a classic triple sec in any cocktail, this expression intuitively adds a kick to Margaritas, Daisies, tiki classics, and more.

Tasting Notes

Driven to create a citrus liqueur that could play an essential role in classic cocktails without rehashing old territory, Sierra and James Clark were drawn to Nagami kumquats, the peppy citrus staple of California’s—especially northern San Diego’s—agricultural scene.

Brucato has subsequently created two kumquat liqueurs—one focused solely on kumquat’s sweet/tart character and one combining kumquat with a hit of chili spice. These are bottled under the new Oro y Fierro marque to distinguish them from Brucato’s flagship amari. The labels take their inspiration from vintage sardine tins—a nod to the Monteray Bay Aquarium, founded by Sierra’s parents and housed in an old sardine factory. The name is borrowed from San Francisco’s official motto, “Oro en Paz, Fierro en Guerra” (“Gold in Peace, Iron in War”), to highlight the contrasts inherent in these playful yet versatile new liqueurs.