Poli Segretario di Stato Pure Malt Italian Whisky

Poli Segretario di Stato Pure Malt Italian Whisky is a highly innovative, premium Italian craft whisky created by the historic Poli Distillerie in Veneto. Named "Segretario di Stato" (Secretary of State) in honor of Pietro Parolin, a prominent citizen of Schiavon who was appointed Secretary of State of the Holy See, this expression marks an audacious foray into whisky-making by one of Italy’s most legendary grappa families. Crafted from a combination of 60% unpeated and 40% pleasantly peated malted barley, the spirit is meticulously distilled in small batches using the distillery's custom-modified, artisanal copper bain-marie pot stills. It is aged for five years in European oak casks before undergoing a long finishing period in first-fill ex-Amarone wine barrels, resulting in an international spirit with an elegantly complex, Venetian soul.

Food Pairing: The combination of rich dried fruits from the Amarone finish and light peat smoke makes this whisky a magnificent companion to slow-braised meats like wild boar ragù, duck breast with a cherry reduction, or grilled venison. It also pairs spectacularly well with aged Italian cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Riserva, or Gorgonzola, as well as rich desserts such as dark chocolate soufflé, panettone with raisins, or artisanal fig tarts.

TASTING NOTES - A deep, warm golden-amber with polished copper highlights. The texture is medium-to-full-bodied, pleasantly oily, and remarkably smooth with a velvety, mouth-coating softness.

NOSE - Deeply aromatic, solemn, and highly complex, opening with a rich bowl of toasted hazelnuts, plump raisins, and dark plums, beautifully integrated with notes of milk chocolate, warm vanilla, and a gentle wisp of smoked spices and herbal tea.

PALATE - Warm, soft, and beautifully balanced. An initial sweetness of caramelized brown sugar, honey, and stewed dark fruits from the Amarone cask is seamlessly balanced mid-palate by a subtle wave of earthy peat smoke, toasted wood tannins, and baking spices like cinnamon and clove.

FINISH - Long, elegant, and comforting. The rich dark fruit and chocolate notes slowly give way to a lingering, pleasant dryness marked by toasted nuts, a touch of tobacco leaf, and a soft, smoky herbal warmth.

SERVE - Best enjoyed strictly neat at room temperature (around 16-18°C) in a traditional tulip-shaped Glencairn or spirits glass to fully appreciate its intricate, multi-layered aromatics and wine-cask finish. Avoid ice, though one or two drops of pure water can be added to open up the lighter orchard fruit notes.