"Not to sound too wistful, but these days, it's easy to forget how modest the amaro options in the U.S. once were. Now, most backbars are lined with a wide and rich spectrum of amaro and European liqueurs, but that was not the case when, as a burgeoning drinks writer in the mid-2000s, I first spiraled down the bitter rabbit hole."
"When visiting wine producers in Italy, he always makes room for a few special bottles, whether it's a rare wine, an amaro that you can't find stateside or a bottle of vintage Chartreuse. O'Brien views it as a way to surprise and delight guests. "The suitcase haul has always been one of my favorite tricks because it feels the most personal," he says. Offering guests pours from hard-to-source bottles "lets them feel like they tagged along on your trip.""
U.S. amaro selections were once modest but have grown into a wide, rich spectrum on backbars. Suitcase bottles from Italy include limited-run riservas, special-edition releases, distillery gift-shop exclusives, dusty vintage finds, and yet-to-be-imported brands. Bringing suitcase bottles home provides a transportive, personal thrill and can surprise and delight guests by sharing a taste of travel. Restaurateurs and collectors deliberately reserve space for rare bottles to create that effect. Some once-elusive expressions have become available stateside, raising questions about whether increased availability diminishes the specialness of suitcase-acquired bottles.
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