A couple of weeks ago I asked for your questions about liqueurs (and other cocktail mixers) in Baffling Liqueurs: You Ask, I Answer. Reader bwkcaj_ca inquired about the availability of Amer Picon. I have an answer, but I'm afraid he's not going to like it, though I do have good news for the majority.
First of all, let's run down Amer Picon... It is a French orange bitter that you will find referenced in many bartending guides from the old days.? It was the original bitter ('amer' - French, 'amaro' - Italian) in drinks like the Liberal Cocktail, the Brooklyn, and the Picon Punch among many others. Those who wish to revive some of these classics have found it to be an elusive ingredient outside of Europe and a handful of other locations throughout the world. Those of us in North America have been virtually dry of the bitter for years. To make matters worse, the original formula has been gone since the 70's and the revised Amer Picon now "available" does not live up to its predecessor.
What to do? Well, many pick up a supply in their travels or have friends or family do so. Some, like Jamie Boudreau have resorted to replicating it to the best of their ability. More details on that are in this profile of Amer Picon. Despite the news below, it is fun to make your own Amer Boudreau.
The good news that I mentioned is that I have found one reliable source in the UK that will ship to most places in the world. A quick correspondence with Billy Abbott at The Whisky Exchange has set my mind at ease that the current production of Amer Picon can be shipped into the U.S. with the exception of Nevada, but he says they are working on that. Bad news for our Canadian friends, issues with customs prevent the store from sending product your way. Other than that and a few other exceptions The Whiskey Exchange can and does ship worldwide. Like myself, Abbott said that they receive many inquiries of Amer Picon and many people assume they cannot ship to the U.S., but problem solved, at least for the majority of us who are willing to pay a little extra tax (Abbott says they are working on that as well). While you're at their site, check out their range of products. They do have a great selection that includes some hard to find spirits and now that the shipping is cleared up there's no reason not to. I would still make a quick inquiry before you order just to make sure of the current status as custom and state laws do have a tendency to change.
Do you have a source for Amer Picon you would like to share? Thoughts on the bitter or another liqueur you want to know about? Leave a comment.
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