Alma de Trabanco Quinquina en Rama, Asturias, Spain NV [1L]
Alma de Trabanco represents a groundbreaking collaboration between two legendary Northern Spanish producers: Trabanco, the premier cider house of Asturias founded in 1925, and Destilerías Acha, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the Basque Country (established 1831). This revolutionary aperitif honors the memory of Trabanco founder Emilio Trabanco, who would traditionally add botanicals to his cider. The result is Spain's first quinquina based on natural, unfiltered cider rather than wine—a distinctive "en rama" style that preserves the raw character of Asturian cider while incorporating the botanical complexity of Basque vermouth-making tradition.
- PRODUCER: Trabanco (Lavandera, Asturias) in collaboration with Destilerías Acha (Amurrio, Basque Country)
- COLLABORATION PRINCIPALS: Samuel Trabanco (4th generation, Trabanco) and Gabriel Acha (Master Distiller, Destilerías Acha)
- BASE: Natural Asturian cider "en rama" (unfiltered), blended with white wine and botanicals macerated in grape spirit
- BOTANICALS: Cinchona bark (quinquina), wormwood, savory, gentian, artemisia, boldo, cinnamon, star anise, coriander, thyme, vanilla, cherry, orange peel, lemon
- PRODUCTION: Botanicals are macerated in aguardiente (grape brandy distilled in Acha's 130-year-old copper pot still), then blended with Trabanco's estate-grown apple cider and white wine base. Bottled at 15% ABV without filtration to preserve the "en rama" character.
- HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Quinquina aperitifs originated in 17th-century Peru, where Jesuit missionaries discovered that cinchona bark could treat malaria. The tradition flourished in France during the late 19th century when quinquina-based tonics became café staples. Alma de Trabanco reimagines this heritage through an Asturian lens, replacing the traditional wine base with natural cider—a first in the quinquina category.
- TASTING NOTES: Golden amber color. Aromatic nose of wormwood, orange blossom, fresh apple, and warming spices. The palate balances the natural acidity and slight tannin of unfiltered cider with the herbal bitterness of cinchona and gentian, brightened by citrus peel and sweetened subtly with vanilla and cherry notes. Medium-bodied with a refreshing, tonic-like finish that showcases both the apple character and botanical complexity.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve chilled straight up with ice, garnished with an olive and apple slice. Mix with tonic water and citrus for a refreshing spritz. Use in place of sweet vermouth in Negroni or Manhattan variations. Pairs beautifully with Spanish tapas, cured meats, aged cheeses, and seafood.
Alma de Trabanco Quinquina en Rama, Asturias, Spain NV [1L]
Alma de Trabanco represents a groundbreaking collaboration between two legendary Northern Spanish producers: Trabanco, the premier cider house of Asturias founded in 1925, and Destilerías Acha, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the Basque Country (established 1831). This revolutionary aperitif honors the memory of Trabanco founder Emilio Trabanco, who would traditionally add botanicals to his cider. The result is Spain's first quinquina based on natural, unfiltered cider rather than wine—a distinctive "en rama" style that preserves the raw character of Asturian cider while incorporating the botanical complexity of Basque vermouth-making tradition.
- PRODUCER: Trabanco (Lavandera, Asturias) in collaboration with Destilerías Acha (Amurrio, Basque Country)
- COLLABORATION PRINCIPALS: Samuel Trabanco (4th generation, Trabanco) and Gabriel Acha (Master Distiller, Destilerías Acha)
- BASE: Natural Asturian cider "en rama" (unfiltered), blended with white wine and botanicals macerated in grape spirit
- BOTANICALS: Cinchona bark (quinquina), wormwood, savory, gentian, artemisia, boldo, cinnamon, star anise, coriander, thyme, vanilla, cherry, orange peel, lemon
- PRODUCTION: Botanicals are macerated in aguardiente (grape brandy distilled in Acha's 130-year-old copper pot still), then blended with Trabanco's estate-grown apple cider and white wine base. Bottled at 15% ABV without filtration to preserve the "en rama" character.
- HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Quinquina aperitifs originated in 17th-century Peru, where Jesuit missionaries discovered that cinchona bark could treat malaria. The tradition flourished in France during the late 19th century when quinquina-based tonics became café staples. Alma de Trabanco reimagines this heritage through an Asturian lens, replacing the traditional wine base with natural cider—a first in the quinquina category.
- TASTING NOTES: Golden amber color. Aromatic nose of wormwood, orange blossom, fresh apple, and warming spices. The palate balances the natural acidity and slight tannin of unfiltered cider with the herbal bitterness of cinchona and gentian, brightened by citrus peel and sweetened subtly with vanilla and cherry notes. Medium-bodied with a refreshing, tonic-like finish that showcases both the apple character and botanical complexity.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve chilled straight up with ice, garnished with an olive and apple slice. Mix with tonic water and citrus for a refreshing spritz. Use in place of sweet vermouth in Negroni or Manhattan variations. Pairs beautifully with Spanish tapas, cured meats, aged cheeses, and seafood.