Forthave Spirits Mithradates VI

Forthave Spirits Mithradates VI feels ancient, vinous, and deeply botanical. This wine-based amaro comes from Forthave Spirits in Brooklyn, New York. It's inspired by Mithridatum, a legendary herbal elixir associated with Mithradates VI of Pontus. Strange history, delicious result. The recipe uses red wine from New York's Finger Lakes and a complex infusion of 34 botanicals. Expect fig, cardamom, cedar, mace, bitter orange, and earthy herbs wrapped in a savory red-wine frame. At 24% ABV, or 48 proof, it drinks beautifully neat, over ice, or as a bold vermouth substitute.

Nose:
Dark fig rises first with a rich, wine-soaked aroma. Cardamom and mace follow with warm spice, adding an exotic snap that feels old-world and magnetic. Cedar, bitter orange, and dried herbs build underneath, giving the nose a forested, almost medicinal depth.

Palate:
The palate opens bitter, vinous, and densely layered. Red wine gives it a savory fruit core, while fig and spice add plushness through the middle. Bitter orange, horehound, and earthy botanicals create tension, keeping the sweetness restrained and beautifully precise.

Finish:
The finish feels long, dry, and herbal. Cedar and mace linger with a firm, warming grip. Bitter citrus fades into dried fruit, roots, and dark spice, leaving a serious final impression that feels elegant and mysterious.

Pair Forthave Mithradates VI with aged gouda, blue cheese, or washed-rind cheese. The amaro’s bitter herbs cut through richness, while fig and spice soften the salty edges.

Serve it with duck pâté, charcuterie, or prosciutto-wrapped figs. Its red-wine base echoes cured meat, while bitter orange brings a bright, cleansing lift.

Try it beside roasted mushrooms, lamb meatballs, or black garlic crostini. Earthy flavors pull out the cedar, roots, and savory botanical depth beautifully.

For dessert, match it with dark chocolate, fig cake, or spiced walnut biscotti. The bittersweet finish keeps each bite complex, balanced, and quietly dramatic.