Ciroc Amaretto 375ML

Ciroc Amaretto 375ML is a French grape-based flavored vodka infused with cherry-almond and vanilla character, bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof). What separates this expression from conventional amaretto-flavored spirits is its foundation: rather than grain, the base spirit is distilled entirely from fine French grapes — Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc — then finished with an amaretto-inspired flavor profile that Wine Enthusiast reviewer Kara Newman described as reading "almost like amaretto liqueur because of the sweetness, smoothness and weight."

Quick Facts: ABV: 35% (70 proof)  |  Origin: Cognac & Gaillac, France  |  Flavored Vodka  |  Distillery: Maison Villevert

Production & Heritage

Ciroc Amaretto is produced at Maison Villevert in Salles d'Angles, located in the south of France, under the direction of Master Distiller Jean-Sébastien Robicquet. The base spirit undergoes five distillations — four in column stills followed by a final pass through a traditional, tailor-made copper pot still — a technique rooted in the craft traditions of the Cognac and Armagnac regions. Grapes are sourced from two distinct French appellations: Mauzac Blanc from Gaillac and Ugni Blanc from Cognac. After distillation, the spirit receives its amaretto character through an infusion of cherry-almond flavoring with a touch of vanilla, then is bottled at a slightly lower proof than the unflavored expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A pronounced marzipan sweetness leads, followed by ripe cherry and baking spice. There is a subtle undercurrent of maple and vanilla that adds warmth without heaviness.

Taste: The entry is rich and almond-forward, coating the palate with lightly sweetened cherry that builds through the mid-palate. Touches of maple and baking spice emerge as the flavor develops, while the grape-based spirit provides a cleaner, silkier texture than grain-based alternatives.

Finish: Surprisingly elongated for a flavored vodka, with lingering creamy almond and a soft vanilla fade. The copper pot still distillation contributes a smooth, rounded mouthfeel that carries through to the end.

How to Drink Ciroc Amaretto

Served chilled and neat, the 375ml format makes a convenient personal pour that highlights the marzipan and cherry-almond character without dilution. On the rocks, the flavors open gradually as ice melts. Three cocktails where this expression shines: an Amaretto Sour, where the grape-base spirit adds silkiness alongside lemon juice and simple syrup; a French Connection, traditionally made with Cognac and amaretto liqueur but given a lighter twist by substituting Ciroc Amaretto for both components; and a Godfather variation, replacing Scotch and amaretto with this single bottle for a streamlined almond-forward sipper over ice.

Best For

• Sampling a flavored vodka before committing to a full 750ml bottle
• Adding a dessert-style option to a home cocktail cart
• Bringing a compact, distinctive bottle to a gathering or dinner party
• Exploring grape-based vodka for the first time through an approachable flavor profile

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ciroc Amaretto taste like? Ciroc Amaretto delivers a dominant marzipan and sweet almond flavor with supporting notes of cherry, maple, baking spice, and vanilla. The grape-based spirit lends a smoother, silkier texture than grain-based flavored vodkas.

How does Ciroc Amaretto compare to Disaronno Amaretto Originale? Disaronno is a dedicated amaretto liqueur at 28% ABV with a flavor profile built entirely around bitter almond and stone fruit, while Ciroc Amaretto is a grape-based vodka at 35% ABV that uses amaretto as a flavoring layer on top of a five-times-distilled spirit. Ciroc Amaretto is lighter in body and higher in proof, making it more versatile as a cocktail base, whereas Disaronno carries deeper sweetness and viscosity typical of a traditional liqueur.

Is Ciroc Amaretto good for cocktails? Yes — the 35% ABV provides enough backbone to hold up in mixed drinks, and the built-in cherry-almond and vanilla flavors reduce the need for additional liqueurs in recipes like Amaretto Sours and Godfathers.

Where is Ciroc Amaretto made? It is produced at Maison Villevert distillery in Salles d'Angles in the south of France. The grapes used in the base spirit — Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc — are harvested from the Gaillac and Cognac regions, respectively.

What foods pair well with Ciroc Amaretto? Almond biscotti and Italian amaretti cookies echo the marzipan character directly. Dark chocolate truffles complement the vanilla and cherry notes. Stone fruit desserts like peach cobbler or cherry tart mirror the fruit infusion. Aged cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano provide a savory contrast to the sweetness. Crème brûlée pairs well with the caramelized maple and baking spice undertones.

What sizes does Ciroc Amaretto come in? Ciroc Amaretto is available in a 375ml half-bottle and a standard 750ml bottle, giving consumers the option to try the expression in a smaller format.

Is Ciroc Amaretto worth the price? Ciroc Amaretto positions as a premium flavored vodka, sitting above mass-market flavored spirits but below ultra-premium single-serve expressions. The five-distillation grape-based production and French provenance justify its placement in the upper tier of the flavored vodka category.

Why Ciroc Amaretto?

The defining differentiator here is the grape base. While most flavored vodkas start from grain or potato, Ciroc Amaretto begins with Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc grapes put through a rigorous five-distillation process — the final pass in a custom copper pot still — before any flavoring is introduced. That foundation gives the amaretto infusion a cleaner, more refined canvas than its grain-based competitors can provide. Wine Enthusiast noted the result is surprisingly close to an actual amaretto liqueur in weight and richness, yet it retains enough proof and spirit character at 35% ABV to function as a standalone cocktail ingredient rather than just a modifier.