The history of Amaro Lucano dates back to the late 19th century in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. It was created by Pasquale Vena, a herbalist from Pisticci, a small town in the province of Matera.Pasquale Vena, an expert in the preparation of medicinal herbal remedies, developed a secret recipe for a bitter that combined several herbs, spices and local citrus fruits. The bitter was initially made for personal and family use, but soon gained popularity among friends and acquaintances for its unique flavor.Amaro Lucano’s fame grew rapidly, and in 1894, Pasquale Vena officially founded the Vena distillery, dedicating it to the large-scale production of Amaro Lucano. The secret recipe and craftsmanship were passed down from generation to generation within the Vena family.In the following years, Amaro Lucano became a commercial success not only locally, but also throughout Italy. Over time, the Vena distillery modernized its production processes and expanded its product range to include variants such as Amaro Lucano Riserva, Amaro Lucano Anniversario, and other herbal liqueurs.Amaro Lucano is appreciated for its unique and balanced taste, with notes of herbs, spices, citrus and a slight sweetness. It is often consumed as a digestif after meals or used as an ingredient in cocktails and drinks.Today, Amaro Lucano is one of the best known and most appreciated liqueurs in Italy and abroad, with a widespread presence in bars and in the homes of many liquor enthusiasts.A secret recipe that has been handed down for four generations and a story to be experienced in its "essence," in 32 aromatic herbs that encapsulate tradition, art, culture, customs and habits and that together speak "Lucano.""Essenza Lucano" is precisely the name of the modern, interactive business museum: a multisensory journey of discovery of the Vena family, built in late 2019 on a 20,000-square-meter area near the plant.The Vena distillery continues to produce Amaro Lucano according to the original recipe, keeping the tradition and legacy of Pasquale Vena alive.
