Forthave Spirits 'Black' Nocino Walnut Liqueur, New York

A sophisticated homage to the classic Italian walnut liqueur, Forthave Spirits Black Nocino is a dark and contemplative digestif handcrafted in Brooklyn. Made with locally foraged black walnuts from New York’s Hudson Valley, this bittersweet liqueur is the result of meticulous aging and botanical restraint. Its velvety depth and nutty intensity reflect both Old World traditions and New World innovation.

Product Details:

• Type: Walnut Liqueur (Nocino)
• Alcohol by Volume: 24%
• Ingredients: Hand-foraged black walnuts harvested in mid-July from the Hudson Valley; organic, non-GMO Brazilian sugarcane spirit; organic raw cane sugar (or optional wildflower honey); Tahitian vanilla; lemon peel
• Production Method: Macerated for 9 months in sugarcane spirit, then rested for an additional 9 months in stainless steel tanks and glass demijohns
• Distiller: Aaron Sing Fox
• Owner(s): Aaron Sing Fox and Daniel de la Nuez

Sensory Description:

The nose opens with earthy black walnut and bittersweet dark chocolate, lifted by warm baking spice and a whisper of honeyed vanilla. On the palate, the liqueur reveals concentrated walnut character enriched by molasses, toasted caramel, and a hint of green bitterness. The finish is long and balanced, with a savory, resinous edge that lingers gently.

Distiller's Background:

Forthave Spirits was founded in Brooklyn by painter Aaron Sing Fox and writer-producer Daniel de la Nuez, united by a shared passion for botanical spirits and minimalist production. The distillery operates with a plant-based ethos, using only whole ingredients, many of which are wild-foraged or organically grown. Their "Black" series, which includes the Black Nocino, highlights individual ingredients with exceptional focus. Their approach to nocino includes a unique late harvest of black walnuts in mid-July, an intentional choice to deepen extraction and amplify bitterness, followed by a lengthy aging regimen for complexity and smoothness.

Serving Suggestions:

• Neat or Over Ice: Serve at 50–55°F in a small glass for a contemplative post-dinner sipper.
• Dessert Pairing: Drizzle over vanilla ice cream or affogato for a luxurious twist.
• Coffee Companion: Stir into espresso or coffee-based cocktails to enhance depth and warmth.
• Dessert Ingredient: Add to cream-based or chocolate desserts for added richness and nuttiness.

Why Forthave Spirits Black Nocino?

Because it’s a bold, Brooklyn-born reinterpretation of a European classic, rooted in local terroir, built with care, and finished with patience. Whether savored alone or incorporated into cocktails and desserts, this small-batch nocino offers a walnut-rich experience like no other.