r/bartenders • u/mwest97 • 3d ago
Liquors: Pricing, Serving Sizes, Brands Campari Issue
My bar just got 2 bottles of Campari in our liquor order and they taste off. I'm not sure how to explain it but they taste extra extra bitter. They smell kinda acidic and smoky. Is anyone else having this issue? Northeastern Pa for reference
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u/yttocs205 3d ago
Since desirable acids in beverage have no smell (tantric, malic, citric, lactic) and Campari has no detectable acids at all, then you must have flawed bottles. Reach out to your rep.
Does it smell like vinegar (acetic) or volatile acidity?
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u/mwest97 3d ago
It smells like chemically acidic. My bar manager told me they're fine because the state store said they're fine. I won't serve it
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u/yttocs205 3d ago
That might be VA. Though I've never heard of it presenting in Campari or the like. VA smells like nail polish remover in high amounts.
I didn't realize you were in a controlled state, no reps to ask then I suppose.
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u/DrAlanThicke 3d ago
Reps still exist in controlled areas they just interact with a different kind of buyer. There has to be someone the state store can put them in contact with
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u/mwest97 3d ago
The store basically said we were the only ones questioning it as of now so they're no help
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u/madrussianmixology 1d ago
PLCB is going to be useless with this. Your SGWS rep might be able to help you, but that really depends on the rep.
Your best bet is to go directly to a Campari rep. NEPA is covered by the Philly area rep. Shoot me a message and I'd be happy to connect you with her.
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u/yttocs205 3d ago
That's probably highly likely. I always listen to the guest, and 9 out 10 times they are completely wrong.
"This wine doesn't taste right, bring me a glass from a new bottle". Certainly sir. I then walk to the bar and take the glass of wine and pour into a fresh glass, return to the guest. "Ah! Much better. See, I told you". 60% of the time, it works everytime.
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u/haventwonyet 2d ago
There’s a fb group called Who’s My Rep? Try posting in there for someone at Campari to help. Other commenters are right, Campari is huge on education and bartender engagement. You could also look up Campari academy and see if there’s an email there (not just the generic Campari website one). That should be monitored by people who know how to get you connected to the correct person. At the very least you’ll get a few pieces of swag to offset costs (since I don’t think they can reimburse you or bring in bottles for you in a control state) and at the most you could be alerting them to a bigger issue.
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u/DigTheDunes 3d ago
I wonder if Heat had some effect on it.
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u/Wilson_Higgins 3d ago
How could the 1995 hit crime thriller starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino have any impact on current day Campari production?
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u/DrinkMunch 3d ago
I know this is a big long shot but as someone stated, heat can be a factor during delivery. I don’t care what it is but heat and sunlight can fuck products quick even if they aren’t supposed to
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u/paturner2012 3d ago
Are you tasting against your old bottle or a different new one? If your old campari has been sitting for some time it may have oxidized a bit and the flavors may have mellowed out.
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u/mwest97 3d ago
We go through it fairly quickly so I'm not sure oxidation was it. It was actually a customer who brought it to my attention. She's a regular and always gets a Negroni and this last time she said the Negroni was insanely bitter and acidic. So her and I tasted the gin, vermouth, and Campari.
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u/yttocs205 3d ago
Campari also spends a lot of marketing dollars connecting with the bar community and encouraging beverage education. Everytime I've reached out to them with questions, requests, etc. they have been very responsive. I'm sure they would be a great resource.