Toschi Nocello 750ML is an Italian walnut and hazelnut liqueur bottled at 24% ABV (48 proof) in a distinctive 750ml bottle. A Gold Medal winner at the 2004 International Wine and Spirit Competition, this Modena-born liqueur stands apart through its traditional two-year oak aging of hand-picked green walnuts — a process rooted in Italian folk tradition.Quick Facts: ABV: 24% | Origin: Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy | Style: Walnut & Hazelnut Liqueur | Distillery: Toschi VignolaProduction & HeritageToschi Vignola operates out of Savignano sul Panaro in the province of Modena, a region long associated with Italy's finest artisan food and drink traditions. Production of Nocello begins with green walnuts picked on Midsummer's Day — a timing rooted in Italian superstition that the nuts possess peak aromatic intensity at that moment. The shelled walnuts are soaked in oak casks of neutral spirit for two years, after which the liquid is redistilled with the addition of herbs and spices. The result is a deeply flavored nut liqueur that carries the unmistakable character of slow oak extraction. Each bottle is finished with an imitation walnut affixed to the cork stopper, a signature detail that makes it instantly recognizable.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with a heady wave of roasted walnuts and hazelnuts, followed by balsa wood and vanilla. Underneath, delicate spice and a faint cocoa-like warmth emerge as the liqueur breathes.Taste: On entry, the palate meets a luxurious, oily texture carrying sweet walnut flavor that quickly deepens at mid-palate into roasted nut richness. Notes of chocolate, coffee, and warm baking spice build toward a harmonious peak where sweetness and a slight walnut bitterness find balance.Finish: The finish is long and enveloping, with lingering mocha coffee and cocoa undertones. A syrupy warmth persists alongside a gentle bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check.How to Drink NocelloNocello is best enjoyed neat at room temperature or slightly chilled, where its full walnut complexity can unfold without dilution. It also excels as a modifier in cocktails. Try it in an Espresso Martini, where the walnut and cocoa notes deepen the coffee base. It works beautifully in a Brandy Alexander variation, replacing crème de cacao with Nocello for a nuttier, more textured drink. A simple Nocello Sour — shaken with lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white — highlights the liqueur's aromatic depth against bright citrus.Best For After-dinner digestif service alongside espresso or dark chocolate Gifting to a home bartender building an Italian liqueur collection Adding depth to autumn and winter cocktail menus Drizzling over vanilla gelato, panna cotta, or tiramisu as a dessert finishing touch Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Nocello taste like? Nocello delivers a rich, layered profile of roasted walnut and hazelnut with supporting notes of vanilla, cocoa, coffee, and warm spice, balanced by a gentle bitterness that prevents it from tasting overly sweet.How does Nocello compare to Frangelico? While both are Italian nut liqueurs, Frangelico leads with hazelnut and a lighter, more overtly sweet profile, whereas Nocello centers on walnut with a denser, oilier texture and deeper cocoa and coffee undertones from its two-year oak aging. Nocello's slightly bitter walnut character also gives it more complexity as a standalone sipper.Is Nocello good for sipping neat? Nocello is an excellent neat sipper, particularly as a digestif, due to its moderate 24% ABV, rich mouthfeel, and layered walnut-and-spice complexity that rewards slow, attentive drinking.Where is Nocello made? Nocello is produced by Toschi Vignola in Savignano sul Panaro, located in the province of Modena within Italy's Emilia-Romagna region — an area celebrated for its culinary heritage including balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and traditional liqueurs.What foods pair well with Nocello? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and walnut notes directly. Strong aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Gorgonzola contrast the sweetness with savory depth. Walnut-studded biscotti mirrors the liqueur's core flavor. Roasted pear or baked apple desserts gain richness from a Nocello drizzle. Tiramisu or coffee-based desserts amplify the mocha undertones.What sizes does Nocello come in? Toschi Nocello is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.Is Nocello worth the price? Nocello positions as a mid-range specialty liqueur, and its two-year oak aging, distinctive walnut-forward profile, and IWSC Gold Medal credentials offer strong value compared to many nut liqueurs that rely on simpler infusion methods.Why Nocello?What separates Toschi Nocello from the broader nut liqueur category is the commitment to time-intensive production — a full two years of oak cask maceration before redistillation, a process most competitors skip entirely. The 2004 IWSC Gold Medal and additional recognition at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirm that this approach delivers measurable quality. The walnut-driven flavor profile, with its cocoa, coffee, and spice complexity, occupies a distinct space from hazelnut-led alternatives like Frangelico. For anyone seeking a serious Italian nut liqueur with genuine depth and craft behind it, Nocello remains one of the category's most distinctive expressions.
