Manicardi Extravecchio DOP Balsamic Vinegar Aged Over 25 Years

This is the real deal.I bought a bottle of this (for a lot less) from the producer in Italy during a food tour. It is the most insanely delicious stuff I have ever had. I really didn't understand the whole balsamic vinegar thing until this tour. First, I appreciated the time and patience it took to make it. Second, we had a chance to sample different ages. There is such a big difference between the 12 year and 25 year I did not hesitate to purchase the most expensive, most aged bottle and carefully hand carry it home in my luggage. Put this on vanilla ice cream and you'd almost think it was chocolate syrup with the hint of a bite, it is that sweet. They take no shortcuts. They grow their own grapes and use them. They do not boil down wine vinegar or add anything to sweeten it.This is not for cooking. This is for garnishing!I'm just not sure what would be cheaper. Buying this bottle when I run out or taking another trip to Italy.

I'm not a fan. I was hoping that because of the price and reviews I'd be blown away but I'm just not really impressed. It's slightly sweet with a weird vinegary aftertaste almost like burned grapes that linger on the palate. I thought the flavors would be better balanced for extra vecchio.

This is almost the best that I have ever found. Years ago, I found a COLAVITA Balsimic vinegar that was possibly a little better, about the same cost, and thick like this stuff. It is a bit difficult to open: cut around and thru the sealing just above the bulge, about 3/4 inch from the top. I used an automatic corkscrew to pull the cork -- it still took significant effort. Once the original cork is out, the second cork with a glass dispenser tube is used to pour it out in a thin line. It is a bit thinner than warm molasses.

I was worried before ordering as I something like this is worth counterfeiting for the high price per volume. I am happy to say that it tastes like an aceto balsamico tradizionale. To me it is very cherry forward. If you have never tried this there is no comparison to what we know as balsamic vinegar in the US. If you do get this to try you have to put some on vanilla bean ice cream. The combination is mind blowing.

I used taste top to good qualities Balsamic Vinegar which are consistent flavor after taste. This is under the standard, even no fresh taste. I won't recommend. 25 years aged, not like this.

I have recently acquired a sort of balsamic hobby if you will. I decided to go ahead with this purchase albeit it was extremely expensive for such a small bottle. However, the taste is unlike anything you will ever find at the grocery store. The closest thing you could do is heavily reduce a bottle of cheap balsamic to try to mimic the flavor of this but you still won't even come close. Definitely worth the buy if it's within your budget

I returned some old schoolbooks and decided to use the money on something I could otherwise never offord. I could not be more pleased with my purchase! This is such a treat. For my first experience I wanted to go full Italian so me and my husband went down to Reading Terminal Market in Philly. We returned home with prosciutto, sopressata, aged cheddar, basil, grapes and a loaf of bread. We drizzled the balsamic on top of our lunch and ate like kings. Since that first day, we've drizzled balsamic on pork tenderloin, pan fried salmon, and even vanilla ice cream!

Expected more. My balsamic purchases have been in the$50 range. Will return there since this extra vecchio was not even as good.