Best overall among bottles you can still buy: Ventura. Fabrizia is the strongest alternative for a balanced artisanal style, while Pallini is gentler and easier to find. These conclusions come from Ben Perry’s original side-by-side tastings; availability and current bottle details were rechecked in 2026, but the products were not retasted.
| Brand | Original verdict | ABV | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ventura | Fresh, smooth, balanced; a favorite | 30% | Current; regional |
| Fabrizia | Balanced, clean artisanal bottle | 27% | Current |
| Rometti | Clean, crisp, minimally sweet | Not recorded | Unconfirmed |
| Danny DeVito | Bright and exceptionally balanced | 30% | Discontinued |
| Luxardo | Complex, lemon-forward and very rich | 27% | Current |
| Pallini | Gentle and approachable; some off-notes | 26% | Current |
| Caravella | Good heat balance; distracting off-flavors | 32% reviewed; 28% current | Current |
| Mezzaluna | Strong lemon; chemical off-flavor | 30% | Current; limited |
| Sogno di Sorrento | Syrupy and alcohol-hot | 30% | Current; limited |
| Petrone | Very sweet with a harsh alcohol bite | 35% reviewed; 33% current | Current; regional |
What these reviews can—and cannot—tell you
The tasting notes preserve a specific bottle and moment in time. They are useful for comparing sweetness, alcohol heat, lemon intensity, body and off-flavors, but they are not a promise that a newly purchased bottle will taste identical. Production methods and formulas can change.
Want to skip commercial bottles entirely? Use the tested homemade limoncello guide, or learn where to buy limoncello.