Fernet-Branca is one of Italy's most iconic amari, first created in Milan in 1845 by Bernardino Branca. Produced from a closely guarded recipe said to include 27 herbs, roots, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world, it is aged in large oak casks for at least one year before bottling, allowing its bold flavors to integrate and mellow. Intensely herbal and bittersweet, the palate reveals layers of mint, saffron, myrrh, chamomile, aloe, gentian, cardamom, and baking spice, balanced by notes of dark chocolate and eucalyptus. Its long, cooling finish and assertive bitterness have made it a favorite both as a traditional digestif and as a versatile cocktail ingredient. Bottled at 39% ABV, Fernet-Branca is enjoyed neat, over ice, with cola in Argentina, or in modern classics such as the Toronto and Hanky Panky. More than 175 years after its creation, it remains the benchmark for the fernet style and one of the world's most influential amari.
