Introduction to the Enigmatic Fernet

The Essence of Fernet: More Than Just a Liqueur

Fernet, with its reputation as a cultural phenomenon and flavor powerhouse, is far more than the sum of its parts. At its heart, Fernet is an Italian herbal liqueur that boasts both a storied past and a contemporary revival. Whether you're a mixologist or simply an adventurous drinker, this libation offers a journey through taste that's unlike any other—enigmatic, bold, and intriguingly bitter.

Deciphering the Flavor Profile

The Quintessential Components of Fernet Hunter's Taste

Fernet Hunter uses a recipe that dates back to the early 1900s, this aromatic spirit is made from a select combination of botanicals, including Arnica, Orrisroot, and Lavender, which are found around our farm in the Austrian forest of Brunnwald. These herbs and spices are handpicked and dried during the hunting season, hence the name Fernet Hunter. Utilizing a low- temperature infusion method, the true essence of each ingredient is extracted, which gives Fernet Hunter its unique character and balance. 

Fernet Hunter

Nose: Soft, slightly sweet floral note, with a slight citrus undertone, woody, complex spiced notes at the rear.

Taste: Bittersweet notes upfront, then warm herbal notes moving into a floral character in the middle palate. Journey starts from herbaceous spiced flavors moving through to sweet floral bitterness with lavender notes.

Finish: Sweet herbal notes with underlying flora in the mouth followed by a bark note and pleasant bitterness in the finish.

Country: Austria

Region: Brunnwald

Type: Fernet

Alcohol: 29% Vol

Size: 700 ml

Fernet Hunter is a fresh take on a classic Italian bitter. Established in collaboration between father and son (Holzer and Holzer), Fernet Hunter combines centuries of experience in distilling and alcohol trade with a modern approach to bartending. Fernet Hunter shows amazing versatility and maintains a remarkable balance and intensity even with a lot of dilution. It can be enjoyed in many ways - simply chilled, cut with water or tea, as a highball or in cocktails. Shop here 

Fernet Hunter Granit

Nose: Woody, slightly earthy dry notes. An aromatic herbal undertone, with complex floral notes at the rear.

Taste: Dry bitterness upfront, then warm spice notes moving into floral herbal flavors in the middle palate. Journey starts from dry spices moving through to herbal touches, and chamomile notes.

Finish: Dry notes with mild spice in the mouth followed by a herbal and floral bitterness in the finish.

Country: Austria

Region: Brunnwald

Type: Fernet

Alcohol: 29% Vol

Size: 700 ml

Granit is the second generation of the original Fernet Hunter and the second collaboration of the original between father and son (Holzer and Holzer). A true bitter, what separates Fernet Hunter Granit from Fernet Hunter is its dryness, increased bitter notes, and decreased sugar content. In addition to arnica, orris root, and lavender, Fernet Hunter Granit is also made with chamomile, which provides a strong aromatic character and complexity to this to this unique bitter. The name "Granit" refers to the solid granite rocks that can be found throughout Austria's Mühlviertel region— a part of the Bohemian massif that stretches from the Czech Republic to the Northern parts of Austria. The idea for Fernet hunter Granit was conceived in 2016 and after listening to the advice of some of the world's leading bartenders along with Gilbert Holzer, the mastermind behind the Fernet Hunter recipe. Shop here

Production of Fernet Hunter

Base spirits are blended and cut to 44%. Botanicals are dried, blended and placed in a percolator machine for a 24 hour maceration, then 2 weeks of slow drip extraction with no oxygen contact. This maintains the medicinal properties based on apothecary methods. A second blending at 20C combines this extract with a base spirit blend, white beet sugar, and well water to dilute to 29%. It is rested for 1 month in Stainless Steel. All color comes naturally from the botanical infusion, no barrel aging, caramel or coloring.

How to Savor Fernet Hunter

Classic Approaches to Enjoying Fernet

When it comes to enjoying Fernet, classic methods have stood the test of time. One traditional way is to sip it neat or chilled, allowing the complexity of its flavors to shine through uninterrupted. For those new to Fernet, diluting it with a bit of water can soften the bitterness and reveal more nuanced herbal notes. In Italy, it's often enjoyed as a digestive after a meal, signifying the end of a dining experience with a bittersweet note.

Experimenting with Fernet in Modern Mixology

In the realm of mixology, the Yotei Sour emerges as a beacon of sophistication, blending the distinctive flavors of Fernet Hunter Yotei with the bright tang of lemon juice, the subtle sweetness of sugar syrup, and the velvety texture of egg white. With each sip, this cocktail invites you into a world of complexity and depth— the herbal richness of Fernet Hunter Yotei intertwines harmoniously with the citrusy zest of lemon, while the egg white adds a luxurious creaminess to the mix. Garnished with a delicate lemon peel, the Yotei Sour isn't just a cocktail; it's an experience—a journey through layers of flavor that leaves a lasting impression on the palate. Shop here for Yotei