R. Jelínek Fernet Liqueur

R. Jelínek Fernet Liqueur is a Czech herbal liqueur produced near the spa town of Luhačovice, a region with a long history of herbalism and distillation. In the fernet style its recipe rests on a carefully balanced selection of aromatic herbs and spices that give the liqueur its distinctive, tart character. Bottled at 38%, it sits firmly at the bitter, digestif end of the herbal category.

The nose is slightly minty, marked by intense herbal aromas, aniseed, cloves, sultanas and fresh mint, while the palate is spicy, tart and complex with pronounced herbal notes and a fine bitterness, closing dry and long with a slightly bitter aftertaste. For the trade that bitter, herbal backbone is the point: it adds depth, dryness and an aromatic bitterness that balances sweeter ingredients in a mix. It is traditionally served neat and well chilled as a digestif or after dinner liqueur, and works as a strong component in selected cocktails, particularly after hearty meals.