Spitz Jagertee

Spitz Jagertee is a tea liqueur from the Austrian producer S. Spitz, a firm founded by Salomon Spitz in Linz in 1857 and now based in Attnang-Puchheim. Bottled at a high 60% in a 1L format, it follows the Jagertee tradition of a strong, spiced winter drink, made to an old recipe and flavoured with cloves, the concentrated base for hot serves rather than a sipping liqueur.

The nose is spicy and sweet with clove, the palate winy and warm with clove and orange, the finish long. Built around black tea, honey, citrus and warm baking spice, it is designed to be diluted: the high strength means it is intended to be lengthened, traditionally with hot water or tea, to make the warming winter drink it is named for. On a menu it is a seasonal fixture for cold weather and apres ski service, where a measure stretched hot delivers clove and orange spice with honeyed sweetness. Handle the neat strength with care and serve it long and warm.