Fernet-Branca

This very well known brand of amaro, or bitters, is still made to the same secret recipe of over 40 herbs and spices that's been used since 1845. It's aged for a full year in barrel before bottling. With a pale brown colour it's intensely aromatic, almost pungent, with a distinctly medicinal, herb character. But it has a good balance and richness and is excellent served on ice as a digestif, or mixed in cocktails.

Fernet Branca was created in Milan back in 1845 by Bernadino Branca originally for medicinal purposes. However, it soon started to be consumed socially and quickly gained a following as an amaro, or bitter liqueur. This popularity led to it being made on a bigger scale and saw the establishment of the Fratelli Branca distillery in Milan to meet the demand. It's still made there today.