Becherovka Original
Herbal Liqueur / Fortified-style Bitters · Jan Becher - Karlovarská Becherovka, a.s.
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type
Herbal Liqueur / Fortified-style Bitters
Producer
Jan Becher - Karlovarská Becherovka, a.s.
Country
Czech Republic
Vintage
Non-Vintage
Region & Appellation
Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Grape Varieties
Not applicable; made from a secret blend of herbs, spices, alcohol, sugar, and local Karlovy Vary thermal spring water
Color & Appearance
Deep amber with golden highlights, clear and bright with medium viscosity and slow-moving legs
Aroma Profile
Intense herbal bouquet dominated by notes of cinnamon, cloves, star anise, citrus peel, and gentle earthy undertones
Tasting Notes
A rich, warming entry on the palate leading to a complex mid-palate of bittersweet spices and herbs, finishing long, smooth, and pleasantly warming
Flavor Profile
Distinctive notes of cinnamon, clove, candied orange peel, and a harmonious bitter-sweet botanical complexity
Body & Texture
Medium-full body with a lush, viscous, and warming mouthfeel
Acidity & Tannins
Low acidity with no tannins, balanced entirely by structural herbal bitterness and sugar content
Sweetness Level
Sweet / Liqueur style with significant residual sugar balanced by botanical bitterness
Alcohol Content
38% ABV
Aging & Oak
Matured in oak casks to allow the botanical maceration to harmonize and soften
Food Pairings
Enjoyed neat as an after-dinner digestif, or paired with rich chocolate desserts, citrus tarts, and blue cheeses
Serving Suggestions
Serve very cold at around -6 to -4 degrees Celsius in a small cordial glass, or as a long drink with tonic water (known as a Beton)
Price Range
20 to 30 USD
Quality Assessment
Iconic traditional herbal liqueur of exceptional consistency and global renown, scoring consistently high in international spirit competitions
Production Methods
Secret blend of approximately 20 herbs and spices, steeped in alcohol, blended with Karlovy Vary water and sugar, then aged in oak barrels
Terroir
Derived from the unique spa town of Karlovy Vary, utilizing its famed mineral-rich thermal waters
History & Heritage
Created in 1807 by Josef Vitus Becher in Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary), the recipe has been a closely guarded secret passed down through generations
Interesting Facts
Often referred to affectionately by the Czechs as the thirteenth spring of Karlovy Vary, complementing the town's twelve famous hot mineral springs
Cellaring Potential
Extremely stable; can be stored indefinitely in a cool, dark place without degradation
Similar Wines
Fernet Branca, Jägermeister, Unicum, Campari