Old and bitter
January 1, 2014 4:49 PM Subscribe
My parents have found an unopened bottle of Fernet that belonged to my grandfather. This makes it at least 25 years old. Do herb liquors like this get any better or worse with such age? Is it still safe to drink?
Ok, let's get this out of the way first: Yes, I happen to like Fernet Branca.
I think the bottle has been stored in various closets and later in a dining room cabinet. So it's been in relative darkness but probably at room temperature. So we are not looking at "wine cellar conditions" for storage or anything like that.
Ok, let's get this out of the way first: Yes, I happen to like Fernet Branca.
I think the bottle has been stored in various closets and later in a dining room cabinet. So it's been in relative darkness but probably at room temperature. So we are not looking at "wine cellar conditions" for storage or anything like that.
Safe? Yes. Exceptionally good? Maybe not.
Drink it in good health.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:59 PM on January 1, 2014
Drink it in good health.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:59 PM on January 1, 2014
This article is relevant to your interests.
It's going to be like most distilled spirits in that it's pretty robust in bottle and won't improve or degrade significantly when unopened. Some stuff may change, but it's usually marginal.
If it were old old, it'd likely be of interest to cocktail mavens who seek out older bottles of spirits whose recipes change over time. If there's a bar in your area with that reputation, then you might ask if they're interested. At very least, it'll be worth a taste alongside new Fernet.
posted by holgate at 5:19 PM on January 1, 2014
It's going to be like most distilled spirits in that it's pretty robust in bottle and won't improve or degrade significantly when unopened. Some stuff may change, but it's usually marginal.
If it were old old, it'd likely be of interest to cocktail mavens who seek out older bottles of spirits whose recipes change over time. If there's a bar in your area with that reputation, then you might ask if they're interested. At very least, it'll be worth a taste alongside new Fernet.
posted by holgate at 5:19 PM on January 1, 2014
No fernet will behave more like vermouth. The aromatics aren't stable.
posted by JPD at 5:22 PM on January 1, 2014
posted by JPD at 5:22 PM on January 1, 2014
Response by poster: So, I guess it's pretty likely to be bland or, at best, just kind of meh?
I like the idea of trying it with a newer bottle for comparison, though!
posted by delicious-luncheon at 5:44 PM on January 1, 2014
I like the idea of trying it with a newer bottle for comparison, though!
posted by delicious-luncheon at 5:44 PM on January 1, 2014
As you know Fernet is pretty strong so I doubt it'll be bland but its hard to say which notes will have receded vs those that have moved to the fore.
It could end up being good if different from what it tasted like originally.
posted by JPD at 5:50 PM on January 1, 2014
It could end up being good if different from what it tasted like originally.
posted by JPD at 5:50 PM on January 1, 2014
You know, everyone says that bottled spirits don't change in the bottle, but I drank a bottle of Benedictine that had been sitting around for years unopened and it was ASTOUNDING. Syrupy, evanescent, intensely magical.
posted by Kaleidoscope at 8:15 PM on January 1, 2014
posted by Kaleidoscope at 8:15 PM on January 1, 2014
I have a Prohibition-era unopened bottle of Fernet Branca and the only reason I haven't opened it and tried it yet is because I haven't gotten around to picking up a new bottle for comparison yet. It should be safe and hopefully good. I'd try it!
posted by bedhead at 9:12 AM on January 2, 2014
posted by bedhead at 9:12 AM on January 2, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Tanizaki at 4:55 PM on January 1, 2014