With a long and illustrious history as an esteemed spirits inventor, distiller and distributor, Fratelli Branca Distillerie has lost none of its drive and innovation since its inception.
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Fratelli Branca Distillerie’s story started in 1845, when founder Bernadino Branca and his three sons invented its iconic bitter liqueur Fernet-Branca. Crafted from 27 herbs and botanicals carefully sourced from four continents, the intensely bitter liquor is world-renowned for its exceptional taste and its medicinal qualities. The secret formula of Fernet-Branca is closely guarded by the Branca family, passed down from generation to generation. Today, fifth generation Branca president and CEO Niccolò Branca still oversees the production process, personally measuring out the aromatics for the herbal liqueur.
Since taking charge in 1999, Niccolò Branca has worked on modernising the corporate structure and the development of Branca’s product portfolio. Central to his strategy is an emphasis on recruiting the brightest minds for Branca’s Research and Development department, ensuring that Branca continues to lead the way in innovative new products. To date, Niccolò Branca has added Caffè Borghetti, Grappa Candolini, Sambuca Borghetti, Carpano, Magnamater and vodka Sernova to Branca’s extensive liquor offerings, all of which were released to widespread acclaim and popularity.
Aside from product development, Niccolò Branca also aims to reinforce Branca’s position as the leading spirits maker and distributor worldwide. With strategic approaches to establishing distribution channels on a par with mammoth multinationals as well as shrewd and innovative marketing campaigns, Branca has grown exponentially in the domestic and international markets under Niccolò Branca’s leadership. Besides the more traditional North European market, Niccolò Branca has set his target on extending Branca’s presence in North America, South America as well as Australia.
Branca Distillerie’s portfolio includes Carpano, an institution in its own right. The famed Turinese company was founded by the wine merchant Antonio Benedetto Carpano, who invented the original Vermouth wine. His concoction of Italian wines with various herbs and spices was said to have won the approval of King Vittorio Amedeo III, becoming the drink of choice for the Turin people, the rich and the famous. To date, Carpano’s Antica Formula Vermouth enjoys global recognition as the world’s finest vermouth, made with its original recipe dating back to 1786.
Branca’s already impressive line-up includes Caffe Borghetti, Italy’s favourite coffee liqueur. Caffe Borghetti’s history dates back to 1860 when it was invented by Ugo Borghetti to commemorate the opening of the Pescara-Ancona railway line. The coffee liquor underwent a series of iterations, its eventual recipe including a mix of Robusta and Arabica coffee. Before long, Caffe Borghetti’s popularity led to its production on an industrial scale. Today, Caffe Borghetti boasts international acclaim, and lays claim as one of the bestselling coffee liqueurs in the world.
Tasting Notes
CAFFEE BORGHETTI
COLOUR
Caramel
ABV
25.0%
NOSE
Dark roasted freshly ground coffee, cacao and walnuts. A tinge of smokiness open into biscuit and charcoal.
PALATE
Rich, full-bodied coffee, hickory and dark chocolate.
FINISH
Hickory, hazelnuts and milk chocolate.
FERNET-BRANCA
COLOUR
Dark Amber
ABV
35%
NOSE
Fresh peppermint, spices, licorice, saffron.
PALATE
Fresh mint leaves, mint tea, camomile, mace, citrus and earthy notes.
FINISH
A lingering mint freshness with caramel tones, ripe prunes, slight astringent.
ANTICA FORMULA
COLOUR
Caramel
ABV
16.5%
NOSE
Rich dark chocolate, berries, slight bitterness, dried citrus peel, cinnamon.
PALATE
Rich and thick. Raisins, toast, aniseed, cinnamon sugar, oak and candied mandarin peel.
FINISH
Lingering notes of ripe fruits and
warm spices.
