Unicum

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Unicum is a Hungarian herbal bitters, drunk as a digestif and apéritif.

According to legend, the drink was initially presented by an ancestor of Zwack founder József Zwack to Kaiser Joseph II of Austria, who proclaimed "Das ist ein Unikum!" ("This is a specialty!"). The liqueur is today produced by Zwack according to a secret formula including more than 40 herbs and aged in oak casks. During the Communist regime in Hungary, Unicum was produced by a different formula. After the fall of communism, Péter Zwack returned to Hungary and resumed the production of the original Unicum. The flavor of Unicum closely resembles that of Jägermeister, but it is considerably earthier and less sweet with a very bitter aftertaste.

Recently Zwack has also launched Unicum Next, a thinner-bodied drink which is more cherry flavoured in character. In Hungary it is marketed towards the female drinker, and often appeals more to the Western palate.