In a wine cellar in Viby, a man and his cellar master spent months chasing the right balance of ginger, liquorice and saffron. The result became one of the most powerful Danish bitters ever made.
Expert's description
Arnbitter is a Danish bitter at 50% ABV, bottled at 70 cl.
The bitter was invented by Arne M. Hansen in a wine storage facility in Viby J. near Aarhus, together with cellar master Harald P. Sorensen; the exact starting date is unknown, but production is believed to have begun in the 1950s. Arnbitter spread commercially through the 1960s and had its breakthrough in 1970, winning gold at an international wine and spirits exhibition in Rotterdam on 2 October that year. The company Anthon Thorup acquired Arnbitter in 1978, and in 2015 the brand was sold to Just Drinks A/S, after which production moved to Copenhagen. The recipe is secret, but it is known to include ginger, liquorice root, cloves and saffron, blended in 2,500-litre copper tanks where it rests for three months before bottling.
Tasting notes
Nose
Sharp ginger and spiced clove, over a deep liquorice base.
Taste
Powerful and warm, with clear ginger, saffron and liquorice.
Finish
Long and spiced, with a lingering warmth.
Specifications
Name: Arnbitter Danish Bitter
Country/Region: Aarhus / Copenhagen, Denmark
Type: Danish Bitter
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 cl
Serving suggestion: Serve cold, in small pours
Flavour profile
Ginger · Liquorice · Clove · Saffron
Did you know?
Arnbitter won gold at an international wine and spirits exhibition in Rotterdam on 2 October 1970, an event that truly kick-started the brand's spread.
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