Zwack
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| Type | Digestif |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Unicum Zwack plc |
| Distributor | Diageo plc |
| Country of origin | Budapest Hungary |
| Introduced | 1790 |
| Alcohol by volume | 40% |
| Proof (US) | 80 |
| Website | zwackunicum |
Zwack Unicum is a Hungarian company that manufactors among other liquors and spirits an 80 proof (40% alcohol) herbal liqueur known as Uniqum with a secret blend of more than 40 different herbs and spices. It is known as the National Shot of Hungary[1], is produced by Zwack, plc, in Budapest, Hungary, and is now imported into the US by Diageo. Zwack is also famous for its kosher fruit brandy, especially Zwack kosher plum brandy.
History
Unicum was created by Dr. József Zwack, the Royal Physician to the Habsburg Court, for Emperor Joseph II in 1790. It was not until 1840 that his 20-year-old son, Jozsef Zwack founded J. Zwack & Co., the first Hungarian liqueur manufacturer. By the early 1900s, the Zwack company had become one of the leading distilleries in central Europe, producing over 200 liqueurs and spirits, exported all over the world.
In 1915, Jozsef’s son, Lajos, took over the factory and left it to his two sons, Bela and Janos, upon his death. During World War II, Budapest and the Zwack factory were completely destroyed. After the war, with the Communist regime, the factory was nationalized in 1948. The Zwack family fled the country. Janos Zwack with his son Peter, great grandson of József, was able to escape with the original Zwack recipe in his pocket. Bela Zwack remained behind to give the communist government a “fake” Zwack recipe and went on to become a regular factory worker.
Meanwhile, Janos and Peter migrated to the United States and after several months in Ellis Island’s refugee camp were granted US entry purely because they possessed the Zwack recipe. They later settled in the Bronx in 1949 when Peter was 22 years old. It was in the US that Peter learned all the ins and outs of the spirits industry.
In 1988, just one year before the fall of Communism, Peter Zwack returned to Hungary and resumed production with the original Zwack formula. He repurchased his family business from the State in the summer of 1989, and by the spring of 1990, the original Zwack product was reintroduced to the Hungarian market. That same year, Peter was named Hungarian Ambassador to the United States[2].
The Zwack Company has since resumed its position as the leading distillery in eastern Europe. In 2008, Peter Zwack handed over the company’s leadership to the family’s 6th generation, his own children, Sandor and Izabella Zwack, to continue the family tradition. One of their first initiatives was to launch Zwack in the US, a landmark in the history of the company and for any internationally revered brand, but then decided against the idea, citing racism [citation needed].
Details
Unicum is made from a blend of more than 40 different herbs and spices. Some of the herbs and spices are distilled, some are macerated, then blended together and aged in oak casks at the factory in Budapest for over 6 months, giving Zwack liqueur a dark, amber color.
This bitter, bold taste herbal liqueur is mainly consumed as an aperitif before meals or a digestif after meals. The company also produces a slighlty different version of the liqueur known as Unicum next, it is made from the same recipe and shares Unicum’s bold character but is slightly less bitter and leaves a hint of citrus finish on the palate.
Unicum is most often served ice-cold, straight up, as a shot. It is also commonly served as a cocktail dubbed the “Mad Hungarian” (an ice-cold Unicum shot dropped into a high-energy drink). The film Sunshine (1999 film) is about the Zwack herbal tonic.
Other Zwack products
Vilmos product family
These are brandies and other alcoholic beverages made from pears.
St. Hubertus product family
St. Hubertus is a traditional, herbal liquor, St. Hubertus 33 gets its name from the 33 different herbs used to make this drink and because it is 33% alcohol. St. Hubertus 33 is marketed more towards younger people, because of its lighter flavor.
Hírös Kecskeméti product family
This product family consists of real palinkas and some spirits that although are made 100% from distilled fruit, they are sweetened with honey, thus they cannot be sold under the label of palinka, so they are marketed under the Hírös Kecsckeméti label. These are a lighter, sweeter, palinka based liquor.
Kalinka product family
Contains one vodka and two vodka based alcoholic beverages. Kalinka Samovar is a 30% drink flavored with honey and tea. Carbonated Kalinka, or "Fény" is a flavored, 21% drink with carbon-dioxide added.
Fütyülős
This product family consists of true fruit brandies, or palinkas, palinkas on a fruit bed as well as palinka based liquors with added honey.
Zwack Sándor Nemes Pálinka Család
The noble palinka family concsisting of genuine fruit palinkas.
The exhibition follows the Zwack family through six generations. The Museum also houses a collection of 15.000 miniature bottles which may well be the largest in Europe. Individual visitors are welcome from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. For groups there are guided tours in English or Hungarian by appointment
Address: 1095 Budapest, Soroksári út 26. (Entrance from Dandár utca) Phone: + 36 1 476-2383