Fernet-Branca has ruled the world of bitter spirits for over 175 years with its secret recipe, but a new wave of craft distillers is finally challenging its dominance. While born in Italy, Fernet’s true cultural home is Córdoba, Argentina, where it is religiously mixed with Coca-Cola in a "70/30" ratio. This blind tasting of seven bottles aimed to see if the classic "king" could be toppled by modern contenders from Argentina and the UK.

The tasting revealed that while Branca remains the benchmark for its signature minty punch, Argentine challengers offer unique regional twists. Fernet Beney provides a raw, mountain-herb flavor from the Sierras, while Nero 53 offers a smooth, luxury experience. Buhero Negro is a punchy modern version designed specifically for mixing, and Fernet 1882serves as the classic, citrus-heavy rival for mass gatherings in Córdoba.

The most surprising entry was the English-made Britannica London Fernet, which avoids the aggressive "mouthwash" slap of traditional recipes. Instead, it offers a sophisticated, woodsy profile with notes of hazelnut and cacao. Ultimately, the tasting proved that while Fernet-Branca’s crown is safe, the category is expanding into a diverse world of flavors, ranging from rugged mountain herbs to elegant London botanicals.