Fernet Francisco Willett Bourbon Cask
Fernet Francisco Willett Bourbon Cask is a 40% ABV (80-proof), 750mL amaro from the San Francisco Bay Area — the ninth limited release in Fernet Francisco's Cask Edition Series — built on 12 hand-selected Bay Area botanicals and rested six months in freshly emptied Willett bourbon casks. Founders Max Rudsten and Ben Flajnik infuse rhubarb, gentian root, orris root, cardamom, bay leaves, cinnamon, fresh orange peel, peppermint, spearmint, angelica root, German chamomile and one secret ingredient, using minimal cane sugar so the bitterness stays balanced and never syrupy. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Bitter amaro — Cask Edition Series, 9th limited release
- Origin: Macerated and barrel-rested in the San Francisco Bay Area, California; barrels from Willett Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
- Production: 12 hand-selected Bay Area botanicals, minimal cane sugar; 6 months in freshly emptied Willett bourbon casks
A Bay Area Amaro Meets Kentucky Oak
Fernet Francisco started as a love letter to the classic Italian bitter — San Francisco–style, built from local plants and herbs instead of a recipe from a Turin archive. The Cask Edition Series takes that base amaro and gives each release a new wooden home; this one drew barrels from Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, and six months of rest folded sweet bourbon character straight into the botanical core. Among amaro & bitters, it's one of the rare cask-rested examples — the bourbon barrel reads as a real ingredient here, not a garnish.
Tasting Notes
The nose opens with sweet bourbon, rhubarb, cinnamon, clove and fresh orange peels before the palate settles into California bay leaves and the classic fernet bitterness — well-rounded, rich, and dry on the finish with no syrupy weight. The botanicals stay recognizable through the oak, which adds warmth and vanilla-ish depth rather than sweetness.
How to Enjoy
Sip it neat at room temperature to meet the full bitter-botanical profile, or serve chilled as a digestivo after dinner. It also earns a place in the cocktail kit — the bourbon-cask warmth makes it a natural in a Toronto or an amaro-heavy Manhattan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this fernet different from regular Fernet Francisco?
The base amaro — 12 Bay Area botanicals, minimal cane sugar — is the same, but this ninth Cask Edition release was rested six months in freshly emptied Willett bourbon casks, adding sweet bourbon and oak character to the classic bitter profile.
Is this an Italian fernet?
No — Fernet Francisco is made in the San Francisco Bay Area by founders Max Rudsten and Ben Flajnik, in the Italian fernet tradition but with local California botanicals.
How strong is Fernet Francisco Willett Bourbon Cask?
It is 40% ABV (80 proof), 750mL.
Where can I buy Fernet Francisco Willett Bourbon Cask online?
This limited-release 750mL bottle is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor — it ships from San Diego, CA.
For amaro drinkers who want the bitterness with a bourbon-cask backbone, bring home the limited Cask Edition release — available now at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.