R. Jelinek Single Barrel Fernet Heaven Hill Finish Liqueur
R. Jelinek Single Barrel Fernet Heaven Hill Finish Liqueur is a single-barrel Czech fernet from R. Jelínek of Vizovice in Moravia, the family distillery famous for slivovitz since 1894. It is crafted from a secret blend of 14 herbs and roots, then matured six months in a single ex-Heaven Hill bourbon barrel — this bottling is Barrel No. 3, per its label — and bottled at 38% ABV (76 proof) in a 700mL bottle. The bourbon barrel rounds the fernet's bold bitterness with vanilla, caramel and oak, making it one of the most approachable — and most collectible — Czech fernets to reach the US. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- Proof / ABV: 76 proof (38% ABV)
- Size: 700mL
- Barrel: Single barrel No. 3 — ex-Heaven Hill bourbon barrel, matured 6 months
- Botanicals: Secret blend of 14 herbs and roots
- Origin: Rudolf Jelínek Distillery, Vizovice, Czech Republic
A Moravian Fernet, Finished in Kentucky Oak
Rudolf Jelínek has distilled in Vizovice since 1894, in a Moravian town with a distilling tradition far older than the company. Its fernet follows the classic Central European template — a closely guarded recipe of 14 herbs and roots — but this single-barrel edition takes a detour through Kentucky: six months in a barrel that held Heaven Hill bourbon softens the bitter edge and layers American oak sweetness over the herbal core. Compare it with the Italian classics in our liqueurs collection.
Tasting Notes
Bold, aromatic bitter herbs and spice up front, with the bourbon barrel adding vanilla, caramel and oak, a touch of sweetness through the middle and a smooth, lingering finish — the barrel rounds the fernet without taming it.
How to Enjoy
Sip it neat or lightly chilled as an after-dinner digestif, or stir it into a fernet Old Fashioned or a Manhattan variation. More digestifs and bitter liqueurs live across our spirits shelves and the rare and top shelf collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from the regular R. Jelinek Fernet?
The standard Jelínek Fernet is the house bottling. This Single Barrel edition was matured six months in one ex-Heaven Hill bourbon barrel — Barrel No. 3 — which adds vanilla, caramel and oak to the 14-herb recipe.
Where is it made?
At the Rudolf Jelínek Distillery in Vizovice, Moravia, Czech Republic, where the family has distilled since 1894. Only the finishing barrel is American — ex-Heaven Hill bourbon oak from Kentucky.
How strong is it?
38% ABV (76 proof), in a 700mL bottle.
Pick up Barrel No. 3 at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — Czech herbs, Kentucky oak, one barrel.