By Krisztina Géczi
Dark, bitter, and shrouded in secrecy, Zwack Unicum is the mysterious elixir that has come to symbolize Hungary itself. At the first sip, you are met with a quite strong and unexpected taste, a fusion of precisely picked unique flavors. Few stories embody Hungarian pride quite like that of the Zwack family and their legendary company. Hence, the Student Advisory Council (SAC) could not miss the generous opportunity offered by the Zwack family to organize a program at the House of Unicum, showcasing Hungary’s remarkable achievements to international students. Special thanks go to the distinguished McDaniel alumnus Sándor Zwack, heir and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the legendary Zwack Unicum, for making this trip possible.
The story of Unicum began in 1790, when Dr. József Zwack presented his unique herbal remedy to Habsburg Emperor Joseph II. Although it has early medicinal roots, created as a digestive aid, Unicum has grown to be Central Europe’s leading distillery. The Zwack Company was founded in 1840 by József Zwack and, in 1892, moved to its present headquarters on the banks of the Danube in Ferencváros, Budapest. The story is one of survival. In 1944, during the Second World War, the Zwack distillery was bombed four times. Later, under communist rule, its production was nationalized. During these years, the Zwack family lived in exile in the United States, while the state-owned version of the brand continued producing Unicum using a falsified recipe. However, the family’s determination remained strong, and they found ways to prosper despite political repression. Starting from scratch in Italy, they rebuilt production on a smaller scale and, as mentioned at the House of Unicum, went “door to door to promote it”, said Péter Zwack. In 1987, Unicum was brought back to Hungary, and interestingly, for a short period, two types of Unicum existed on the market: state-made versus the family’s.
Today, Sándor and Isabella, children of Péter Zwack, both play a very active role in the company. They travel extensively as Unicum Global Brand Ambassadors in charge of establishing new markets. Unicum is exported all over the world and is particularly strong in Italy, Germany, and our neighboring countries. Remarkably, a six-generation family transformed a Hungarian tradition into an international brand born in the heart of Europe.
The family recipe — a blend of more than 40 herbs and spices — remains a closely guarded secret. Only a few family members know the complete formula, and just seven people handle the actual production of Unicum. The rest of the staff work with numbered codes that guide the process and sequence of creating the bitter. Our tour guide, Levente Laknerfi, shared with us some of the details that are revealed to the public. For example, the majority of the herbs are from Hungary, and there is a specific mix of herbs from Italy that only three people know in the whole world. Incomparably, production remains faithful to tradition even in modern facilities. Unicum is aged for six months in oak barrels that are never replaced, unlike wine barrels, which must be changed over time. Due to growth and expansion, the bottling takes place in Dunaharaszti, 30 minutes from Budapest. The alcohol has an instantly recognizable round, black bottle with a red cross in the middle. Unicum’s flavor is intense and unapologetic, a bitter symphony that is not for the faint of heart. Its bold flavor is unlike anything else and commands attention from the very first sip. When I first tried it, it reminded me of medicine, but the more I engaged with it, the more I realized it was something entirely unique. As of right now, there are 6 different types of Unicum: Original, Plum, Barista, Orange, Riserva, and Trezor. The McDaniel group was fortunate enough to try five out of the six varieties straight from the barrels. Without a doubt, my favorite is the Barista, with its 100% arabica coffee, which has a strong taste and smell however low caffeine level. Aged for ten years, the Unicum Trezor saw its first bottle sold only last year, in 2024, with a limited number of bottles priced at approximately Ft. 60,000 each.
Zwack Unicum is more than just a bitter herbal liqueur; it is a symbol of Hungary’s cultural pride and enduring tradition. Its presence in Hungarian homes, bars, and celebrations reflects a legacy that has been carefully preserved for generations. Every sip tells a story of resilience, of a family that overcame war, exile, and political upheaval to safeguard a secret recipe. To try Unicum is to taste not only a unique and complex flavor but also a piece of Hungary’s national identity, a testament to timeless craftsmanship and the enduring spirit of a nation. Unicum carries the taste of Hungarian history.
Photos by Krisztina Géczi & Levente Laknerfi
