Is Jagermeister A Whiskey Or Not? Resolved (2023 Updated)
Last Updated on September 6, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Jagermeister is a popular after-dinner digestion aid, and it is a well-recognized boozy classic poured in bars as cold shots. It has an intriguing history, digestive kindness, and nuanced flavors everyone loves or hates.
But is Jagermeister a whiskey?
Let’s take a look at the polarizing flavors and muddied history of Jagermeister to get the answer. Read on.
Jagermeister: Whiskey Or Not?
Jagermeister is not a whiskey but a digestif herbal liqueur. It has a low alcohol content and is usually consumed after a meal as a digestion aid.
Based on Men’s Journal, Jagermeister is known for its complicated 56 ingredients and strong flavor.
Jagermeister has been around since 1934, and its name is German for “master hunter.”
The patron Saint of Hunters inspired the logo – a stag with a cross between its antlers.
What Makes Jagermeister NOT A Whiskey
Alcohol Content
Jagermeister contains 35% alcohol by volume (70 proof), which is lower than other distilled spirits like whiskey, rum, and vodka.
Most whiskeys contain at least 40% alcohol content, but since Jagermeister is not high in alcohol, it is a liqueur.
Based on Bols Bartending Academy, Jagermeister contains added sugar and is infused with different herbs, cream, and nuts.
It may be on the strong end among other liqueurs, but it is not high enough to be considered a whiskey.
How It’s Made
Jagermeister is rumored to be made from deer blood. However, the brand responded that it was a long-held myth and did not contain any animal blood.
Each dry ingredient is soaked in separate batches with a 70% alcohol solution. It is then combined, filtered, and stored in wood barrels for a year.
It will then undergo filtration for the second time before being combined with caramel, water, sugar, and alcohol. After that, it will be filtered before bottling.
Raw Ingredients
Jagermeister is a German herbal liqueur made from 56 complicated ingredients closely guarded at the company’s headquarters.
While the 56 herbs are not disclosed, Jagermeister posted some herbs they use for their five distinct notes on their official website.
For sweetness, they use star anise, licorice root, and cinnamon, while for bitterness, the brand uses bitter orange and chiretta.
Moreso, they use orange peel for the fruity flavor profile, ginger and galangal for spicy and earthy notes. Also, they use clove, mace, and cardamom for aromatics and herbs.
Read: What’s Hypnotiq Liqueur?
Jagermeister’s Real Alcohol Type
Jagermeister’s real alcohol type is a liqueur with 35% alcohol content. It is considered a liqueur because it is alcohol flavored with different herbs and spices and added sugar.
In the early days of Curt Mast, he struggled in his vinegar and wine business, so he made a herbal liqueur to improve his business prospects.
Read: Is Cognac An After-Dinner Drink?
What Is A Digestif?
Digestif is an alcoholic drink served after a meal to aid digestion [1]. The word digestif means digestive in French and is derived from the Latin word digestivus.
Digestif is not a dessert drink, but you can enjoy it as one. However, it is less sweet and contains higher alcohol than other dessert cocktails. But what does Jagermeister really taste like?
FAQs
How do you drink Jagermeister?
Jagermeister should be drunk in cold shots and cocktails because the cold temperature accentuates it.
The perfect temperature to enjoy a shot is -18 degrees Celcius, and to achieve this, you should freeze a bottle and use a chilled shot glass.
Is Jagermeister a spirit or a liqueur?
Jagermeister is a liqueur, not a spirit, because it contains low ABV and is flavored with different herbs and spices.
Moreso, based on the official website of Jagermeister, it is a herbal liqueur.
In Conclusion
Jagermeister is a herbal liqueur and not a whiskey. Curt Mast created it in 1878, and while times have changed, the recipe has not.
Jagermeister is made from 56 ingredients, and while it is meant as a digestif, it is now widely consumed as cocktails in bars.
Reference:
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-a-digestif-4160394
