Aged for 10 years in oak barrels, followed by months of maturation in French wine brandy casks, the liqueur is marked with the “XO” label, signifying “Extra Old” in cognac production, reflecting the decades-long process that gives it its unique character.
According to the distillery, the aroma features vanilla, tropical spices, and oaky notes from the barrel aging. The flavor combines the complex taste of more than 40 herbs with chocolate notes.
Unicum Trezor XO comes in a unique, square bottle with clear glass showcasing the liqueur’s pure color rather than the signature opaque green round bottle of “regular” Unicum. Each bottle is individually numbered by vintage, and every year will have its unique character, as no two harvests are alike. The herbs’ flavor profile is influenced by the weather when they are picked.
The newcomer is stored in the most secure section of the firm’s Soroksári út cellars, known as the Trezor branch, which only members of the Zwack family can access. The first batch of Unicum set aside for the creation of Trezor XO was put away in 2013. This represents the longest product development in the company’s history and a process that has been kept under wraps for 10 years.
Due to the capacity limitations of the aging area, the production of Unicum Trezor XO is highly limited: only enough Unicum to produce 2,000 to 3,000 bottles per year is available. From the 2013 vintage, just 3,200 bottles were made; in 2024, only 2,000 bottles will be available. The Trezor branch stores 200 bottles from the first batch, and the plaques on these bottles were handwritten by Sándor Zwack, chairman of the board of Zwack Unicum Nyrt. himself.
The company says Unicum Trezor XO is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature, in a cognac glass, allowing the rich aromas of the liqueur to unfold fully. This suggestion is more than just a tip; it’s also a nod to Sándor’s father (and predecessor as chairman), the late Péter Zwack, who drank his Unicum in this way.
“The creation of Unicum Trezor XO is the result of many years of hard work, but for us, it holds an even greater meaning, as it not only embodies the best of tradition and innovation but also expresses the love and respect I have for my father,” Zwack says of the latest creation.
“I am happy and proud that we have succeeded in creating something new that both honors his memory and introduces a true rarity into the world of spirits,” the chairman added.
With the introduction of this liqueur, the company is looking to appeal to collectors of rare spirits and dedicated fans of Unicum and its storied past. Unicum Trezor XO is available exclusively at the House of Unicum store or through the Zwack webshop until Nov. 10 at a cost of HUF 39,990 per bottle.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of October 18, 2024.
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