Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, CP reviews Jägermeister. Learn about this popular German Schanps as we explore it in detail.
Discover The Liquor Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/spirits/jagermeister
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/formula
Read all about Schnaps (such as Jäger) with our guides:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/schnaps
00:00 Introduction & Overview
Released in 1935, Jägermeister was intended to be a worker's drink and was named after the Reichjägermeister, who was Hermann Göring at the time. However, thanks to the work of Sidney Frank, who ran an American liquor importing company, it became embraced by 1980s American student culture.
Created in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, Jager is technically a Käuterlikör, an herbal liquor that is also part of the schnapps family. It is produced using an undisclosed alcoholic base, steeped with 56 different botanicals, and then aged in oak casks for about a year.
01:30 Robe
Jagermeister is very dark with a sort of reddish hue. It's residue is quite sticky which highlights the level of additives likely to include sugars and caramel colorings. The legs are thin and fast and run down the sides of the glass.
02:21 Nose
The nose is distinctively mentholated with notes of fennel, cloves, cinnamon, and anise. The botanicals are very rich, as is the herbaceousness and the spices. Overall, it's very strong.
02:52 Palate
Jägermeister is not a drink to have at room temperature but rather it should be freezer-chilled. Even the brand recommends this. The alcohol bloom is quite strong and the lower the temperature, the less noticeable this is.
The primary flavor is sweet with an oily mouthfeel; it opens with notes of ginger, cinnamon, and anise. These slowly fade to reveal its heart of fennel, clove, and some orange peel, before evolving into a finish of licorice, vanilla, and sweet caramel. Complexity isn't really Jägermeister's strong suit, although there is a diversity of flavor.
The texture is overall quite smooth and heavy on the palate. Although you have an interesting journey of notes, it doesn't have the complex chords that you would expect.
On versatility - this is quite a limited drink. You won't be able to drink it in many different ways for different occasions. It is likely best suited for casual evenings.
04:44 Experience
In terms of the presentation, the distinctive label and the green pressed-glass bottle have barely changed since it was created. The packaging is non-existent and in terms of cork quality, you're looking at a metal screw cap.
05:22 Cocktail & Pairing Options
In terms of cocktails, Jägermeister options tend to be intended to get you inebriated. For instance, a popular option is the Jägerbomb, which is basically Red Bull and Jägermeister. There are others like Liquid Heroin, the Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse, Surfer On Acid, and Starry Night, which are about as sophisticated as they sound.
Other ways of enjoying Jägermeister around a meal include having it chilled with some cured ham or perhaps roasted lamb. You could also consider using it to cook, such as by marinating a leg of lamb or a lamb shank.
When it comes to cigars, consider more spicy cigars that are going to have a rich and bold character such as the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro or a Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown.
07:49 Final Thoughts
There tends not to be an in-between with Jager, you either love it or hate it, though it is a drink that is renowned and for good reason. If you are somebody who enjoys herbaceous flavors, for example like Scandinavian Aquavit, which is sometimes barrel-aged and uses lots of herbs and spices, then perhaps Jägermeister is going to be something that you'd enjoy. Conversely, if you like Jägermeister, consider also exploring some Scandinavian Aquavits. They're going to give you perhaps more complexity and a more artisanal approach to this type of beverage.
Already tried Jägermeister or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
CONNECT:
Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
Twitter: Twitter.com/BespokeUnit
Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter
In this video, CP reviews Jägermeister. Learn about this popular German Schanps as we explore it in detail.
Discover The Liquor Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/spirits/jagermeister
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/formula
Read all about Schnaps (such as Jäger) with our guides:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/schnaps
00:00 Introduction & Overview
Released in 1935, Jägermeister was intended to be a worker's drink and was named after the Reichjägermeister, who was Hermann Göring at the time. However, thanks to the work of Sidney Frank, who ran an American liquor importing company, it became embraced by 1980s American student culture.
Created in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, Jager is technically a Käuterlikör, an herbal liquor that is also part of the schnapps family. It is produced using an undisclosed alcoholic base, steeped with 56 different botanicals, and then aged in oak casks for about a year.
01:30 Robe
Jagermeister is very dark with a sort of reddish hue. It's residue is quite sticky which highlights the level of additives likely to include sugars and caramel colorings. The legs are thin and fast and run down the sides of the glass.
02:21 Nose
The nose is distinctively mentholated with notes of fennel, cloves, cinnamon, and anise. The botanicals are very rich, as is the herbaceousness and the spices. Overall, it's very strong.
02:52 Palate
Jägermeister is not a drink to have at room temperature but rather it should be freezer-chilled. Even the brand recommends this. The alcohol bloom is quite strong and the lower the temperature, the less noticeable this is.
The primary flavor is sweet with an oily mouthfeel; it opens with notes of ginger, cinnamon, and anise. These slowly fade to reveal its heart of fennel, clove, and some orange peel, before evolving into a finish of licorice, vanilla, and sweet caramel. Complexity isn't really Jägermeister's strong suit, although there is a diversity of flavor.
The texture is overall quite smooth and heavy on the palate. Although you have an interesting journey of notes, it doesn't have the complex chords that you would expect.
On versatility - this is quite a limited drink. You won't be able to drink it in many different ways for different occasions. It is likely best suited for casual evenings.
04:44 Experience
In terms of the presentation, the distinctive label and the green pressed-glass bottle have barely changed since it was created. The packaging is non-existent and in terms of cork quality, you're looking at a metal screw cap.
05:22 Cocktail & Pairing Options
In terms of cocktails, Jägermeister options tend to be intended to get you inebriated. For instance, a popular option is the Jägerbomb, which is basically Red Bull and Jägermeister. There are others like Liquid Heroin, the Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse, Surfer On Acid, and Starry Night, which are about as sophisticated as they sound.
Other ways of enjoying Jägermeister around a meal include having it chilled with some cured ham or perhaps roasted lamb. You could also consider using it to cook, such as by marinating a leg of lamb or a lamb shank.
When it comes to cigars, consider more spicy cigars that are going to have a rich and bold character such as the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro or a Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown.
07:49 Final Thoughts
There tends not to be an in-between with Jager, you either love it or hate it, though it is a drink that is renowned and for good reason. If you are somebody who enjoys herbaceous flavors, for example like Scandinavian Aquavit, which is sometimes barrel-aged and uses lots of herbs and spices, then perhaps Jägermeister is going to be something that you'd enjoy. Conversely, if you like Jägermeister, consider also exploring some Scandinavian Aquavits. They're going to give you perhaps more complexity and a more artisanal approach to this type of beverage.
Already tried Jägermeister or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
CONNECT:
Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
Twitter: Twitter.com/BespokeUnit
Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter
