Unicum Roasted Chestnut: A New Seasonal Taste to Discover in Budapest
Roasted chestnuts, festive flavours and a distinctly Hungarian herbal liqueur: Zwack’s latest release brings them together in a bottle made for the colder months. Called Unicum Roasted Chestnut, or Unicum Sült Gesztenye on the label, the new drink is the brand’s first edition created specifically for the autumn and winter season. If you’re visiting Budapest towards the end of the year, it offers a seasonal twist on one of Hungary’s best-known drinks.
Inspired by the atmosphere of Christmas markets and the characteristic flavour of roasted chestnuts, this limited edition pairs Unicum’s herbal base with chestnut extract and an extra stage of barrel ageing. It is scheduled to be available between October and December, while stocks last.
What Does Unicum Roasted Chestnut Taste Like?
The new edition keeps Unicum’s herbal character at its heart, adding roasted chestnut notes rather than taking the drink in an entirely different direction. Zwack describes a combination of herbal, smoky and toasted flavours, with honeyed, nutty aromas and a silky texture. These are the producer’s tasting notes, so think of them as a guide to what you might notice rather than a promise that everyone will taste exactly the same thing.
For travellers curious about Hungarian drinks, the appeal is the seasonal pairing: a familiar local brand interpreted through flavours associated with chilly afternoons and festive gatherings. It is still an alcoholic herbal liqueur, though, rather than a sweet chestnut dessert in liquid form.
Two Types of Barrel Give It Its Character
The chestnut connection goes beyond the extract. After its traditional resting period in oak barrels, the liqueur spends a further stage ageing in toasted chestnut-wood barrels. This two-step process is central to the new edition’s character, adding depth to the herbal base and reinforcing its roasted notes.
According to Zwack, heating the chestnut wood changes its naturally occurring sugars and tannins, helping develop the toasted, honeyed and nutty aromas described in the finished drink. In other words, the barrel is part of the flavour story, not simply a container.
The barrels come from the Italian Garbelotto family’s workshop, where barrel-making expertise has been passed down through eight generations. It is a fitting collaboration for Zwack, another business whose identity is closely tied to family tradition.
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A First for the Historic Unicum Brand
Despite more than 230 years of history, this is the first time Zwack has introduced an Unicum edition designed specifically around a particular season. Sándor Zwack, chairman of Zwack Unicum’s board, presented the launch as a new direction for the brand: a release shaped around the flavours and atmosphere of autumn and winter.
That makes the chestnut edition more than another variation on the original. Its limited availability is part of the concept, giving visitors a chance to discover something tied to the time of year they are in Budapest.
Where and When to Buy It in Budapest
According to the announced retail schedule, Unicum Roasted Chestnut will be available from October 22, 2026, at the Zwack Factory Shop and Lidl stores. From October 29, distribution is due to expand to hypermarkets and drinks wholesalers.
The seasonal release is intended to remain on sale through December, but only while stocks last. If you are visiting Budapest during that period and want a bottle, availability may vary between shops. The edition comes in a 0.7-litre bottle with seasonal packaging, making it a possible souvenir for an adult who enjoys herbal liqueurs or trying unusual local drinks.
Look for the Hungarian name, Unicum Sült Gesztenye, when browsing the shelves. “Sült gesztenye” means “roasted chestnut”—the key words that distinguish this edition from the rest of the range.
How to Serve Unicum Roasted Chestnut
Zwack recommends serving the liqueur at room temperature in a shot glass so its herbal, smoky and roasted chestnut notes can unfold. Although the suggested glass is small, there is no need to rush it: taking small sips gives you time to explore the different flavours.
The drink has an alcohol content of 30%, so it is worth approaching it as a spirit-strength liqueur rather than a light festive drink. For adult visitors looking for a seasonal Hungarian tasting experience, its combination of herbs, toasted wood and chestnut offers a distinctive way to mark an autumn or winter stay in Budapest.
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