Gammel Dansk

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Gammel Dansk is a Danish alcoholic beverage, which can be drunk in the morning with the breakfast meal. Its name translates directly from Danish as "Old Danish".

Gammel Dansk is a bitters and was originally created to become a competitor on the Danish market to other bitters such as Underberg and Fernet Branca. It is brewed with a large number of herbs and spices, making it similar to other stomach bitters, such as Peychaud's Bitters, Campari or Jägermeister. These herbs and spices include rowanberry, angelica, star aniseed, nutmeg, anise, ginger, laurel, gentian, Seville orange and cinnamon.

Gammel Dansk is produced by Danish Distillers Ltd. (De Danske Spritfabrikker A/S) in Dalby, Denmark in southeast Zealand (Sjælland).

[edit] Written on the Bottle

A recently-purchased (near Chicago IL. USA) bottle of Gammel Dansk comes with the following written on the label:

GAMMEL DANSK

100 Liter 38% Alc./Vol.

Neutral spirits, herbs and other natural flavors.

DANISCO DISTILLERS 1411 COPENHAGEN.DENMARK DANISCO A/S PRODUCED IN DENMARK

(Back label):

GAMMEL DANSK is distilled by DANISCO DISTILLERS. The exquisite soft and dry flavor derives from a blend of 29 different herbs and fruits.

Try GAMMEL DANSK neat, with a cup of coffee or with your favorite beer and discover the excitingly different and distinctive taste.

GAMMEL DANSK is served traditionally at room temperature in small glasses for any occasion and at any time throughout the day.

Imported in the U.S. by Munson Shaw Co., Deerfield, IL.

(standard US alcohol warning)

[edit] Trivia

The father of NFL star wide receiver Lee Evans (of the Buffalo Bills) supposedly took a lucky sip of Gammel Dansk before a recent Bills win.

The development of Gammel Dansk commenced in 1961 and was lead by master blender J.K. Asmund who also worked as factory manager for Danish Distillers in Roskilde. Three years later the production of the bitter started, and it has since become one of the most recognizable strong alcoholic beverages on the Danish market.

In 2007 Danish Distillers launched a new product which, as a tribute to J.K. Asmund, was labeled Asmund Special.