Are you a Discerning Drinker?
Join thousands of like-minded professionals and cocktail enthusiasts, receive our weekly newsletters and see pages produced by our community for fellow Discerning Drinkers.
Forum
Archibald's Last Memory
This drink is so spirituous that it may have finished Archibald off, but at least his last drink was a proper sharpener. Then again, the perceived health-giving...
Troy
13th August at 02:50
I have a soft spot for bitter cocktails—and Fernet is right at the top of my list. Archibald’s Last Memory doesn’t hold back: even with a hefty two ounces of rye (I swapped in Kentucky straight bourbon), the Fernet takes center stage. Pairing it with an equal measure of Benedictine adds a rich, herbal sweetness that leans medicinal—in the most delightful way. Complex, assertive, and unforgettable—just like the name suggests.
13th August at 04:46
Do check out Midnight Stinger if you haven't already. Love the Fernet.
9th May at 22:33
Fernet is fairly dominant (at least with Wild Turkey 101 Rye), so you must like Fernet and be in the mood for that... I'm curious to try it with less Fernet to see if I can get a better balance of all of the ingredients.
12th April at 01:37
Such an interesting experience, this drink. I grew to love it as I drank it. Daryn’s comment below about Autumn resonates.
12th April at 05:44
Agreed! I've tagged Archibalds Last Memory as an autumnal cocktail.
25th October 2024 at 16:29
Fascinating how strongly this drink makes the flavours come in waves.
15th September 2024 at 21:30
Used my smoker and let it sit for 3 minutes, quite a nice late summer/ early autumn evening drink.
21st May 2024 at 23:15
Accidentally poured ¼ oz Luxardo, really loved it!
13th April 2024 at 02:14
I use Alberta Premium 100% Rye Cask Strength 63.5ABB. The rest is the same. Very boozy I know, still put a big cube of ice, I love the kick and complexity of flavours.
11th January 2024 at 20:33
Branca Menta will take this over, but not to its detriment... Excellent blend of brands but, aside from the menthol-rye bulge, it's indistinct... Too much of this is spectacular though, and the drink is damn near beyond retooling, if I may say so.
21st January 2024 at 05:49
What?
23rd December 2023 at 11:26
This is one of my new favorites. Came across the recipe on Diffords looking for drinks to use my Fernet. It is potent though, sip & enjoy
13th December 2023 at 00:44
Didn't have Marachino, so I substituted Amaretto to try to mimic the splash of sweet/nutty flavor. Served over a large ice cube, it be my new favorite drink.
1st April 2023 at 10:04
I took the risk and made it to the recipe, but to be honest I prefer my half-rye half-brandy variation. But it might only be me.
4th February 2023 at 23:37
This is an excellent drink, with the Luxardo Maraschino really adding a unique touch that ties it all together. You also have that flavor of Benedictine complimenting the Fernet. This is one of the top 10 cocktails that I've made from this site so far. A few other favorites to show where my tastes lean:
- The Italian Job
- Bastille
- Barney Barnato
- Gen'tonique
- Vieux Carre
- The Italian Job
- Bastille
- Barney Barnato
- Gen'tonique
- Vieux Carre
28th January 2023 at 00:52
First drink ever made with fernet branca. Loved all the other ingredients and then the fernet branca comes in beautifully. New favorite.
12th October 2022 at 11:30
I’m not a big fan of rye on its own so I subbed out half for French XO brandy. It’s boozy, but in a good way. Maybe next time I will take the risk and make it to the recipe.
11th March 2022 at 02:46
Wow! This is a keeper! What a blend of spirits! I enjoyed it straight up in a chilled Nick and Nora glass…opened my first bottle of Rittenhouse on this one!
22nd February 2022 at 01:11
This is great. Yes, it is not for the meek or weak. We found it great. Good flavour from the Rye, and great herbal hints. Did serve it over ice, as suggested. This made it easier to drink, but still very spirt forward. Had our aperitif and it helped in getting us ready for a good spicy dinner.
22nd February 2022 at 01:24
We did use a Rye from California called Rip Tide. It is cask strength at 119 proof. It is made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It is very smooth.
18th November 2021 at 23:33
10 for "Boozy" / "spirituous" is an understatement! Paraphrasing guitarist Nigel Tufnel in the movie "Spinal Tap" I would score "this is an eleven". You are absolutely correct, this benefitted from serving on the rocks. Much more enjoyable as the ice diluted the drink.
18th November 2021 at 23:35
Apologies for my comment; Chris Colvin beat me to it!
23rd August 2021 at 18:36
Can we turn the boozy-ometer up to 11!
18th November 2021 at 23:34
You are so correct! I don't know how I missed your comment before I posted my own.
20th February 2021 at 15:27
Any idea about the origin of this drink? I've not been able to find anything about it online. Something about it feels to me more like a modern invention rather than a vintage drink
21st February 2021 at 09:55
As far as I'm aware it's a modern cocktail. I've no notes as to its origin but I first came across it in 2019 as that's when I added it to my database.
21st August 2020 at 12:48
I did not have the Bendictine, so I made a version of this with PX Sherry for a less herbal drink. The raisiny flavors of the PX go well with the Fernet and spicy Rye.
9th August 2020 at 02:44
Hearty agreement on the ice. A big chunk like an Old Fashioned really takes the edge off in a good way. I prefer a cherry (or two) as a garnish.
6th April 2020 at 21:56
Tasty and quite delicious. Hopefully, a real relieve for the stomach, too.