Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters 5OZ

Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters 5oz is a cinnamon-forward aromatic bitters made with real angostura bark, gentian root, and citrus oils by Rochester, New York's Fee Brothers. At 17.5% ABV, this 5oz bottle stands apart as one of the only commercially available bitters in the United States that uses genuine angostura bark as a primary bittering and flavoring component. That distinction gives it a warmer, spicier profile than many competing aromatic bitters, making it a go-to dash bottle for classic cocktail builds.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Cinnamon and allspice dominate the nose immediately, followed by layers of warm cassia bark and cardamom. A subtle bitter zest from angostura bark and gentian root grounds the sweeter spice tones.

Taste: The entry is noticeably sweet, with caramel and cinnamon hitting the palate first. Mid-palate, gentian root and clove emerge, adding herbal depth and moderate bitterness. The peak brings a well-balanced interplay of sassafras sweetness and aromatic bark spice without overwhelming heat.

Finish: The finish is relatively short but clean, letting the warm spice and gentle bitterness fade evenly. Lingering cinnamon and a faint caramel sweetness stay behind without coating the palate.

How to Drink Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters:

As the name suggests, these bitters were formulated specifically for the Old Fashioned — two to three dashes with bourbon or rye, a sugar cube, and an orange peel yield a spicier, more complex version of the classic. They also work exceptionally well in a Manhattan, where the cinnamon-forward profile complements the sweet vermouth rather than competing with it. In a Whiskey Sour, a single dash adds aromatic depth to the citrus and sweetener. Try them in a Toronto cocktail alongside Fernet-Branca, where the warm spice layers beautifully with the amaro's menthol notes.

Best For:

• Home bartenders building a versatile bitters collection
• Upgrading bourbon-based cocktails with a warmer spice character
• Side-by-side comparisons with Angostura to explore flavor differences
• Holiday entertaining where cinnamon and allspice complement seasonal drinks

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters taste like? Sweet and aromatic with prominent cinnamon, caramel, and allspice balanced by gentian root bitterness. The overall impression is warmer and spicier than many standard aromatic bitters.

How does Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters compare to Angostura bitters? Fee Brothers is slightly sweeter and noticeably more cinnamon-forward, while Angostura leans toward a drier, more herbaceous profile with less prominent individual spice notes. Both are aromatic bitters, but Fee Brothers uses actual angostura bark — an ingredient that Angostura brand bitters, despite the name, does not list among its known ingredients.

Is Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters good for beginners? Yes — the balanced sweetness and recognizable cinnamon and allspice notes make it approachable for anyone learning to use bitters. It pairs intuitively with bourbon and rye without requiring advanced cocktail knowledge.

Where is Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters made? Fee Brothers produces this bitters at their facility in Rochester, New York. The company has been operating continuously since 1864, making it one of the oldest bitters producers in the United States.

What foods pair well with Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters? Add a few dashes to complement grilled stone fruits, spiced pecan desserts, dark chocolate truffles, maple-glazed pork belly, or warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Why Buy Fee Brothers?

Fee Brothers has been producing cocktail ingredients in Rochester, New York since 1864 — a span of over 160 years of continuous operation. The company remains family-owned and is now in its fourth generation. Their Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters is one of the few products on the American market made with real angostura bark, giving bartenders an ingredient rooted in pre-Prohibition cocktail tradition. Fee Brothers produces over 90 flavors of bitters and mixers, establishing them as one of the most comprehensive cocktail ingredient manufacturers in the country.