540830 Mon Jul 21 09:48:55 -0700 2008 3 36 Spirits 0 3887773 Many years ago I purchased a few bottles in Switzerland and brought them home. At that time it was not available on the states. I am now seeing it in package stores and am wondering if it is the same as in Europe. I thought it had some naughty ingredients that made it illegal over here. It is a great after dinner drink. Mon Jul 21 09:49:02 -0700 2008 183871 drewinmrblhd 1 3887868 Fernet Branca has been available for many years in the U.S. as a digestif. Nothing naughty about it, though to some it tastes of mentholated cough syrup. Martignetti's in the North End always had a nice selction of Amaros to choose from.. not sure now. Mon Jul 21 10:13:26 -0700 2008 3887773 129683 rsucre 1 3887933 Like rsucre said, Fernet Branca has been widely available here in the US for ... well... for as long as I recall. Many, many years. It's a very common amaro and you can get it in many large liquor stores. I agree with rsucre that you can do better than Fernet Branca when it comes to a digestif and or amaro, though. Are you confusing it with absinthe? Mon Jul 21 10:36:29 -0700 2008 3887773 43893 C. Hamster 2 3888183 An Italian friend of mine turned me on to Fernet Branca many years ago. I find it has a remarkable ability to make me feel signficantly less full after a large meal. It is definitely an acquired taste but I like it quite a lot. Here is an excellent article. http://www.sfweekly.com/2005-12-07/news/the-myth-of-fernet/ Mon Jul 21 11:29:37 -0700 2008 3887933 156718 drbangha