About Us & History

Jan Becher – Karlovarská Becherovka, a. s., is a company with Czech roots, yet global reach. Since 1997, we have been part of the global Pernod Ricard Group, ranking second amongst the world’s wine and spirit producers and distributors. Pernod Ricard offers 240 premium brands of alcoholic beverages in more than 160 countries with a clear ambition to become a leader in the field.

Our company’s flagship, the world-famous herbal liqueur Becherovka Original, has been produced in Karlovy Vary since 1807. At present, it is being exported to more than 40 countries worldwide. In 2020, we launched its premium unfiltered variation, Becherovka Unfiltered, which has gained great popularity, especially amongst younger consumers. The Becherovka family also includes the light herbal liqueur Becherovka Lemond, the premium liqueur Cordial, and the aperitif KV 14, all of which are manufactured in Karlovy Vary as well.

In addition to our own production of herbal liqueurs from the Becherovka family, we distribute more than 40 global premium alcohol brands on the Czech market. These include Ballantine’s, Jameson, Havana Club, Beefeater, Absolut, Chivas Regal, Martell, Olmeca, Malibu, Jacob’s Creek, and other renowned quality spirits.

Company history

The history of Becherovka dates back to the 19th century. The company was founded by the spice and colonial merchant Josef Vitus Becher. For several years, he focused on developing a stomach liqueur based on a recipe left to him by his friend Dr Christian Frobrig, from England. Later in 1807, Josef started selling his medicinal herbal drink with its unmistakable aroma and taste under the name English Bitter.

The popularity of the stomach liqueur with its miraculous herbal power soared. Also, other members of the Becher family contributed to the growth of the company and the fame of Becherovka Original. The most important of them was Jan Becher, who had led the company for almost 40 years and whose signature still adorns each bottle of Becherovka Original. For his extraordinary business skills, he is considered the founder of the brand. In 1867, he had a new, modern factory built where the Becherovka Visitor Centre and the Becherplatz tourist centre in Karlovy Vary can be found today.
While being managed by the family, Becherovka Original has become an iconic Czech product known all over the world. The modern history of Becherovka refers to the success of the Becher family becoming part of the Pernod Ricard Group in 1997. To learn more about our history, please visit www.becherovka.com.

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