Top 6 Swiss Fruit Brandies

Williamine is a fruit brandy distilled from locally grown Williams pears. It is produced in Martigny, Valais, and the name has been protected by Morand distillery since 1953. A highly-prized version comes with the whole pear inside the bottle. Williamine is a clear and transparent spirit with intense fruity aromas and flavors reminiscent of ripe pears. It is bottled at 43% ABV. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif, but it can also be incorporated into cocktails or long drinks. Expand

Abricotine is a clear, colorless fruit brandy that is characterized by its dominant apricot flavor and subtle almond nuances. It is distilled from pitted and fermented Luizet apricots that are cultivated in the Valais area and are especially suitable for distillation. The final distillate is cut with water to achieve the desired 40% ABV. Abricotine is best appreciated as a digestif, preferably served neat and well-chilled, but it also incorporates well in cocktails and desserts.Expand

Poire Williams is a type of eau-de-vie (fruit brandy) that is distilled from fermented Williams pears. The production of this clear and colorless spirit is mostly associated with France, Switzerland, and Germany. The drink is often sold with a whole pear inside the bottle—this is achieved by attaching the bottle to a branch with a small pear. The fruit is tucked inside and then allowed to grow inside the bottle. When it’s ripe, the fruit is cut off, and the distilled spirit is then poured inside. This brandy is usually of high quality, with clean and crisp flavor and ripe pear aromas. It is traditionally enjoyed as a digestif. Expand

Damassine is a Swiss plum brandy that is traditionally produced in the Canton of Jura. It is distilled from fermented damson (damassine) plums. These small red plums are cultivated across Europe, but their origin still remains unclear. The brandy is clear and colorless, with a strong cherry aroma and subtle herbaceous and almond notes. Damassine holds a protected AOP (PDO) status, and the entire production must take place in the designated area. When distilled, the brandy can only be mixed with regional water to reach the desired 40% ABV. It has to be aged for a minimum of six months. This potent and aromatic brandy is served at room temperature, and it is best enjoyed as a digestif. Expand

This clear, colorless fruit brandy is distilled from ripe, locally grown cherries, and it can be produced in the entire canton of Zug as well as several municipalities in the canton of Schwyz and Lucerne. Rigi kirsch has a distinctive, intense fruity flavor that is complemented by a subtle bitterness. The drink is usually served neat, but it can also be incorporated into desserts, cheese fondue, coffee, or tea.Expand

This clear, colorless fruit brandy is produced from fermented Williams pears that are cultivated in Valais. The final distillate is combined with water to reach the desired 40% ABV, and it is then aged for a minimum of six months. This strong spirit is characterized by its intense pear flavor and subtle herbaceous aromas. It is usually enjoyed as a digestif that is best served neat and well-chilled, but it is also incorporated in cocktails and desserts.Expand