Second Festival of German Whisky celebrated at Burg Scharfenstein

Petra Milde |

29 German whisky distilleries presented their products

 

In fantastic weather and in a relaxed atmosphere, numerous visitors joined the Festival of German Whisky at Burg Scharfenstein near Leinefelde-Worbis in Thuringia on 29 and 30 April 2023. The festival took place for the second time and attracted significantly more visitors this year, reports the press release of the Verband Deutscher Whiskybrenner VDW (Association of German Whisky Distillers), which organised the festival in cooperation with Bernd Ehbrecht, the manager of the castle.

29 whisky distilleries presented themselves and their products in the impressive rooms of the high medieval castle. A wide range of grain whisky, wheat and single malt could be tasted. Whether peated or unpeated, whether in ex-bourbon or sherry casks, whether matured in oak, cherry wood or chestnut - the distilleries presented the diversity of the German whisky scene. Supplementary tastings offered the opportunity to delve deeper into various topics and enjoy special whisky editions.

To round off the whisky fair, the Weyermann Spezialmalze company from Bamberg presented different malts as the the raw material for whisky, the Tappert glassblowing company from Illmenau made whisky glasses on site, a leather manufactory presented its craft and friends of cigars did not miss out either. Culinary supplies were provided by the "Ringmauer", the restaurant at Burg Scharfenstein.

A class reunion of distilling and craftsmanship

VDW President Michaela Habbel said: "Once again, I found the festival to be a class reunion of distilling and craftsmanship. But not only as a place for exchanging ideas with each other, but above all for exchanging ideas with an incredibly knowledgeable audience that is enthusiastic about German whisky. It's great that after almost a decade, such a huge attraction has arisen around German whisky and almost a cult has developed from it.
Today, fans are not only interested in the product, but also in the production methods and the people behind the whiskies. The atmosphere during the festival was consistently positive and friendly. It was also nice that many visitors from the region took part, and so perhaps many new people could be inspired for German whisky."

Those who don't want to miss the next Festival of German Whisky should already mark the first weekend in May 2024 in their calendars. That's when the VDW invites you to Bavaria: The host will be the Schraml Distillery in Erbendorf, whose Stonewood Whisky is certainly familiar to many fans of German whisky.

Exhibitors at the 2nd Festival of German Whisky were

Baden-Württemberg

  • Bellerhof Brennerei, Owen
  • Brennerei Betz GmbH, Waldstetten
  • finch® Whiskydestillerie, Heroldstatt
  • Brigantia® – 1. Bodensee Whisky-Destillerie, Kressbronn am Bodensee
  • Farny Destillerie – Edelweissbrauerei Farny Kißlegg, Kißlegg
  • Kinzigbrennerei Martin Brosamer, Biberach
  • Tecker Whisky-Destillerie Immanuel Gruel, Owen

Bayern

Brandenburg

  • Grumsiner Brennerei G.m.b.H., Angermünde

Hessen

  • Brennerei Henrich – Holger & Ralf Henrich GbR, Kriftel
  • Brennerei Höhler, Aarbergen

Niedersachsen

  • Hardenberg Distillery, Nörten-Hardenberg
  • The Lübbehusen Malt Distillery, Emstek

Nordrhein-Westfalen

  • Destillerie & Brennerei Heinrich Habbel Liqueur Manufactur / Hillock Park Distillery, Sprockhövel
  • Gutsbrennerei Joh. B. Geuting e.K., Bocholt
  • Märkische Spezialitätenbrennerei KG, Hagen
  • Pittermanns Brauerei & Destillerie GmbH, Köln
  • Thousand Mountains – German Whisky Distillery, Rüthen

Rheinland-Pfalz

  • Birkenhof Brennerei GmbH, Nistertal
  • Palatinatus Whisky Destillerie Thomas Sippel, Weisenheim am Berg

Sachsen-Anhalt

  • Zeitzer Whisky Manufaktur, Zeitz

Schleswig-Holstein

  • Dolleruper Destille, Dollerup
  • Thüringen Number Nine Spirituosen-Manufaktur GmbH, Leinefelde-Worbis

 

Images: Verband Deutscher Whiskybrenner

About the author Petra Milde

Petra Milde is a freelance author of books and specialist writing about spirits and food. She has been supporting the Whisky.de editorial team since 2015 and creates informative and entertaining articles in the news section.

Besides her writing work, she moderates tastings and can be met at spirits fairs, both behind the stands and in front of them, looking for new products and interesting people to talk to.

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