History

Birkenhof-Brennerei GmbH is a family-owned distillery that has been practicing the craft of distilling noble brandies since 1848. The family has eight generations of commitment and a strong regional rootedness in the Westerwald. The distillery is regarded as one of the top excursion destinations in northern Rhineland-Palatinate, and around 20,000 visitors visit the site each year. Birkenhof describes itself as a hardworking, creative and uncompromising distillery operation with proud traditions and a passion for (artful) distillation.

Production

• The distillery practices traditional distillation, including a double distillation in a Pot Still, which yields a complex and balanced spirit.
• Maturation takes place in a wide range of high-quality wooden casks, including Bourbon, Sherry (PX, Oloroso, Moscatel), Pinot Noir and Port wine casks.
• Master Distiller plays a central role in selecting casks and in the blending process to achieve the Birkenhof masterpiece.
• In total, about 700-1000 casks are stored in their Warehouse, where different vintages of Fading Hill and other products rest.
• Fading Hill is produced in three dimensions based on grain type and light distillation method: Single Malt Classic, Single Malt Peated and Single Rye Roggenwhisky, with Warehouse Selection as specially selected single-cask releases.
• The products are often enriched with a high alcohol content and are developed through a maintained batch-style approach and careful craftsmanship.

Products and Whisky Series

FADING HILL – German Whisky in Three Dimensions

• Single Malt Classic: Bourbon Cask, Oloroso Cask, PX Cask. Notes: fruity-malty with salted caramel and dark chocolate; typically malt-based and fruity. Aged about 5 years.
• Single Malt Peat Classic: Bourbon Cask, PX Cask, Islay Quarter Casks. Peaty, herbal-peaty character with a malt backbone and chocolate finish; 5 years of aging.
• Single Rye Roggenwhisky Classic: Bourbon Cask, Oloroso-Sherry Cask. Raw and spicy Rye notes with Sherry influence, about 7 years aging.
• Warehouse Selection: special single-cask releases per batch, bottled at cask strength (53% ABV), often as Single Malt or Single Malt Peated. Limited to between 150-200 bottles per batch, and typically 1 Warehouse Selection per year (or two batches). Examples include Pinot Noir Cask (Cask 1080) and Bourbon Cask (Cask 316), both around 8 years, with detailed nosing notes and a price per bottle around €79.50 (for Warehouse Selection) and €56.50-€59.50 for Classic/Peated/Roggen variants.
• Additional releases: 16 STATES – Single Malt distilled at Birkenhof Distillery (1st Fill Port Hogshead Cask, 57.5% ABV). Limited edition (258 bottles).
• Fading Hill-based descriptions and tasting notes appear repeatedly and include notes such as yellow fruits, Mostbirne, Kandeller, dark chocolate, vanilla, caramel and various wood notes.

Birkenhof Master Edition

• LUK: Handcrafted Vintage Korn – a nod to the next generation and an award-winning Korn.
• JON: Handcrafted Rum – a Master Edition-distilled rum, often described as one of the most acclaimed products.
• FADING HILL: German Whisky in three dimensions (as described above), as well as Warehouse Selection and other limited editions.
• Amber: German Whisky Liqueur, based on FADING HILL Rye Whisky aged in Oloroso Sherry cask with honey and vanilla for a complex, sweet dimension.
• Edelbrände and Feine Spirituosen: classic fruit and fruit-brandy products such as Williamsbirne, Marillenbrand, Kirschbrand, Pflaumenbrand, Mirabellenbrand, Vogelbeerbrand, Hefeweissbierbrand, and more. If you want to buy in gift sets or small bottles, there are various Tasting Sets and Faltschachtels offering 0.5 L and 0.2 L bottles.
• Amber and other liqueurs and feine-spirituosen (fruit-based brandied drinks) are also part of the range, often aged in Cognac casks for extra depth.

@Home-Tasting and Other Experiences

• @Home-Tasting Whisky, Gin and Fass-Geheimnisse, where the Master Distillers guide online tasting boards and select 5 treasures from the Birkenhof Warehouse for group/private sessions.
• Different tasting offers exist: Whisky, Gin and Fass-Geheimnisse; duration around 2 hours.
• There are also physical and virtual events and possible booking options via their website.

Visits and Experiences

• Birkenhof is described as one of the best distilleries in Germany and offers an Erlebnis Destillerie, tours, tastings and workshops (Tastings and Workshops).
• The visitor forums and tasting rooms are part of the experience, and there is a tourist and culinary approach to the Westerwald region.
• Gastronomy and gift ideas are also available via the “Gastronomie” portal, which gives gastronomy access to products and materials for the shop.

Philosophy and Recognitions

• Birkenhof strives to “new traditions in old casks” and works with local ingredients and craftsmanship in the Westerwald.
• The products and distillation processes emphasize a balance between region and craft, and they aim to create products that exhibit creativity and high quality.
• Certifications and accolades include Bundesehrenpreis in Gold and gold diplomas from the DLG and other international prize-winners, underscoring their quality level and recognition in the industry.

Information about Experience and Geography

• Birkenhof is located in the Westerwald and has a long tradition and connection to the region.
• Their experience programs include distilling and tastings in their own Warehouse and Master Edition tasting experiences, often accompanied by guided tours and tastings of various products.

Summary

Birkenhof-Brennerei is a traditional German distillery that since 1848 has united the Westerwald regional identity with artisanal distillation. Through the FADING HILL and Birkenhof Master Edition portfolios they produce Single Malt, Rye and Peated whiskies as well as unique single-cask releases and Warehouse Selections. Their philosophy is a blend of tradition and innovation, where master distiller blending and maturation in carefully selected casks create characterful, award-winning products. Their offerings of @Home-Tasting, tours and experiential tastings demonstrate a strong focus on the customer experience and the accessibility of their products through direct sales and the online shop.