History

Spezialitäten-Brennerei Liebl was founded as one of the first whisky-distilleries in the Bavarian Forest, and in 2006 the cornerstone was laid for the first whisky distillery in the region. Since then Liebl has developed into an award-winning producer of Coillmór Bavarian Single Malt Whisky and a range of other spirits. A central part of the company's identity is their focus on tradition and craftsmanship through all stages of production.

Over the years Liebl has achieved notable prizes and recognition at international competitions such as Destillata and World Spirits Awards, and they have repeatedly carried titles such as World Class Distillery and Distillery of the Year in bronze. Their performance catalog highlights both holistic assessments and individual portfolio achievements within Edelbrand and various whisky editions.

Production / Manufacturing

Liebl describes its production as strongly based on nature and craftsmanship: they use fresh water from mountain springs (Kaitersberg) and allow the raw materials time and space in a carefully chosen aging and cask program. The distillation takes place traditionally in two stages: a 500-liter Rohbrand still and a 200-liter Feinbrand still (double distillation).

The raw materials consist of 100% Bavarian barley malt (summer barley) from Weyermann in Bamberg, 100% peat-malted malt from Scotland, 100% rye malt, as well as a significant share of corn and wheat (80% Straubinger Gaueboden corn and 20% Bavarian wheat malt from Weyermann).

The cask aging includes a broad range of high-quality casks: American white oak (both first and second fill); Sherry casks (Bodega Castilla Rey Fernando de Castilla); Pinot Noir casks; Sauternes casks; Coevo red wine casks; Caberlot and Amarone casks from Italy; Cognac casks; ex-Bourbon casks; as well as Port and other special casks. The distillation follows classical Rohbrand- and Feinbrand procedures with a shared focus on sustainable fruitiness and nuanced tones in the flavor.

Annual production is around 30,000 liters.

Products / Whisky Series

Coillmór Bavarian Single Malt Whisky

This is Bavaria's first Bavarian Single Malt, distilled on smaller pot stills and aged in small barrels scattered around the warehouse. The different editions highlight various finishes and cask combinations and over the years have earned numerous prizes (e.g., World Spirits Awards/Destillata). Their philosophy around Coillmór is evident in the description of a neutral base from 100% Bavarian barley malt and the use of locally sourced water from the Bavarian Forest.

Bayerische Weihnacht (Bavarian Christmas) – Collector's Editions

This collector series consists of annual releases that blend specially selected casks into a unique vintage whisky. For example, releases from 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 often combine different finishes such as Sherry, Oloroso, rum, Jamaican rum and other exotic cask types. Many editions are described with detailed aging periods and specific cask numbers, and some editions also include finishes in Pinot Noir, Ramandolo, and other fruit and dessert wine casks.

Coillmór Corn Whisky – 11 years

A 100% rye-malt-based whisky, aged and balanced in two kinds of casks (American white oak and French Limousin oak) with a refined 11-year development.

Coillmór Rye Whisky – 10 years

A pure rye whisky with intense rye aroma and a rounded finish, continuing Liebl’s focus on pure grain-based whisky in Bavarian style.

Other Coillmór Editions and Finish Categories

Liebl also offers smaller series and single-cask editions such as Bordeaux Single Cask, Sauternes Single Cask, Oloroso Sherry Single Cask, PX Sherry, Amarone Cask, Vino Santo finish, and various combinations like New Generation (a blend of 8-10 year-old whiskies finished in selected casks such as Caberlot, Knipser Spätburgunder, Knipser red wine cask, etc.). Some of these editions are also described with specific cask numbers and bottle counts.

Felix – Sherry Oloroso & Smoke

The Felix edition combines Sherry Oloroso cask and a light smoke/peat notes profile, with alcohol content around 58.3% ABV and a relatively short opening period before it is expected to develop in the glass.

Other notable 10+ year releases

Several 9-12 year-old single malts are highlighted in the portfolio, including Bordeaux Single Cask editions aged in recently used Bordeaux casks, port casks and other fruit and dessert wine casks. There are also editions of Sherry Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez as well as Spätburgunder and Amarone cask finishes as part of the finishing process.

Visits / Experiences

Liebl offers guided tours of their distillery: a tour for 18€ per person, about 45 minutes, where you get a behind-the-scenes look at production and later the opportunity to taste the products at the shop tasting. They also have Brennorama and various hotels/partner collaborations as part of the Liebl experience universe.

Philosophy

Liebl describes its approach as an uncompromising belief in Tradition, Nature, Time, and the pursuit of something truly special. This is reflected in the use of natural raw materials from the Bavarian Forest, slow and controlled aging, and a carefully chosen cask-management system that yields complex and balanced flavor profiles.

Events and Recognitions

Over the years Liebl has received a long list of distinctions at Destillata and World Spirits Awards, including titles such as World Class Distillery and Distillery of the Year in Bronze, as well as several Edelbrenner des Jahres (or corresponding gold/silver-bronze recognitions) and many gold medals since 1992. They also highlight an impressive collection of medals and prizes that underline their position as one of the most respected Edelbrand/Whisky producers in Germany.