History

Origins and Family

Scheibel is a Black Forest distillery that has united a fruit brandy and whisky tradition in Kappelrodeck since 1921. The founder Emil Scheibel was born in 1899 and began as the son of a miller in the family business. In 1921 he established his own distillery in Grünen Winkel (Grüner Winkel 32). Over the years the company became a family business, with both his son Louis and grandson Michael carrying the heritage forward.

Development and Shift in Focus

In 1955 commercial bottle production began and the iconic four-edged bottle for obstbrand and fruit distillers was introduced. In 1986 the number of mill activities was reduced and the focus shifted to obstbrandies and related products. In 2011 Scheibel Whisky Mühle was expanded into a whiskey distillery next to the historic mill, and in 2014 the first whiskeys were distilled and owned by a dedicated distillation unit.

Present and Brand Identity

Today EMILL whiskey is a central part of the Scheibel business, where production combines old handcrafted tradition with modern processes and sustainable elements (hydropower, PV). Since 2018 EMILL has been an integrated part of the market and expanded with numerous vintage editions and special finishes. There is also a strong focus on direct sales through Scheibel Gold-Destille and Whisky Mühle as well as events such as tasting activities and private events.

Production and Philosophy

Scheibel describes its production as a balance between time, craft and innovation. The company motto 'Gutes braucht Zeit' and the description of 103 years of distilling tradition permeate the lines about the range, where craftsmanship and quality come to the fore.

Production / Manufacturing

Distilleries and Process

• EMILL whisky is produced at Scheibel Whisky Mühle beside the historic mill, where the distillation takes place in a pot-still-inspired setup with three hand-hammered copper stills and a swan-neck design.
• Two main stills (Rohbrand and Feinbrand) of 320 L each are used in reviving old artisanal methods, where the heart of the distillation is achieved through a slow two-step distillation before aging.
• After distillation the heart rests for 48 hours in 2,000 L oak pre-aging vessels, after which it is filled into casks and aged across four levels: the cold winter, warm summer and the humid Acher river valley energy swirl – a maturation logic that gives each floor a unique temperature and climate.
• The dedicated whisky mill also uses hydropower from an electric turbine (since 1954) and a 130 kW PV installation for sustainability.

Cask Maturation and Finish

• EMILL maturations vary in finish and cask type, such as Port wine, Cherry-Brandy, Cognac, Sherry, Ex-Cognac, Ex-Sherry, Ex-Rum and other finishes.
• EMILL Fasswerk is described as a single cask, aged in an Acacia cask (Ex Gold-Marille), with 61.1% ABV and 7 years of maturation, limited to 496 bottles.

Products / Whisky Series

EMILL – Single Malt Whisky (core line)

• KRAFTWERK – 58.7% vol, Single Malt Whisky – 5 Jahre – cask strength; notes of caramel, toffee, roasted coffee, malt and dark chocolate; long spicy ginger on the finish.
• STOCKWERK – 46% vol, Single Malt Whisky; naturally mahogany-colored; honey, caramel, coffee, wood smoke and pepper on the finish; mild despite 46% ABV.
• FEINWERK – 42% vol, Single Malt Whisky with Port wine cask finish; notes of dark fruits, vanilla and cocoa; hints of brandy and caramel in the finish.
• ENGELSWERK – 40% vol, pure whisky liqueur (no added flavors); creamy and full-bodied, with notes of sherry, bourbon and almond; light smoke.
• SPIELWERK – 51.7% vol, Single Malt Whisky – 7 years; finish in Marille (2024 edition); a cuvée built from various finishes (beech Norwegian oak, cognac, German oak) and first 3 years in blended casks, then 4 years in cognac casks. Price and limited edition details are given (1,229 bottles).
• KRAFTWERK (Kraftwerk 5 Jahre) – 58.7% ABV, Gold medal winner, aged in Fass strong style; recommended for an evening in a Chesterfield leather chair.
• ZEITWERK – 49.1% vol, Single Malt Whisky, 9 years, finish in Cherry-Brandy; fruity sweetness, almond and caramel, light smoke; long, dry finish.
• FASSWERK – 61.1% vol, Single Cask, 7 years; Acacia-cask, limit: 496 bottles; complexity with dried fruits, coffee, nougat and spices; long, dry finish.

Note: Several of the above variants are described with additional sensory notes and aging details on the product pages.

EMILL – Other products

• FEINWERK (Port wine finish) – see above.
• KRAFTWERK (Kraftwerk 5 Jahre) – see above.
• STOCKWERK – see above.
• SPIELWERK – see above.
• ZEITWERK – see above.
• ENGELSWERK – Whisky liqueur – described as pure whisky liqueur, not a pure whisky.

Alte Zeit (distilled fruit brandies) – non-Whisky products

• Apricot Brandy, Cherry Brandy, Prune Brandy, Mirabelle Brand, Moor-Pear, Williams brandy, Orange Brandy, 56% Cherry, etc. The information includes flavor notes, origin of fruits and recommended serving (typically 16–18 °C). Several of the products are limited editions or permanent in the range (Premium/ PremiumPlus).

Visits and Experiences

Tasting and Guided Tours

Scheibel offers whisky tastings and private tastings at Whisky Mühle and Gold-Destille with included guided tour of the mill and distillery. Some events mention Führung together with tasting, and details about production, cask aging and private cask concepts are presented. Tastings are described variably as private tastings, Weg zur Cuvee, EMILLs Farb- und Aromenwelt and Aromajäger (sensory test for connoisseurs). Prices range from about €29.90 to €79.90 per person, with seating options and cancellation rules specified. Private Tastings and Schatzkammer experiences, including meals and snacks, are also offered.

Private Cask Experiences and Showcases

The company also offers private cask experiences and the private cask concept with different finishes (Cognac, Sherry, Rum or Rauch), where the customer can define the finish and have a personalized experience in EMILL's private storehouse.

Fairs and Events

Scheibel participates in whisky tastings and trade fairs and offers Gipfeltreffen Whisky Dinner and other seasonal events such as Advent calendars and special editions in Schatzkammer.

Philosophy

• Time: Thought-through processes and maintaining detail and quality throughout the chain, from raw materials to finished product.
• Pioneering Spirit – Innovation: continued development with new processes such as Distillation over Gold and Special Editions (SPIELWERK, ZEITWERK, etc.).
• Distillation Tradition – Craft: traditional craftsmanship, copper stills, covering two-stage distillation, and four levels of cask aging in the mill.
• Craft – Everything is handmade: packaging, cork, and final finish are done by hand.
• Sensory Experience – Experience-oriented: focus on sensory experience in both taste and aroma and in presentation (glass design, packaging, bottle finish).

Special Details

• EMILL Whisky is produced in a mill-like distillery with four levels of cask aging in climate zones influenced by winter cold and summer warmth.
• EMILL has received several prizes and medals, including Gold for Kraftwerk (Germany's Best Whisky National 2019) and Gold at the World Spirits Award in 2020.
• A significant focus lies on direct sales to customers through the shop and distillation visuals.

Notes

• This summary is based solely on information from Scheibel Brennerei's website and contains no additional assumptions or external information.