History Langatun is the Baumberger family's long-standing tradition in brewing and distilling. According to the company's history, founder Jakob Baumberger completed his training as a brewer in 1857 and founded a distillery, which later passed to his family. The name Langatun is the Celtic version of Langenthal, and the area has long been linked to water as a central ingredient in whiskey production. In 1877 Jakob gained rights to a spring in the forests above Langenthal, and a new pipeline carried the soft water directly to the distillery. Over the years, production was continued and developed by several generations, and in 2014 the whiskey production moved to Kornhaus in Aarwangen, where the company also opened a visitor center. Langatun began marketing its whiskies worldwide in 2017. The most recent era in the history outlines changes in ownership and the continued family heritage, while the distillery continues to emphasize its long tradition and the use of the pure water from Langenthal, as well as secret recipes and methods that are handed down to a select few employees.

Production / Manufacturing Langatun places a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and natural ingredients. The whiskies are produced as 100% malted barley whisky, made with selected yeast and high-quality European barley, which gives a deep, fruity, and herbaceous aroma early in fermentation. Distillation takes place in copper stills through a time-consuming double distillation, yielding a soft, malty, and dense character. The water comes from the historic Langenthal spring and is described as important to the final taste. Maturation takes place in different cask types, including sherry and Chardonnay casks, which add complexity and a pleasant aftertaste. Langatun also offers organically produced whiskies; Old Woodpecker, for example, is produced from barley grown under controlled organic cultivation and matures in Chardonnay casks. The processes are described as a blend of traditional methods and secret recipes that give Langatun whisky a distinctive, soft, and complex character. In addition to malt whiskies, the range also includes cigar malt blends and various finish casks such as Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, and Cruz de Alba, as well as cask-finish and cask-strength variants. Langatun also lists specific products such as Old Deer (classic single malt), Old Crow (peated/smoked), Old Wolf (peaty/smoked), Old Bear (smoky), Old Woodpecker (organic) and a number of other special editions and limited editions.

Products / Whisky Series

Langatun Heritage Line

• Old Deer: 100% malted barley; matured in sherry and Chardonnay casks; described as classic, lightly fruity, and malty. The distillation method is double distillation.
• Old Crow: peated/smoked malt, dried over peat and then matured; sweet smoke notes in aroma and palate.
• Old Wolf: another peated variant with a balance between fruit and smoke, blended from different casks (including sherry) and matured in oak casks where red wine had previously been stored.
• Old Bear: smoky, 100% barley malt, with smoky flavor and a wine-influenced finish; positioned as a powerful, aromatic smoked whisky.
• Old Woodpecker: organically grown barley, 100% organic malt, matured in Chardonnay casks and highlighted by a fresh fruity profile.

Other whisky products in the range

• Cigar Malt: a blend of Chardonnay and Sherry Fino finishes, developed to create a good balance for cigar enthusiasts.
• 15y Vintage Reserve: single cask bottling distilled in 2010, matured in Pinot Noir red wine casks for about 15 years; limited quantity (266 bottles).
• Nero d’Avola Cask Finish: after maturation in Chardonnay casks finished in Sicilian Nero d’Avola red wine casks.
• Nerello Mascalese Cask Finish: finished in Nerello Mascalese red wine casks, after an initial maturation in Chardonnay casks.
• Cruz de Alba Cask Finish: first matured in Swiss Chardonnay casks, later in Cruz de Alba Spanish red wine casks, with a detailed finish and box packaging.
• Cask Proof Distillery Edition: cask-strength bottling in batches (produced by selecting the best-performing cask).
• Old Bear The Lost Casks: Limited edition, telling the story of two bear casks, older and later bottled in Merlot casks.
• Old Deer (and variants in gift sets): classic single malt in different packaging (e.g., with a glass or in a wooden box).
• Gold Bee, Gold Cream, Gold Capricorn: liqueurs based on the Langatun range (honey-based and other flavors).
• 12y Vintage Reserve (Single Grain Whisky): another style of whisky in the range, produced as a single grain whisky with high alcohol strength.

Tasting notes (selected)

• Old Deer: aromas of floral malt and red berries; flavors of fruit, raisins, vanilla, and oak; long, smooth finish.
• Old Crow: sweet smoke, tobacco, notes of red wine; finish with warm smoke and dark chocolate.
• Old Wolf: complex and powerful with fruity notes and smoke from a blend of casks.
• Old Bear: smoky and spicy, with vinous nuances and hints of wood and sweetness.
• Old Woodpecker: fruity and spicy, with evident oak notes and caramel.

Other products in the category (released alongside the whiskies)

• Cigar Malt (50 cl): 45.6% ABV, designed to accompany cigars.
• Cask Finish categories (Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Cruz de Alba): finish releases that add vinous and fruity notes.
• Old Deer in decanter / wooden box and gift sets: different packaging formats.
• Gold Bee, Gold Capricorn, Gold Cream: launched as whisky liqueurs or dram dilutions with honey and spices.
• 1616 line (gin and rum): separate spirit products in the same brand family (not whisky but part of the portfolio).

Visits / Experiences - Visit and tour at Langatun Distillery in Aarwangen and Kornhaus: guided tours and tastings at the visitor center. - Tour & Tasting: 90-minute guided tour including a tasting; group-oriented tours from around CHF 35 per person, including a gift and the option to purchase products in the whisky shop. - Distilling Seminar: 4-hour course where you learn about whisky production and have the opportunity to distill and blend; includes certificate and a Langatun bottle that you label yourself. - Blend your own Langatun: workshop where you learn sensory evaluation and blend your own whisky and bottle it yourself. - Whisky Day: an annual event featuring tastings of Langatun and other distilleries, along with various activities and exhibits; ticket price includes a glass and tastings.

Philosophy Langatun describes itself as a company that places a high value on pristine nature and the union of nature and distilling in every drop. In the Heritage Line, the Baumberger family honors the traditions and the craft behind brewing and distilling, and they emphasize the use of the original Langenthal spring as a key ingredient. Langatun highlights the craftsmanship and long processes that contribute to a soft, complex, and well-rounded single malt experience. Organic products (such as Old Woodpecker) also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and responsible agricultural practices. At the same time, they maintain their connection to their history through the timeline in the history and a range of limited editions (e.g., Old Bear The Lost Casks and Jacob’s Dram) that celebrate long-standing tradition and innovation in Swiss whisky.

Identity Summary Langatun is a historic, family-driven whisky producer in Switzerland, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern finishes and organic options. Their products range from classic single malts to smoky and finish combinations, as well as limited editions and gift sets, while the distillery also offers visits and tastings on site.