History

Macardo was founded in Strohwilen in 2007 by Marco Frauchiger and Bernardo Lamberti in a former cheese factory. Their first product was one of the world's first bourbons outside the USA. In 2015, Andreas and Martina Bössow bought Macardo and brought Master Distiller Bartholomäus Fink to the project. Over the years, Macardo has received numerous international awards and expanded its range to include gin, vieilles and fruit brandies.

In 2016 Macardo began to develop as a contemporary development hub for Swiss distilling art and launched several products and special editions. From 2017 to 2019 the brand continued to expand its portfolio and present unique releases such as the 10th Anniversary Special Edition and collaborations with local producers.

In 2019–2020 the foundations of the modern Macardo World took shape with the start of construction and later the opening of a fully integrated experience and production hall in Strohwilen, including the distillery, cask warehouse, event location, Premium B&B and a walk-in shop. On 28 November 2020 the new world of Macardo opened, with a clear focus on quality, sustainability and experience-based offerings.

Background philosophy and recognizable elements have remained through the years: Swissness, tradition and craftsmanship blended with innovation and small-batch production, along with a significant commitment to sustainability. In later years Macardo has been described as an anchor for Swiss distilling art and guest experiences.

Production and Sustainability

Macardo distills in modern buildings built around an older cheese-milk factory and uses two copper stills of 100 L and 200 L, powered by wood and largely driven by craftsmanship and small batches. Raw materials for whiskies and other distillates come from own sources and local Thurgau farmers; water comes from a genuine source rather than external supply. Malting takes place in their own mill and mashes are prepared according to strictly guarded recipes with special yeast cultures and water from their own source.

Barrel aging is seen as Macardo’s greatest expertise. A nano-secure barrel storage is housed in a highly innovative warehouse controlled by microclimate and sensor technology. Macardo describes its sustainability as a holistic approach, where energy comes from wood, solar, geothermal and water from their own source. Waste is handled through recycling and biogas; the systems are designed for CO2-neutral distillation. Fasslageret 4.0 sits at the cutting edge of technology, where each barrel is hung and monitored by sensors – including data on weight, temperature and humidity.

Products / Whisky Series

Macardo produces Swiss Premium Whisky and various single malts as well as other distillates. In addition to whisky they also produce gin, vermouth, rum and vieilles, but the focus of this overview is the whisky range: - Swiss Thurbon – Swiss Premium Whisky, 42% ABV. A blend of Swiss corn, rye and barley, aged in newly charred white oak. Named Thurbon as a combination of bourbon and Thur, linking Thurgau origin with a bolder, fruity flavor profile. - Macardo Single Malt – with lightly fruity notes after a long fermentation and around 10 years of maturation in selected white oak casks. Available in variants such as Opening Edition 1904 and other special editions. - Opening Edition 1904 – Single Malt, matured in a combination of Port wine and Armagnac casks and finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks; limited edition (1904 bottles in the original release; later variants in various limited quantities). - Slightly Smoky – Chapter 1, 2nd Edition, a two-phase maturation process where a fresh oak cask provides the vanilla note, and a finishing stage in an Islay Scotch cask adds a maritime and lightly peaty tone; limited to 940 hand-numbered bottles and available as a cask-strength variant. - Chapter 2 – The Life Cycle of a Cask – Single Malt – Cask Strength; a development where part of the maturation takes place in old Port wine casks (Douro, Enchanted Valley) and fermentation and aging continue in Thurgau; limited number of hand-numbered bottles (typically around 980). - Contessa Vermouth – a vermouth produced from Swiss wines and herbs, not exclusively whisky, but part of Macardo’s portfolio; used in cocktails and served as part of the overall distillate selection.

In addition to these there are other distillates and limited editions such as Señor Rum, Sloe Gin and Tasting boxes as well as gift and experience products tailored to Macardo World.

Visits / Experiences

Macardo offers a range of experiences: guided tours through the distillery and Fasslager, tasting and course offerings, a walk-in shop and a premium B&B. Guided tours last about 1.5 hours and include tastings of three Macardo distillates. Additionally one can experience 360° tours, lectures and courses in whisky, spirits and cigars. There is also an Honesty Bar & Cigar Lounge where you pay for your own consumption.

The event venue at Macardo can be rented for parties and meetings and can be combined with overnight stays in the Premium B&B. Fondue Chalet offers winter experiences (up to 80 people) with different fondue variants and the possibility of guided tours and tastings. An Advent market and seasonal events are also part of the experiences program.

Philosophy

Macardo is built around a philosophy that combines Swissness and tradition with innovation and craftsmanship. The focus is on Small-Batch and premium quality, together with a strong sustainability profile that includes using wood from local forests, solar energy and geothermal energy as well as water from its own source. They see themselves as a center of expertise for Swiss Brennkunst and as a beacon for ecological and sustainable distilling methods – including the world-leading Fasslager 4.0, where sensor data provides full control over storage.