Swiss Kirsch, Williamine & Abricotine

Switzerland

Switzerland formalized fruit brandy into a set of protected appellations, from the cherry orchards of Zug to the apricot terraces of the Valais.

Signature fruits

🍒Cherry🍐Pear🟠Apricot🟡Quince🟣Plum

Switzerland protects several fruit-brandy origins: Zuger and Rigi Kirsch (AOP 2013), Poire Williams / Williamine du Valais (AOP 2001), Abricotine du Valais, and Damassine (a Jura plum). Etter in Zug and Morand in the Valais are the reference houses Wikipedia: Kirsch.

🖼 Media cue: Map: Zug (cherry) and the Valais (Williams pear, Luizet apricot) with AOP zones marked.

Sources

Producers from Switzerland

Distillerie Morand

Martigny, Valais · Switzerland

The Valais house behind Williamine pear and Abricotine AOP apricot, plus raspberry, quince and kirsch.

PearApricotRaspberryQuinceCherryWasser (ferment → distill)Geist (macerate → distill)Limited US import

Etter Söhne

Zug, Switzerland · Switzerland

A leading Swiss house making AOP Zuger Kirsch, Williams pear, Vieille Prune plum, mirabelle, apricot and quince.

CherryPearPlumApricotQuinceRaspberryWasser (ferment → distill)Geist (macerate → distill)Limited US import

Fassbind

Oberarth, Switzerland · Switzerland

One of Switzerland's oldest distillers (since 1846), spanning kirsch, Williams pear, aged plum and berry Geist.

CherryPearPlumRaspberryQuinceWasser (ferment → distill)Geist (macerate → distill)Limited US import