Asbach Privatbrand 8 Yr Brandy
Asbach Privatbrand 8 Year Old is the house's connoisseur's Weinbrand — 40% ABV, 750mL (US) — a marriage of selected wine distillates matured a minimum of 8 years in small Limousin oak casks, then ennobled by Asbach's secret maturing and refining process. Eight years of slow oxidation deepens the oak and fruit into something distinctly spicy and full-bodied. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA, and meet the Asbach the Germans keep for themselves.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof) — US 750ml bottle (importer-verified)
- Size: 750mL (US)
- Age: Minimum 8 years in small Limousin oak casks
- Production: Selected wines, traditional column-still distillation; secret house refining process
- Origin: Rüdesheim (Rheingau), Germany (Asbach, founded 1892)
The Connoisseur's Asbach
"Privatbrand" is Asbach's way of saying the serious bottle — the one the Rheingau drinks itself. The distillates are drawn from selected wines, column-distilled in the traditional German Weinbrand manner, and laid down for at least eight years in small Limousin oak casks, where extended oxidation and wood integration do their slow work. The final cuvée then goes through Asbach's secret maturing and refining process before bottling at 40%. Compare it with its siblings in the Asbach range and more fine brandy.
Tasting Notes
Deep amber. The nose is distinctly fruity — dark chocolate, cedar wood, dried fruit, nuts, vanilla, and a hint of spice. The palate is full-bodied and distinctly spicy: strong fruit flavor, almonds, spice, dried fruit, caramel, and oak. The finish is very long, aromatic, ripe, and warm.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a snifter, or over a single cube. It's bold enough for an old-fashioned-style stirred build with bitters and a twist, and rich enough to stand up to dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Privatbrand" mean?
Literally "private brand" — Asbach's designation for its connoisseur's bottling, a more heavily oaked, longer-aged expression than the flagship Uralt.
Is Asbach Privatbrand 40% ABV?
The US 750ml bottle is 40% ABV, verified by the US importer's tech sheet. The German domestic 700ml version is bottled at 38% — the 40% figure is correct for the US bottle.
How does it differ from Asbach Uralt?
The Uralt is the flagship at 3 years minimum; the Privatbrand matures at least 8 years in small Limousin oak casks, making it fuller, spicier, and more deeply oaked.
The serious German brandy — get Asbach Privatbrand 8 Year online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.