Schladerer Kirschwasser Black Forest Cherry Brandy
Bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof) in a 750ml bottle, Schladerer Kirschwasser Black Forest Cherry Brandy is the benchmark German cherry eau-de-vie — a crystal-clear, dry spirit distilled from whole Black Forest cherries, pits and all, with no added sugar or color. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- 42% ABV (84 proof), 750ml
- Distilled from whole Black Forest cherries, fermented and distilled with the pits for signature almond and marzipan notes
- Made by the Alfred Schladerer family distillery in Staufen, Germany — distilling fruit eaux-de-vie since 1844
- Traditional copper pot distillation; dry, unaged cherry brandy — not a sweet liqueur
- Origin: Black Forest region, Germany
Germany's Benchmark Cherry Eau-de-Vie
The Schladerer family has distilled fruit brandies at the edge of Germany's Black Forest since 1844, and their Kirschwasser is the reference point for the style. Only ripe Black Forest cherries are used — fermented whole, stones intact, then twice distilled in copper stills. That traditional method is what gives authentic kirsch its telltale marzipan and almond undertone, a character simpler cherry spirits can't fake.
Tasting Notes
The nose is pure and intense: fresh cherry, almond blossom, and a faint nutty, marzipan-like note from the pits, with whispers of cinnamon and clove. On the palate it is crystal-clear, dry, and full-bodied yet round — concentrated stone fruit and fine almond running through a clean spirit — finishing long and warm with cherry skin and soft spice.
How to Enjoy
Serve well-chilled in a small tulip glass after a meal as a classic digestif — a small pour goes a long way. It is also a cooking essential: genuine Black Forest cake, cheese fondue, and poached cherries all lean on kirschwasser for their signature lift, and it brings refined cherry character to cocktails that call for a dry fruit brandy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kirschwasser made from? Kirschwasser is distilled from whole fermented cherries, including the pits. Schladerer's version uses ripe Black Forest cherries, and the pits contribute the signature almond and marzipan notes.
Is kirschwasser a brandy or a liqueur? It is a dry, unaged brandy — a fruit eau-de-vie with no added sugar — not a sweet cherry liqueur. Expect a clean, powerful cherry spirit, not syrupy sweetness.
What proof is Schladerer Kirschwasser? It is bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof) in a 750ml bottle.
What is kirschwasser used for in cooking? It is the traditional spirit behind Black Forest cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte), cheese fondue, and poached-cherry desserts, where its intense cherry aroma does the heavy lifting.
To taste the definitive Black Forest cherry brandy from one of Germany's oldest family distilleries, order your bottle online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — a Schladerer essential for the home bar and the pastry kitchen alike.