Etter Kirsch AOP Zug Eau-de-Vie ‘Edelweiss’
Etter Kirsch AOP Zug Eau-de-Vie 'Edelweiss' is the classic Swiss kirsch in the 700mL 'Edelweiss' presentation, bottled at 41% ABV (82 proof). In this bottle are distilled more than 10 pounds of fresh mountain cherries, exclusively from the protected AOP region surrounding Zug; the brandy then evolves for years in glass demijohns before bottling — the house method that develops its signature almond note from the cherry pits while keeping the fruit astonishingly pure. From the Etter family distillery in Zug, Switzerland, synonymous with fine Swiss eau-de-vie since 1870. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 41% (82 proof)
- Size: 700mL
- Style: kirsch — unsweetened cherry eau-de-vie, AOP Zug
- Fruit: 10+ lbs of mountain cherries per bottle, Zug AOP region
- Process: double distillation, years in glass demijohns
- Distillery: Etter Soehne AG, Zug, Switzerland — family-owned since 1870
The Classic Swiss Kirsch
Cherry cultivation near Lake Zug dates to the 1400s, and the Kirschwasser-Gesellschaft formed in 1870 to protect true "Zuger" kirsch — the same year Paul Etter founded the family distillery. Kirsch from the Zug AOP stands out for intense concentration, its ability to improve over years of aging in neutral vessels, and a prominent almond note from the high concentration of cherry pits. Sip neat after dinner, as an aperitif with club soda, or in a Rose or Martinez; it's also essential to a traditional fondue. See more eaux-de-vie and the Etter collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: crystal clear. Nose: fresh cherry and almond — vibrant, dry, intensely fruity. Palate: pure cherry essence with subtle marzipan from the pits, smooth texture. Finish: long and warming with lingering cherry stone.
How to Enjoy
Neat as a digestif, or mixed with club soda as an aperitif; in cocktails it pairs magically with genepy. Keep a bottle for fondue night — it's the traditional essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kirsch? A dry, unsweetened cherry brandy — eau-de-vie distilled from cherries, pits included.
What does AOP Zug mean? Protected-origin status: authentic "Zuger" kirsch can only come from the Zug region of Switzerland.
Why the almond note? It comes from the distilled cherry pits, concentrated by the AOP's high pit ratio and glass-demijohn aging.
Switzerland's defining cherry spirit — order Etter Kirsch 'Edelweiss' online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.