Etter Kirsch Eau-de-Vie 1995
Etter Kirsch Eau-de-Vie 1995 is a vintage-dated Swiss kirsch bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof) in a 700mL bottle — distilled entirely from the 1995 cherry harvest around Zug, Switzerland, and matured for years in 50-litre glass demijohns before bottling. The Etter family has distilled kirsch since 1870, and their vintage kirsches are among the rarest expressions of the craft: a single variety of cherry, a single year's harvest, left to develop its concentrated character in glass under the rafters of an old barn until it is deemed ready. Nothing is added, nothing hurried. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 42% (84 proof)
- Size: 700mL
- Vintage: 1995 — single harvest, single cherry variety
- Maturation: many years in 50L glass demijohns
- Distillery: Etter Soehne AG, Zug, Switzerland (since 1870)
- Style: cherry eau-de-vie, unaged in oak, crystal clear
A Vintage Year, Distilled and Kept in Glass
Most kirsch is blended across harvests; Etter's vintage kirsches are the exception — each bottle carries the character of one year's cherries from the Zugersee region, distilled and then hidden away in demijohns where fluctuating temperatures slowly coax the young, raw distillate into something of real depth. The result is kirsch with unusual concentration: explosive cherry aroma with a long, warming aftertaste and the faint almond note that marks a great vintage. Discover more brandy, fine spirits and the Etter collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: pure, crystal clear. Nose: distinctive and fine — ripe mountain cherry with a delicate floral hint and unmistakable fruit intensity. Palate: strong and broad, full cherry aroma with a whisper of almond, explosive and wonderfully long. Finish: lasting, warming, harmonious.
How to Enjoy
Sip neat at cellar temperature after dinner — the traditional Swiss digestif. It also elevates a classic fondue and pairs magically with herbal liqueurs like Genepy in cocktails; as an aperitif, try it lengthened with club soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Etter Kirsch 1995? A vintage-dated cherry eau-de-vie from Etter in Zug, Switzerland — distilled from the 1995 cherry harvest and matured for years in glass demijohns.
How strong is it? 42% ABV (84 proof), 700mL.
Why is it vintage-dated? Etter bottles the vintage kirsch with the precise harvest year because each year's cherries and demijohn aging produce a kirsch typical of that year — the vintage approach long predates the modern word for it.
A vintage kirsch from one of Switzerland's great distillers — order Etter Kirsch 1995 online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.