Fassbind Les Vieilles Barriques Pear
Fassbind Les Vieilles Barriques Pear (Vieille Poire) is what happens when Switzerland's oldest working distillery gives its pear eau-de-vie time in oak — 40% ABV, hand-sorted fully ripe Williams pears, double-distilled, oak-rested roughly a year to a year and a half, finished with a natural dried-pear extract — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% vol (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL (EU format 70cl — confirm bottle)
- Style: oak-rested pear brandy — "Les Vieilles Barriques" is the barrel-matured line, distinct from the unaged "Les Eaux de Vie"
- Aging: ~12–18 months in French oak (importer chart: 10–18), plus dried-pear natural extract dosage
- Origin: S. Fassbind AG, Oberarth, Schwyz, Switzerland — founded 1846
- Award: Silver — San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2018 (importer-reported)
From the Oldest Still in Switzerland
Fassbind has distilled in Oberarth since 1846 and calls itself Switzerland's oldest still-functioning distillery. The Vieilles Barriques line starts from the same double-distilled Williams pear eau-de-vie as the flagship clear spirit, then diverges: a long oak rest plus a dosage of natural dried-pear extract adds wood, vanilla, and caramel character to the fresh-pear base. More from Fassbind, or browse the store's liqueur and spirits shelves.
Tasting Notes
Intense, fruity pear with wood notes on the nose — candied fruit, honey, crème caramel, hazelnut, vanilla ice cream, meringue. Rich, complex, and smooth on the palate: pronounced pear followed by vanilla and hazelnut, honeydew and light wood. A persistent, fruity, long finish.
How to Enjoy
Chilled or at room temperature (around 68°F) as a digestif in a digestif glass, slightly warmed. Pairs with matured cheeses, fruity desserts, and crème caramel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vieille Poire brandy?
An oak-rested Williams pear brandy: distilled pear eau-de-vie matured in oak barriques (Fassbind's "Les Vieilles Barriques" line), finished with a natural dried-pear dosage.
What is the ABV of Fassbind Vieille Poire?
40% ABV (80 proof).
Who makes Fassbind pear brandy?
S. Fassbind AG of Oberarth, Schwyz, Switzerland, founded 1846 — billed as the country's oldest still-operating distillery.
How is Fassbind Vieille Poire different from a regular pear eau-de-vie?
It's oak-rested roughly a year and a half and given a dried-pear extract dosage, adding wood, vanilla, and caramel character to the fresh-pear base.
Swiss pear, barrel and all: order Fassbind Vieilles Barriques Pear online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.