Etter Kirsch Eau-de-Vie 1978
Etter Kirsch Eau-de-Vie 1978 is an exceptionally rare vintage-dated Swiss kirsch bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof) in a 700mL bottle — distilled from the 1978 cherry harvest near Zug, Switzerland, and matured in 50-litre glass demijohns for decades before bottling. Few fruit brandies in the world can claim a 1978 vintage; the Etter family's practice of hiding demijohns under the rafters of an old barn and letting fluctuating temperatures do the work has preserved the concentrated character of a harvest from nearly half a century ago. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 42% (84 proof)
- Size: 700mL
- Vintage: 1978 — single harvest, single cherry variety
- Maturation: decades in 50L glass demijohns
- Distillery: Etter Soehne AG, Zug, Switzerland (since 1870)
- Style: cherry eau-de-vie, crystal clear
A Harvest From 1978, Still Vivid
The miracle of the Etter vintage kirsches is longevity: because the spirit matures in glass rather than wood, it never tires — the 1978 harvest arrives with its fruit intensity intact, refined by decades into something no young kirsch can imitate. This is a bottle for the collector and the connoisseur alike, a record of a Swiss summer distilled and kept. Explore brandy, rare spirits and the Etter lineup at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: crystal clear, undimmed by time. Nose: intensely concentrated cherry — dark, ripe mountain fruit with remarkable purity. Palate: broad and powerful, deep cherry with almond and warming spice from decades in glass. Finish: exceptionally long and noble.
How to Enjoy
A spirit this rare is for sipping neat, slowly, in a small tulip glass — share it with someone who understands what a 1978 means. A single drop in a fine fondue is traditional Swiss luxury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a 1978 kirsch? Extremely — vintage-dated kirsch from the 1970s is scarce anywhere, and Etter's decades of demijohn aging make this one of the oldest cherry brandies available.
Why is it clear if it's so old? It matures in glass demijohns, not oak — so it keeps its crystal clarity while developing depth over decades.
What is the ABV? 42% ABV (84 proof), 700mL.
Collector-grade Swiss kirsch — find it at Del Mesa Liquor and order online in San Diego, CA.