The noble fruit distillery "Gebr. J. & M. Ziegler GmbH" was founded in 1865 in Freudenberg am Main by Josef Ziegler as a beer brewery with distilling rights and a pub. An important milestone in the 1980s was the introduction of the noble brandy Wildkirsch No. 1, which made its way into top gastronomy. In 1992, the company was taken over by the Leibrand family. Finally, in 1998, it came under the ownership of the Wein Wolf company, which has belonged to the German wine trading group Hawesko Holding AG since 2000.
Ziegler is one of the leading German distilleries. The fruit is supplied by selected fruit growers throughout Europe. Distillation is carried out in the traditional double distillation process. The products rest for several years in the designated containers. The fruit brandies mature in stainless steel, selected berry brandies and rarities in glass balloons. For the berry and pome fruit brandies this is at least three years and for stone fruit brandies at least five years. The product range includes various brandies (much fruit and berry), fruit vinegars, gin, liqueurs, rum and whisky. In 2008, the single malt whisky AUREUM was introduced. Many types of barrels and wood from German chestnut and French Allier oak are used for maturation. In the first year, only new casks are used. Finishing takes place in sherry casks from González Byass.
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien