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Guggenbichler – Spirits specialist from the Chiemgau region

As a small boy, he helped collect the mashed fruit from the barrels and was later introduced to the secrets of distilling by his father, says the fruit-grower and master distiller Johann Guggenbichler. Fine quality brandies have been distilled at the family estate since 1829 and the business is now in its 5th generation. The brandy sommelier shares the particular features of these traditional local fruit varieties with visitors during seminars and tasting sessions.

The business is located in the picturesque Chiemgau mountains and the gently rolling hills of the Alpine uplands, at the heart of the fruit orchards where fruits ripen for use in the authentic Guggenbichler products. The varieties grown here range from apple brandy aged in oak barrels, apricot (brandy and liqueur), top-quality pear, blackberry and espresso liqueur, Gravenstein apple, hazelnut spirit, raspberry spirit and liqueur, elderberry brandy, coffee liqueur, cherry brandy and liqueur, herb spirit and liqueur, distillates made from Mirabelle plums, fruits, peaches and plums (brandy and liqueur), quince (brandy and liqueur), Ramazottl, sloe, pomace and rowanberry brandies, walnut liqueur, Williams pear (brandy and liqueur) and plum brandy.


Many spirits enthusiasts and long-standing regular customers come here regularly to stock up on their favourite fruit flavour. The brandies and liqueurs come packaged in wooden boxes and therefore make popular gifts. These top-quality spirits are highly valued in the world of gastronomy; Germany’s top chef, Heinz Winkler, ‘resides’ in nearby Aschau and recommends trying a ‘Guggenbichler’.

The World Spirits Award resulted in classification as a First Class Distillery 2014 with gold for sloe and black elderberry, and silver for apricot and yellow Williams pear.

Asbach: Together is best

This specialist spirit from Rüdesheim am Rhein has been successful for more than 125 years thanks to its strict philosophy about its brand and its quality. The proof is reflected in its 87% brand recognition and being distinguished as ‘Brand of the Century’. Extraordinary quality is guaranteed by an elaborate distillation method and lengthy storage of the distillates in Limousin oak in a unique cask store: over 20,000 casks contain more than 120 valuable brandies which are up to 65 years old. Asbach specialities are composed of up to 20 individual distillates of different ages.

The company dates back to 1892 when Hugo Asbach turned his back on his adopted homeland of France and fulfilled his dream of setting up his own company in Rüdesheim. He used his knowledge to create a product which was on a par with French cognac, yet at the same time paid special attention to German tastes. The product range has been extended several times during the company’s history. Since 2021, the Asbach brand has been using its well-known, traditional logo, but has kept the modern version of the labels from the year 2019.

The World Class Distillery 2022 received gold for Asbach Original aged 3 years, Asbach matured for 8 years, Asbach Selection 21 years and Asbach Uralt. Silver was awarded to Asbach matured for 15 years.

Georg Hemmeter – XUXU, Escorial, SILLA EL FUERTE

Georg Hemmeter – strawberry drinks with exceptional flavour guaranteed

The name Georg Hemmeter – a company of the Underberg Group – stands for innovative spirits, in particular the XUXU range. The fresh and fruity strawberry drink contains 66 percent fruit plus crystal-clear vodka, rounded off with a dash of lime. The harmony between the sweetness of the fruit and just 15% alcohol by volume is created using a special production method. XUXU Ten, the little luxury in a 250 ml aluminium bottle with only 10% alcohol by volume, is dressed to party – it is still relatively new to the market, yet is already at home in all the world’s top party venues.
XUXU can be served in so many different ways: chilled, neat, on crushed ice, as a dessert topping, with sparkling wine or with other mixers – XUXU tastes heavenly and offers fresh and fruity pleasure. Welcome to Berrydise!

Initially the absolute top star in Greece, XUXU is now also number 1 in Russia, and extremely popular in Turkey and Italy too.


XUXU Strawberry & Vodka Drink and XUXU Ten won Gold at the World Spirits Award 2014.