Hödl Hof Zirberl Zirbenschnaps

A Swiss stone pine speciality from Hodl Hof, a long established Austrian distillery set between orchards and vineyards, where double distillation is carried out according to old Styrian tradition on pure copper stills and only the high proof centrepiece is taken before maturing in wood, glass or stainless steel. Swiss stone pine, or Zirbe, is its defining flavour, an alpine pine character that sets it apart from the usual herbal liqueurs. At 25% it lands at digestif strength.

The nose is sweet bitter, resinous and woody, the palate spicy Swiss stone pine with notes of forest and wood, finishing long, soft and delicately bitter. The profile runs pine, mint, anise, wormwood, gentian and liquorice, a clean alpine and herbal register. In a drink it contributes a resinous pine aromatic and a delicate bitterness, so it works neat as an after dinner pour or as an unusual aromatic accent in a stirred alpine cocktail or a long serve over ice with tonic. Its forest character makes it a talking point on a back bar. Serve well chilled.