Uberrach as in Überraschung

Posted on June 19, 2007
Filed Under Non Scottish Malts, WhiskyBuzz |

A single malt whisky from the unlikely location of Alsace is set to be seen on shelves outside France.

Uberach Alsace Whisky, from Distillerie Bertrand in the small village of Uberach, was launched in France earlier this year. However, it is now arousing interest from specialist retailers outside France, and may soon be seen on the shelves of specialist whisky shops in the USA, following interest from American buyers visiting Vinexpo in Bordeaux.

The water for the whisky is from a river that runs off the Vosges mountains in northern Alsace, while the barley has been specially selected with the help of a traditional brewer in the village of Uberach. The spirit is then aged in barrels that once held Banyuls fortified wine for at least three years.

The product of this process is then sold in two forms - a single malt, blended from the range of casks, and the Single Cask, the product of just one selected barrel.

Production is small at the moment, with just 20,000 bottles. Currently they are being sold in specialist wine and spirit shops in France, with around 3,000 bottles already sold.

Pascal Dubois, managing director of the parent company Wolfberger, told Drinks International: “We have a lot of experience in fruit distillation, and we think we can bring that experience to the world of whisky. We are looking for a fruity expression, with a very rounded character.”

Buyers from the USA have now expressed an interest in stocking the whisky in specialist retailers in the States, and more interest from whisky fans, even if it’s just for the curiosity value of the product, is likely to follow.

The Uberach Single Malt retails for around 38 euros, with the Single Cask selling for around 48 euros. Each is aged for between three and four years.

Tasting note:

Uberach Single Malt Alsace Whisky
- Very fruity tones with strong hints of ‘vieille prune’ eau de vie (although there are definitely no plums in this whisky). Soft and rounded.

Uberach Single Cask Alsace Whisky
- Pinky tones to the colour, with aromas of chocolate, ground coffee and licorice. Good depth of flavour with a persistent fruity roundness.

Source: Drinks International