Fassbind

Fassbind has been active in Oberarth since the 19th century: the foundation is dated to 1846 by Gottfried Fassbind. The company remained in the family for generations until the 1990s; it later experienced changes of ownership and returned to Swiss hands in 2014. Over its history Fassbind has built a reputation for high-quality fruit distillates and has developed several product lines, including aged editions and specialty liqueurs.

Focus on raw material quality: selected ripe fruit, artisanal processing and control of the entire production chain, with respect for tradition combined with technological innovation. Complete in-house production (from fruit processing to bottling) and emphasis on barrel aging to achieve aromatic complexity.

Oberarth, Canton Schwyz, Switzerland — area between Lakes Zug and Lauerz, at the foot of Mount Rigi, in the heart of Central Switzerland.

Swiss Spirits Award 2019: awards to multiple products (including 1st place in the Kirsch category for Les Trouvailles Wild-Kirsch and other placements); rewarded participation at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition with recognitions for the Les Vieilles Barriques line (gold, silver and bronze across different labels).

Hand selection of fruit, fermentation of the fruit mash and distillation with modern equipment; subsequent maturation in historic cellars and bottling in their own facility. Counter-current distillation is practiced for fruit eaux-de-vie, as indicated by company and technical sources.

Counter-current distillation (Gegenstromverfahren) with modern, fruit-specific equipment.

Maturation in historic cellars; use of barrels of different woods (including own Limousin oak casks, pear, cherry and plum) and filling of used casks (sherry, port, rum, whisky) to develop aromatic character.