Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser

I’ve not had a pour of whiskey in a few weeks, since @Richard-ModernDrinking @ctbeck11 and @pkingmartin and I had our virtual tasting over some amazing drams. But was in the mood to write…so, here we go with a very unusual spirit. This is a clear spirit distilled from cherries with pith. I don’t have the slightest idea if one is meant to have it neat, or in cocktails. Personally, I’d not have it neat…it’s tart, dry, and tastes nothing like cherries since the tart and dryness take over. But, I got this as a key ingredient in making Black Forest cake ( more on that later…since that’ll be a Christmas dessert I’m making). Instead , last night I had this with hot chocolate. Yes. Hot chocolate. 3/4 ounce of this, over some hot chocolate ( I had simple Swiss Miss, but I’m guessing it would be more decadent over Godiva), topped with fresh whipped cream. It’s amazing. NOW that damn cherry taste comes out!!! Adds that bit of tart cherry to the sweet hot chocolate. If you’ve ever had Mexican hot chocolate, where the cinnamon adds a bit of spice to the sweet, this does similar with a bit of tart cherry flavor. I found a new love, and she comes from Switzerland via Bavaria. Already looking forward to that Black Forest cake…

This brand is actually Schladerer; Schwarzwälder refers to the Black Forest in Germany, where this is produced. Clear in appearance with nutty and alcohol notes prominent on the nose. Faint cherry lingers in the background. The taste is similar to the nose minus the alcohol. Medium mouthfeel and medium-short finish. This is my first kirschwasser and I like it. I find the tartness quite refreshing and there is no burn here. The taste is unlike anything else I have tried. I look foward to trying other brands and maybe sampling local German and Swiss brands if I make it over that way.

The gold standard in kirschwasser as available stateside. Schnapps heat, stone bitterness, and a cherry nose that shines.