Introduction:
The Hammerschmiede Manufacture in Zorge, Harz, has been producing spirits since 1984. In 2002, Alexander Buchholz introduced Whisky to their offerings, starting with Glen Els Whisky. Initially, Glen Els Whisky, aged in various cask types like Madeira, Sherry, Marsala, Malaga, Red Wine, and Sauternes, was released as single cask bottlings. These exclusive single cask editions remain highly sought after. Now, Hammerschmiede offers a diverse range, including series like “Journey”, “The Ember” and “Unique Distillery Edition”. These batches have distinct characters due to specific cask combinations. “Journey” and “Unique Distillery” bottlings have fruity, spicy profiles, while “The Ember” signifies their smoky Whisky line’s beginning.
Glen Els produces smoky Whisky, not from Scottish peat, but by smoking malt over beech and alder wood. The heavily smoky Glen Els Woodsmoked Editions combine this smoked malt with their regular malt. Additionally, the Alrik series, using 100% smoked malt, caters to fans of intensely smoky Whiskies.
The History:
The historic upper Hammermühle, also known as Hammerschmiede (hammer mill) in Wieda, Harz, has a rich history dating back to the late 13th century. It played a significant role in iron production and processing, connected to ore mines and iron casting. The area, situated in the Kastental valley, was shaped by Cistercian monks and faced challenges like plague and war, leading to closures, destruction, repairs, and the building of new facilities. Despite these hardships, the Harz region’s iron industry endured. Around 1820, the upper hammer mill stopped its operations.
In 1895, Theodor Knoblauch, a relative of current owner Alexander Buchholz, took over the old Hammerschmiede. He transformed it into a workshop for crafting wooden shovels used in the malt and sugar industries. After his passing, the mill fell into disrepair until his grandson Karl – Theodor Buchholz decided to renovate it. He established a restaurant with its own spirit production. This venture began with herbal liqueur, caraway liquor, and a fruit brandy blend, forming the basis for success in the spirits market. Over time, more products were introduced. By 1998, Hammerschmiede closed its restaurant to focus solely on spirit production, which had already reached 5,000 liters.
In 2000, the “Harzer Single Malt Whisky” project was initiated. Due to limited space for production, storage, and sales, Hammerschmiede relocated to the old Kurhaus in Zorge in 2005. By 2007, the warehouse stored 50 casks of future Glen Els Whisky. After expanding production capacity in 2009, the stock increased to 250 casks by mid – 2010. Presently, casks are stored in both Zorge and the original Hammerschmiede in Wieda. The Harzer Single Malt Whisky Glen Els, named after its water source, the Els well, has gained recognition and acclaim beyond Germany.
Visitor Centre:
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 09:00 am – 3:00 pm
Wednesday and Sunday closed
Distillery tours:
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 3:00 pm
Saturday 1:00 am / 12:15 pm / 1:30 pm
Hammerschmiede:
Elsbach 11A
D – 37449 Zorge
Phone: +49 55 86 – 82 82
info@hammerschmiede.de
Visitor information:
Hammerschmiede
Elsbach 11a
37449 Zorge
Tel: +49(0)5586-8282
Email: info@hammerschmiede.de
Information about the Distillery: |
|
| Number of bottles: | 0 Bottles |
| Country, Region: | Germany |
| Coordinates: | 10.633408 51.629469 |
| Status: | Active |
| Still 1: | 2 x 700 l |
| Still 2: | 1 x 750 l |
| Mashtun: | 1,000 t |
| Founding year: | 2002 |
| Distillery output: | 24,000 l |
Introduction:
The Hammerschmiede Manufacture in Zorge, Harz, has been producing spirits since 1984. In 2002, Alexander Buchholz introduced Whisky to their offerings, starting with Glen Els Whisky. Initially, Glen Els Whisky, aged in various cask types like Madeira, Sherry, Marsala, Malaga, Red Wine, and Sauternes, was released as single cask bottlings. These exclusive single cask editions remain highly sought after. Now, Hammerschmiede offers a diverse range, including series like “Journey”, “The Ember” and “Unique Distillery Edition”. These batches have distinct characters due to specific cask combinations. “Journey” and “Unique Distillery” bottlings have fruity, spicy profiles, while “The Ember” signifies their smoky Whisky line’s beginning.
Glen Els produces smoky Whisky, not from Scottish peat, but by smoking malt over beech and alder wood. The heavily smoky Glen Els Woodsmoked Editions combine this smoked malt with their regular malt. Additionally, the Alrik series, using 100% smoked malt, caters to fans of intensely smoky Whiskies.
The History:
The historic upper Hammermühle, also known as Hammerschmiede (hammer mill) in Wieda, Harz, has a rich history dating back to the late 13th century. It played a significant role in iron production and processing, connected to ore mines and iron casting. The area, situated in the Kastental valley, was shaped by Cistercian monks and faced challenges like plague and war, leading to closures, destruction, repairs, and the building of new facilities. Despite these hardships, the Harz region’s iron industry endured. Around 1820, the upper hammer mill stopped its operations.
In 1895, Theodor Knoblauch, a relative of current owner Alexander Buchholz, took over the old Hammerschmiede. He transformed it into a workshop for crafting wooden shovels used in the malt and sugar industries. After his passing, the mill fell into disrepair until his grandson Karl – Theodor Buchholz decided to renovate it. He established a restaurant with its own spirit production. This venture began with herbal liqueur, caraway liquor, and a fruit brandy blend, forming the basis for success in the spirits market. Over time, more products were introduced. By 1998, Hammerschmiede closed its restaurant to focus solely on spirit production, which had already reached 5,000 liters.
In 2000, the “Harzer Single Malt Whisky” project was initiated. Due to limited space for production, storage, and sales, Hammerschmiede relocated to the old Kurhaus in Zorge in 2005. By 2007, the warehouse stored 50 casks of future Glen Els Whisky. After expanding production capacity in 2009, the stock increased to 250 casks by mid – 2010. Presently, casks are stored in both Zorge and the original Hammerschmiede in Wieda. The Harzer Single Malt Whisky Glen Els, named after its water source, the Els well, has gained recognition and acclaim beyond Germany.
Visitor Centre:
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 09:00 am – 3:00 pm
Wednesday and Sunday closed
Distillery tours:
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 3:00 pm
Saturday 1:00 am / 12:15 pm / 1:30 pm
Hammerschmiede:
Elsbach 11A
D – 37449 Zorge
Phone: +49 55 86 – 82 82
info@hammerschmiede.de
Visitor information:
Hammerschmiede
Elsbach 11a
37449 Zorge
Tel: +49(0)5586-8282
Email: info@hammerschmiede.de
Information about the Distillery: |
|
| Number of bottles: | 0 Bottles |
| Country, Region: | Germany |
| Coordinates: | 10.633408 51.629469 |
| Status: | Active |
| Still 1: | 2 x 700 l |
| Still 2: | 1 x 750 l |
| Mashtun: | 1,000 t |
| Founding year: | 2002 |
| Distillery output: | 24,000 l |