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Hercynian Distilling Co.

Distillery
Walkenried (vormals Zorge), Germany

Whiskies (339)

339 Hercynian Distilling Co. whiskies are currently listed on Whiskybase.

About Hercynian Distilling Co. / Hammerschmiede

Hercynian Distilling Co. is an independent malt whisky distillery in Walkenried, in Germany’s Harz Mountains. Founded by the Buchholz family in 1985 as a small spirits workshop, it has become one of Germany’s notable modern whisky makers. Producing whisky since 2002, Hercynian carries out distillation, maturation, and bottling on the same site. The distillery's brands include ElsBurn, WillowBurn, and The Alrik.

Germany (Harz Mountains)

Country Germany
Production Type Single malt distillation

Distillery Details

Capacity 0.03 MLPA
Water Source Local spring (Staufenbergquelle)
Grain Type Regional barley (including wood‑smoked and peated malt)
Distillation Type Traditional double distillation on copper pot stills
Whisky Produced Single malt whisky
Number of Mash Tuns 1
Mash Tun Capacity 0.8 tonnes
Number of Washbacks 4
Washback Capacity 3,050 L each
Washback Material Oak
Fermentation Time 96–120 hours
Wash Stills 2 (700 L each)
Wash Still Material Copper
Spirit Stills 1 (800 L)
Spirit Stills Material Copper
Spirit Still Type Pot still
Maturation on Site? Yes (on‑site warehouses using various cask types)
Warehouse Type Non‑climate‑controlled, varied casks
Warehouses On‑site

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