The Highlands of Bavaria

Heiligen Berg Feld

It is always best to keep an open mind, right? Don't shut out things that may actually be quite good. Well, those of you that know me, know that I have been a Scottish Whisky fan and not really looked much beyond the Scottish borders. Not entirely true as I am a fan of Waterford in Ireland and the organic Whiskies from Mosgaard in Denmark. I have not yet been impressed by Slyrs here in Germany which had convinced me that the Bavarians could not make a decent Whisky. But less than 8 miles (around 12Km) from my own Whisky Hut is a distillery that changed my opinion. I discovered it while in a Whisky Shop in Garmisch (Whisky Dram) and bought a bottle. And last weekend, I went to their "Open Day" for a look around and joined a tasting that evening. I am impressed with what this new distillery is doing. The distillery is called Heiligen Berg Feld (Holy Mountain Field). It is small in anyone's book. And it lies among farmland with sheep and chickens running free. It is completely unpretentious and the whisky is amazingly good.

Background

The distillery is the brainchild of Achim März. A qualified banker who has tried his hand as a restaurateur, farmer, and a distiller of schnapps. He and his wife Nikola have adapted and changed their life course a couple of times. But a few things came together to create the perfect storm and pave the way for Heiligen Berg Feld Distillery.

First, was Achim's trip to Scotland in 2017 with a few friends to visit a few distilleries and try out some whisky.

Second was a change in the distillation laws in Germany which opened the market for a new distillery.

Third was COVID. Nikola and Achim had a successful events business which was taking all of their time and energy. This came to an abrupt stop in 2020. They had time on their hands.

Fourth was that Achim has a brother, Jürgen, who is a brewer. And what do you need to make whisky? A brewer and a distiller combination.

Heiligen Berg Feld distillery was born and the first production was put into casks in February 2018. The März family do not hang around - they decide and just do it! Their first bottling was in Autumn 2021. The first batch was just over 400 bottles and they sold out almost immediately. Now production is in "full swing". They have filled 40 new casks this year so far.

Location

The Distillery is at one of the highest points in the area. And can claim the "high ground" by pinching the name ..... the "Highlands in the Starnberg region".

Heiligen Berg Feld Distillery sits in the hills in the middle of "Fünf Seeland" (The area with 5 lakes) in the village of Widdersberg. It is very close to the monastry at Andechs which is famous for it's beer. The area is beautiful and has a back-drop of the Alps. On a clear day, you feel you can reach out and touch the mountains. On a cloudy day you would have no idea that they are there.

The area is rich in spring water that is perfect for making Whisky. Malted barley and yeast for the Whisky is sourced from local producers. All very high quality.

Whisky Production

The philosophy here is simple; Small and high quality. They produce only single malt, single cask Whisky. There is no finishing in different casks, but Achim is experimenting in cask types. He only buys first-fill casks and has a variety of European and American oak casks in his small, but very well organised warehouse in the cellar. He has used Sherry Oloroso - PX, Port, Madeira, Sauternes, Banyuls, Moscatel....and I sense that this will be a key theme. 

Production is neatly set up; create the Wort in one room, and distill in the next. Casks are filled and stored to mature in the cellar.