Notes: Warwick Valley winery is New York State’s first fruit distillery (since prohibition) located in the Hudson Valley area. Using New York State produce, they produce a wide range of quality products. They also have a winery, cidery and bistro. While we haven’t been there yet, the products we have sampled are wonderful and it sounds like a great place to visit. Warwicks pear eau de vie brandy is made from New York pears .

They also produce an apple brandy, a sour cherry cordial, a black currant cordial a bourbon barrel aged apple liqueur, and a Bartlett pear liqueur – all as part of their American Fruits series.

First Impression: A very aromatic but mild eau de vie. Wonderful rounded berry notes, with a very pleasant perfume like scent to it – rather than a raw spirit with fruit like many a lower quality fruit brandy or admixture. Somehow aromatic and jam like at the same time. Slight savory and mineral notes around the edges. Could on reflection be compared to a very nice grappa.

Appearance: Very clear, pristine in appearance. On swirling, leaves a oily even coat on the glass with long legs developing.

Taste: Smooth oily entry with touch of sweetness, then a little tartness and a pleasant warm of the front part of the tongue and a little on the sides (kind of peppery). Finish is medium and pleasant. Again a bit like a very high end grappa, you get a pleasant fruitiness but also alkali notes from the seeds, which has a double benefit – a very nice taste and lets you know this was made from real natural ingredients – not some chemical candy flavoring!

Drinks: Very nice as an aperitif or digestif. Note sure of any specific cocktails for it but we very much look forward to experimenting with it. I love finding an entirely new spirit to make cocktails with!

Bottle: Standard clear class 1/2 cylinder 1/2 neck glass brandy bottle with frosted band with currant bush branch silhouette and attractive graphics on back. Clear deep purple plastic knob top with synthetic cork to better preserve freshness.

Final Thoughts: A very pleasant and mild eau de vie (a rarity in and of itself ) price is also competitive for a spirit of this quality. First class quality and should be an interesting spirit with which to make cocktails. We look forward to mixing some great new cocktails with it. Another thing we like about their line is is the 375 ML size bottle – you can use it up and not worry about it going south before you reach the end. Definitely and highly recommend it!

Website: http://www.wvwinery.com/index.php?p=american_fruits

Nice pictures, some information.