Top 8 Pear Brandies to Try

Pear brandy launched the St. George brand. St. George Pear Brandy entered the spirit world in 1982, becoming an instant hit among drinkers. The spirit, made of organic Bartlett pears, swept the competition in the Destillata blind tasting. St. George uses only dry-farmed pears, which have a potent, concentrated flavor. As a result, St. George Pear Brandy tastes intensely fruity. The spirit makes delicious cocktails and a fantastic digestif.

In 1985, Clear Creek distillery set out with a simple goal: challenge Europe's fruit-based spirit dominance. Clear Creek uses locally-grown fruit. The Pacific-Northwest distillery makes its brandy from Mount Hood spring water. Clear Creek Pear Brandy uses 20 pounds of pears for every bottle of crystal clear spirits. The strong fruit taste infuses every sip.

Massenez Poire Williams Pear Brandy includes a full pear in every bottle of spirits. G.E. Massenez attaches the bottle to the tree branches and allows the pear to grow directly in the vessel. The perfectly clear spirit tastes strongly of fruit. Licorice, vanilla, and jam round out the flavor profile, making the brandy sweet and easy on the palate.

Michigan’s own Rhine Hall Pear Brandy captures the taste of Bartlett pears. The distillery sources its fruit from small, local farms. Rhine Hall is hands-on in their brandy-making approach. The company sorts and mashes the fruit by hand. Rhine Hall imported a German Column Still to achieve an authentic fruit brandy taste. Pear anchors the flavor profile. White flowers and slate provide the brandy’s finish.

The Schladerer distillery began making fruit brandies in 1844. The brand carefully selects the best hand-picked pears and cool ferments its brandy into one of the best on the market. Schladerer Williams Pear Brandy is fruit-forward with undertones of pimento, pepper, and mace. Despite the spicy elements, the spirit is mild and smooth on the tongue.

R. Jelinek traces its roots more than 400 years back. The Czech distillery specializes in slivovitz, however, its pear brandy proves the brand isn’t a one-trick pony. Jelinek outsources its pear growth to Chile. The company built a distillery there to take advantage of the superior Williams pears grown there. The clear brandy is mild, with a delicate pear flavor. Enjoy it served ice-cold.

Kammer Williams Pear in a Bottle Brandy lives up to its name. The spirit does, indeed, contain a full pear in each vessel. Like Massenez Poire Williams, Kammer grows the pear directly in the bottle. The distillery fills the vessel with brandy made from Williams pears. Kammer Williams Pear in Bottle Brandy has a potent pear flavor. The spirit is pleasantly sweet without being cloying.

Poli Pere Pear Brandy dedicates considerable time and care to produce the finest spirit. The distillery harvests Williams pears and allows them to ripen to perfection in baskets. Poli distills the brandy in a bain-marie alembic built to specifications outlined in 1500. The care pays off; Poli Pere Pear Brandy has a delicate fruit flavor, complemented by white blossoms.