Tyrolean Schnapps Route. A Burning Passion

A fine spirit – a Tyrolean delight. Schnapps distilling is part of Tyrol’s culinary tradition. On the Tyrolean Schnapps Route, experience first-hand the fascination of transforming fruit into fine spirits right there on the spot. Austrian broadcaster ORF has also dedicated a special programme to fine spirits and the Tyrolean Schnaps Route on ‘Österreich Bild’.

In rural Tyrol, it is a tradition for many farms to produce Tyrolean schnapps with great care, expertise, time and love. Distilling is a key pillar of the local economy here. In the farm distilleries, around five million kilograms of fruit are processed into a wide variety of spirits every year.
International prizes and awards bear witness to the fact that Tyrolean fruit distillers are among the best in the world. Visitors to Tyrol appreciate this high standard of quality and the variety of products on offer. Combined with all the other delicacies produced by Tyrol’s farmers on a small, regional scale, this creates a culinary experience that can only be enjoyed in this form in the ‘Land im Gebirg’ (Land of the Mountains).

Schnapps distilling has been a tradition in Tyrol for centuries. Of the approximately 4,000 Tyrolean distilleries in existence today, around 2,500 have held distilling licences since the time of Maria Theresa. The tradition and knowledge surrounding these fine spirits are passed down from generation to generation, refined and constantly reinterpreted.

“All the businesses taking part in the Tyrolean Schnaps Route meet high quality standards,” explains Ulrich Zeni, who is responsible for fruit processing at the Tyrolean Chamber of Agriculture. Key aspects of the route are that visitors can experience the fruit’s origin, processing and tasting. “The journey of the fruit from the orchard to the finished spirit – every step is explained, followed by a tasting of a selection of spirits,” says Zeni. All participating businesses ensure their spirits meet the high quality requirements and regularly take part in further training courses. It is precisely these regular training programmes that ensure visitors receive expert yet easily understandable explanations of the distillation process and the fascination of schnapps production.

Agrarmarketing Tirol is a key partner in this project. For many years, its staff have been committed to promoting Tyrolean alpine cuisine. The ‘Qualität Tirol’ quality mark is the hallmark of genuine Tyrolean products that have been grown 100 per cent in Tyrol and refined here. They are characterised by regional production, short transport distances and, consequently, freshness.

Tyrolean spirits are unrivalled amongst the world’s finest in terms of their clarity, fruitiness and purity. These distillates reflect the result of years of consistent development work. Investment in training and further education are the cornerstones of this success. Aromatic fruit, precise fermentation control and the right distillery with polished copper stills are the key milestones on the path to absolute top quality. Many Tyrolean farm distillers produce these outstanding schnapps year after year. Characteristic of Tyrol’s farm distillers are the small batches, crafted to perfection using traditional methods. This is their hallmark; it sets them apart and makes them truly unique. Another distinctive feature sets many fine spirits from Tyrol apart: the Tyrolean schnapps bottle. It is the perfect ‘made-to-measure’ vessel for the ultimate enjoyment.