The Whisky

...is a mild, floral and many-facetted single malt whisky from the heart of Germany.

The story of the Harz Mountain single malt whisky  began in 2002, as a nameless project in the old forge (the original company building - built between 1250 and 1270) in the town of Wieda amidst the southern Harz Mountains.

While the company moved to the Elsbachtal (valley of the Els river) in the nearby village of Zorge, a name for the Harz Mountain single malt whisky was found - "The Glen Els"

Within the last 10 years this name became a synonymous for high-quality single malt whisky from the heart of Germany.

Even though The Journey is the most popular bottling, only about 13.000 bottles are produced every year.

In September 2019 the brand "The Glen Els" changed to ELSBURN.

...is the spicy Harz Mountain Malt, made by The Hercynian Distilling Co.

This single malt whisky combines an exceptional aroma of the New Make and powerful casks.

The name WILLOWBURN is based on the name of the river Wieda in our spiritual hometown. Wieda is based on the willow tree (in German "Weide").

...is the aromatic and most powerful Harz Mountain Malt, made by The Hercynian Distilling Co.

This single malt whisky gained many friends worldwide because of the exceptional aroma of powerful casks and the distinctive destillate with loads of wood smoke (beech & alder).

In 2007 this malt was born as the master distiller's personal project and the malt was not meant to be sold.

Since many malt lovers got really keen about this malt, especially after one of the most famous whisky critics, Jim Murray, rewarded this exceptional Single Malt with 95/100 Points and a liquid gold award in the WHISKY BIBLE, the master distiller decided to extend the production to a maximum of about 1500 bottles per year.

...is the most aromatic Harz Mountain Malt, made by The Hercynian Distilling Co.

This single malt whisky combines a heavily peated New Make with exceptional powerful (mostly Sherry) casks.

The name EMPEROR'S WAY is based on the main route through the Harz Mountains which was used by Kings and even the Kaiser himself in the medieval times.

Lower Saxonian peat was used to gain traditionally peated malt with about 35ppm.