Hammerschmiede Profile

Hammerschmiede is a small distiller and retailer based in Elsbach, Germany, to the west of the South Harz Nature Park, where the Elsbach and Jorge rivers meet. The business produces a range of spirits, liqueurs and whiskies at its Glen Els distillery, including the Harzer single malt Germany whisky. However the distiller has also bottled a handful of Scotch whiskies under its own Old Blacksmith Malt Whisky Collection series. 

Image

Hammerschmiede History

Hammerschmiede was founded in 1985 by Karl-Theodor Buchholz and his wife Pirkko-Helena as a restaurant situated in a 13th century blacksmith’s workshop, with a small still for spirits production. The couple started out producing herbal liqueurs, but as demand grew and tourists to the region faltered, in 1998 Hammerschmiede’s focus turned fully toward spirit production.

Buchholz opened shops in Wernigerode (2002), Braunschweig and Wolfsburg (both in 2003), however all closed shortly after.

In 2002 the decision was made to begin distilling malt whisky, and Hammerschmiede became Germany’s third whisky producer. The business moved production to a large warehouse in Zorge (its current premises), and the distillery became known as Glen Els.

The distillery shop sold a small range of independent Scotch single malt whisky bottlings between 2008 and 2012, but no longer bottles anything other than its own Glen Els single malt. 

Contact

Address
Hammerschmiede Spirituosen
Eisbach 11A
Zorge
D-37449
Germany
Phone
+49 55 86 82 82
Map

See also

  • Alambic Classique Alambic Classique Alambic Classique Independent bottler

    Alambic Classique

    German bottler and importer known in particular for indy releases of aged Ledaig and Ben Nevis.

  • Flickenschild Flickenschild Flickenschild Own-label

    Flickenschild

    German whisky and cigar merchant that offers customers occasional single casks under its own label.

  • Feinkost Reifferscheid Feinkost Reifferscheid Feinkost Reifferscheid Independent bottler

    Feinkost Reifferscheid

    Low-key but prolific German whisky bottler and delicatessen run by a husband-and-wife team.

  • Krügers Whiskygalerie Krügers Whiskygalerie Krügers Whiskygalerie Independent bottler

    Krügers Whiskygalerie

    A multifarious whisky shop, museum, café and independent bottler based in Rendsburg, Germany.

Scroll To Top