History

Diesdorfer is a family-owned company in Diesdorf/Altmark, which has produced high-quality fruit beverages, fruit wines and noble distillates for generations. The company places great emphasis on regionality, sustainability and environmental considerations, and they work closely with numerous small producers from Altmark.

Early activities and growth

The foundation was laid on 13.12.1925, when life as a food company began with ice production, sales of confectionery and deliveries to parties and events as well as wine trading and groceries. In 1935 the first wage pressing of rhubarb and apples for juice and fruit wine began. The sons Paul and Hans Schulz took over in 1956, and in 1954 a new operations house was built and the press house expanded to handle berries and fruit as well as deliveries to wholesalers.

Expansions and Noble Distillery

During the 1960s and 1980s, management was continued by Stefan and Tatiana Schulz, and the machinery and production were continuously modernized. In 2006 Diesdorfer Edeldestille opened, where hand-picked ripe fruits were processed into fruit brandies and geist. Production takes place according to artisanal principles in small batches.

Oldmark Whisky and later development

In 2010 Oldmark Whisky was introduced as the first single malt whisky produced in the Altmark. This name ties the production to the region's geographical origin and the history of Olde Mark in the Low German language world. After the Reformation the whisky is aged in midsize oak casks of French Limousin oak and German Spessart oak with medium toasting, and the required aging time is at least three years before bottling. Since 2014 Oldmark Whisky has received international medals through the DESTILLATA jury.

Bottlings and Special Editions

Oldmark Whisky is bottled in small quantities and twice a year standard and Piper’s Edition are released—a special edition made from smoked barley malt and bottled at cask strength (56% vol.). Each bottle is hand-signed by the brewer, Dipl.-Ing. Matthias Schulz, and available in selected sizes (0.1 L, 0.35 L and 0.5 L). Some bottles are also available in the estate shop and by mail order.

Philosophy and awards

The production of Oldmark Whisky and other products is highlighted by a strong regional identity and a focus on quality over quantity. Oldmark Whisky has been recognized since 2014 through various DESTILLATA medals, underscoring continued international recognition of the products.

Production / Manufacturing

General approach

Diesdorfer produces whisky in-house, in small batches, as part of a larger family business that also produces fruit juices, fruit wines and distillates. Fermentation takes place in controlled, temperate fermentation beds, and the finished mash is gently distilled in the Edeldestille to a fruity, colorless malt spirit (new make).

Raw materials and process

For the whisky, regional quality malt from German barley is used, which is crushed roughly and malted in the house’s process. Fermentation takes place under controlled conditions in tempered tanks, and the mash is then distilled in the Edeldestille. After distillation the fruity, colorless malt spirit is aged in midsize oak casks (60 L/100 L) of French Limousin oak and German Spessart oak with medium toasting, to achieve a complex flavor and character.

Maturation and bottling

The whisky matures for several years in the warm aging cellar, after which it is diluted to drinking strength with distillation water and hand-filled into numbered bottles. Each bottle features a distinctive label motif showing a typical Altmark mill as a symbol for the malt processing, and each bottle is hand-signed by the brewer to create a unique product.

Production rhythm and releases

Oldmark Whisky is bottled in 0.1 L, 0.35 L and 0.5 L bottles, and about two releases per year take place—a standard and a special edition (Piper’s Edition). Piper’s Edition is characterized by the use of smoked barley malt and is released as cask strength in certain yearly sets. Contact is possible via info@diesdorfer.de for orders and inquiries, and some bottles are available in the estate shop.

Medals and recognition

Since 2014 Oldmark Whisky has regularly received international medals through the DESTILLATA jury, indicating continued high quality and recognition.

Products / Whisky Series

Oldmark Whisky

Oldmark Whisky is the first single malt whisky produced in the Altmark. Production takes place in the house’s Edeldestille and yields a colorless malt spirit that matures in French Limousin oak and German Spessart oak casks. The bottling occurs after maturation to drinking strength and includes hand-signed bottles as unique products. There are two annual releases available in 0.1 L, 0.35 L and 0.5 L, with standard and Piper’s Edition.

Piper’s Edition

Piper’s Edition is a special edition derived from malt made from smoked barley malt and bottled after three years of maturation at cask strength (56% vol.). This edition is strictly limited and offers a distinctly malty profile with lightly smoky notes and hints of caramel and honey. In addition to the standard releases, Piper’s Edition is often quickly sold out at launch.

Availability and sales

The whisky is sold primarily through the estate shop in Diesdorf and by mail order within the German region. Some bottles can also be found in the estate shop. The offerings include 0.1 L, 0.35 L and 0.5 L bottles, and orders can be placed via email.

Visits / Experiences

Estate shop and opening hours

The estate shop is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, and Saturday from 08:00 to 12:00. Further information and contact can be found through the company.

The region and cultural heritage

Diesdorfer focuses on regionality and uses locally sourced fruit and raw materials in many products, giving customers an authentic Altmark experience with a wide range of juices, fruit wines, mulled wine (glühwein) and distillates in the portfolio.

Philosophy

Customer offering and sustainability

Customer satisfaction and quality are at the center, not quantity. The company emphasizes regionality, sustainability and environmental responsibility, and works with many smaller producers in the Altmark to preserve and strengthen local culture and business.

Tradition and craftsmanship

Oldmark Whisky and other distillates express a blend of tradition and craftsmanship, where every step—from malting and distilling to aging and bottling—is performed with care and attention to detail, and where each bottle is a unique signature of the brewer.