Northoff Feinbrennerei

Northoff Feinbrennerei – Summary for Whisky Enthusiasts and Investors

History

• Northoff Feinbrennerei is a family-owned distillery in Hultrop, the Lippe region, and describes itself as a sixth-generation company.

• Its origins go back to before 1750, and the site's location by the Soester Börde was recognized for its fertile soils.

• The post station at Hultrop was active from 1787, and the distillery historically combined agriculture, innkeeping, and distilling activities in one integrated business.

• During World War I the Brennanlæg was dismantled, during World War II potatoes were used as raw material, and after the war the operation was rebuilt with a greater focus on fruit and Kräuterliköre (herbal liqueurs).

• In the 1960s and onward market trends changed, and from the 1980s the facility was modernized with automated control systems.

• In 2013 management passed from Wilhelm Northoff to Stefan Northoff, while the distillation expertise remained carried by the family and the master distiller.

Production

• Focus on agricultural raw materials: grain from regional farmers; all raw materials and products go through their own distillation processes without industrial alcohol.

• Most products go through two complete Brenndurchgänge (two distillation runs).

• Feinbrand-process is carried out with high precision: separation of alcohol fractions via a Feinbrennblase and a Rektifikation with 56 Siebböden, which yields a pure alcohol base and defines aromas.

• Main steps in the process: Henzedämpfer (oplukning af korn med damp), Einmaischbottich (omdannelse af stivelse til sukker), Gärbottiche (gæring), followed by Feinbrand and Brände (kornbrand, whisky and fruit brandies).

• Rohalkohol is delivered at 50–80% ABV, after which the final strength is adjusted to drinking strength; certain batches are stored in forskelligforbehandlede fade to achieve the desired aroma.

• Feinbrand can produce alcohol up to about 96.8% ABV; water from the source is used to bring to drinking strength.

• For liqueurs use fruit pulp, natural or nature-identical aromas and sugar; ingredients are disclosed beyond legal requirements.

• Special products and customer-specific solutions offered: Sonderabfüllungen, customer-specific flavor developments and complete new developments of liqueurs and Feinbrände; Rohalkohol from different raw materials is also available to customers in the food and other industries.

• Sustainability and animal husbandry: own Galloway cattle production since 1987, where the animals are outdoors year-round; the by-product Schlempe is used as a nutritious feed supplement.

• 200+ years of tradition in craft and technical innovation: distillation and control are managed with a focus on quality and transparency.

Whisky products

• No specific named whisky products are explicitly listed in the text. The distillery is described as a source for Kornbrand and whisky within the framework of its general distillation process, but no concrete single malts or named whisky releases are mentioned.

Tasting notes (characteristics)

• Emphasizes clear aromas through two distillation passes and careful fractionation, enabling development of different flavor profiles.

• The special Kornbrand Alte Post is limited to one cask and aged in differently pre-treated casks, giving each batch a new and uniquely distinct aroma.

• The distillates are described as giving herb aromas (noticeable bitterness) or fruity-sweet notes, depending on fermentation materials and added aromas; liqueurs and fruit/herbal liqueurs form a broad flavor palette in the company's range.

• Through the description of harsh and natural aromas in liqueurs as well as the oak aromas from the casks, one can expect further development of the aroma spectrum primarily in Kornbrand and Whisky within their production.

Events and News

• Tours of the distillery are offered; planned tours are expected to resume from April 2024 (contact required for details and group sizes).

• Example of a past event: in 2017 they developed a Black Pepper Liqueur with glitter for an event.

• The company works as a system partner for retailers and offers individual flavor developments, complete new product development (especially in the liqueur area) and storage of special-distilled products.

• Deliveries include purified alcohol from 92 to 96.8% for the food and other industries; deliveries to all of Germany and EU countries.

Company philosophy and values

• Strong belief in craft, quality and transparency: the company is committed to authentic flavor and uses only its own alcohols without industrial alcohol.

• Family-owned and not a corporation: decisions and production are handled by the family throughout the process—from distillation to packaging—providing personal and engaged customer service.

• Focus on sustainability and animal welfare: long-standing Galloway cattle production and use of Schlempe as a nutritious feed supplement.

• Commitment to innovation and adaptation: continuous modernization since the 1980s, as well as development of Sonderabfüllungen, customer-specific products and Neuentwicklungen in collaboration with customers.

• Responsible alcohol consumption and safety: the company advocates responsible drinking and age verification.