Résumé: Rugenbräu AG – Whisky focus for enthusiasts and investors

History

• 1866: The Indermühle family founded a brewery and distillery business in Interlaken; family ownership established a tradition of craftsmanship and quality-conscious production.

• 1875: The Rock Cellar is built in Rugen, which has since become a central storage location for distillates and hop-based products.

• 1880–1895: The brewery is reorganized and moved, and the company undergoes several ownership changes and mergers, which leads to the establishment of the name and structure later known as Rugenbräu.

• 1920–1935: Mergers between local breweries and corporate formations lead to a consolidated Interlaken-based entity.

• 1968: The founding of Rugenbräu AG as a joint-stock company.

• 1999: The first official beer brand (ølbrand) distilled in Switzerland, enabling whisky production in Switzerland.

• 2008: Launch of Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky.

• 2010: Construction of the Rugen Distillery directly above the brewery, a presentation that is unique in Switzerland today.

• 2010–2024: Since then, the brewery and distillery have remained family-owned for more than 150 years, with ongoing innovation and expansions (e.g., various releases, new facilities, and achievements).

• 2018–2025: Expansions and thematic storage (e.g., tropical climate, ice aging, tropical gardens, bee initiatives, CO2 vessels, etc.) and continued award and medal recognitions, indicating ongoing and active development in both beer and spirits.

Production

• Core premises: Traditional craftsmanship combined with modern technology; distillates and spirits are produced and aged with a focus on high quality.

• Distillation process and aging:

• Whisky finished in Oloroso Sherry casks; aged in the historic Rugen Felsenkeller (rock cellar) since 1875.

• The distillation facility sits above the brewery and is an integral part of a unique Swiss presentation.

• Some whiskies have unique aging environments, including:

  • Rock cellar (stable conditions in the Felsenkeller) for aging Swiss Mountain Whisky.

  • Tropical conditions in the Tropenhaus Frutigen (Master Distiller Tropical House Edition).

  • Ice climate at Jungfraujoch (ICE LABEL Edition – a whisky matured in eternal ice).

• Annual production figures are not provided in the available texts.

• Development and innovation: Historical and contemporary examples show a continual blend of tradition and innovation (e.g., releases of Master Distiller Editions and special Barrel Editions).

Whisky products

• Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky CLASSIC

• Alcohol: 46% vol.

• Price: from 32 CHF

• Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky DOUBLE BARREL

• Alcohol: 43% vol.

• Price: 49 CHF

• Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky ICE LABEL 2025

• Alcohol: 52.2% vol.

• Price: 157 CHF

• Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky ROCK LABEL

• Alcohol: 50.1% vol.

• Price: 69 CHF

• Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky TWO LAKES

• Alcohol: 40% vol.

• Price: 38 CHF

• MASTER DISTILLER EDITION III (Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky)

• Price and details not provided in the available texts

• MASTER DISTILLER EDITION IV (Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky)

• Price and details not provided in the available texts

• MASTER DISTILLER EDITION II (Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky)

• Price and details not provided in the available texts

• MASTER DISTILLER EDITION No. VII (Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky)

• Price and details not provided in the available texts

• YB Master Whisky

• New launch in 2024; price not provided in the available texts

Note: In addition to these whisky products, further Master Distiller Editions and various special editions are mentioned in the news and shop pages, but prices or details are not provided for all of them in the given texts.

Tasting notes

• Two Lakes (Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky):

• Nose: Subtle honey and vanilla notes with dried grape notes.

• Taste: Fresh and fruity start; subtle roasted notes complemented by coffee and chocolate tones; a retronasal finish with a complex flavor profile.

• Finish: Velvet-soft texture with medium body and a faceted mouthfeel.

• Other notes for other whiskies are not explicitly described in the available texts.

Events and News

• General news and medals:

• 2018: Master Distiller Edition II launched; 4 medals at IWSC 2018 (Gold for Swiss Crystal Gin; Silver for Classic and Ice Label; Bronze for Swiss Mountain Whisky Liqueur).

• 2019: Rock Label launched; Eiszapfen (Brewer Edition No. 1) launched; DistiSuisse and Swiss Beer Awards recognize several products.

• 2020: Ice Label Edition 2020 launched; Master Distiller Edition III; IWSC 2020 medals; Swiss Spirit Awards; new packaging guidelines and other infrastructure projects.

• 2021: Master Distiller Edition Gold at IWSC; more medals at DistiSuisse.

• 2022: Master Distiller Edition IV (Tropenhaus Edition I) launched; Tropenhaus storage and Tropical Garden activities; Swiss Beer Day revived with an open house; auction for open distilleries (Rugen Distillery Auction) in collaboration with FreeTheBees.

• 2023: CWSA and IWSC medals (Gold for Classic and Rock Label; Bronze for Two Lakes; Gold for Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky Classic/ Rock Label at CWSA 2023); Master Distiller Editions II and Tropenhaus Edition II (180+ bottles) launched; helicopter lowering of a filled whisky cask into Lake Hinterstocken; new CO2 tank and infrastructure investments.

• 2024: The Wall-Bar at the foot of the Eiger opened; distributor change in the spirits segment; MOB Golden Pass Express passengers can enjoy Rugenbräu on the train.

• 2025: Rugen Distillery receives IWSC medals (Gold for Master Distiller Edition No. 7; additional medals at IWSC 2025); Master Distiller Edition VII launched and Gold status at IWSC 2025; northern and Alpine partnerships continue; preservation of innovation (e.g., physical archives and tropical operations).

• Visits and tours:

• Guided tours of Rugenbräu and Rugen Distillery: about a 2-hour tour with beer tastings and whisky-related elements; tours conducted in German and can be booked with English or French adaptations.

• Visit to Gnuss-Wält, tasting bar, and the possibility for personalized recommendations and gift ideas.

The Company's Philosophy and Values

• Overall identity: Tradition, craftsmanship, and quality – an independent, family-owned brewery and distillery since 1866.

• Mission and values: Tradition, Innovation, Enthusiasm, and Culture; partnerships and high product quality through controlled raw materials and adherence to food safety.

• Focus areas: Quality, sustainability, and corporate responsibility (e.g., SBV code of conduct and sustainability certifications such as FSSC 22000 and EnAW).

• Conscious consumption philosophy: responsible and mindful enjoyment of alcoholic beverages; focus on responsible marketing and protecting youth.

• Note: The texts contain many details about products and events, and there may be additional releases and activities beyond those mentioned here. This summary focuses on the most clearly documented information on the given pages.