Williams Pear Brandy – 700 ml

Gölles Williams Pear Brandy 700 ml. The clear pear classic for the home bar.

Williams Pear Brandy from the Gölles distillery is presented here in a 700-ml bottle for the home bar and entertaining guests, a crystal-clear fine brandy made from ripe Williams pears. No barrel aging, no added sugar, no laboratory-made aromas.

Williams Pear Brandy is a fruit brandy double-distilled in copper stills by the Gölles distillery in Riegersburg, Styria. Few fruit brandies are as widely enjoyed as Williams, and almost none are so readily recognized at the table. The Williams pear provides plenty of sugar and aroma, making it a highly rewarding fruit for distillers. What distinguishes a good Williams from an ordinary one is the timing of the harvest and care during distillation. The large bottle is ideal for anyone who serves it regularly.

An aroma everyone recognizes at the table

Gölles Williams has the unmistakable aroma of ripe, juicy pear and is slightly reminiscent of Nashi. In the background are notes of fresh grey bread and a hint of apricot. On the palate, it is full-bodied, smooth, and fruit-forward. The alcohol supports the pear rather than overpowering it.

For guests who have previously known fruit brandy only as a harsh spirit, this is often a pleasant surprise. However, it is not intended for lovers of wood, vanilla, and amber color; they will need a barrel-aged brandy. The clear Williams is only ever kept in a glass balloon, which is why it tastes of fruit rather than oak.

Pour, cook, refine

The 700-ml bottle can be poured into around 35 glasses of 2 cl each, enough for several evenings with guests. Serve the brandy at 16 to 18 °C in tall tulip glasses. Ice cubes dampen the aromas, so they should not be added to the glass.

The large bottle proves its worth in the kitchen. A splash of Williams in pear sorbet, the cream for a pear Charlotte, or the marinade for slow-cooked pears with game enhances the fruit. 4 cl is enough to flambé pear slices in butter and brown sugar. It is less suitable for cocktails with many ingredients, where its delicate pear note would be lost.

Good to know: According to Gölles, a fine brandy has an unlimited shelf life as long as the bottle is stored upright, in a cool, dark place. The large bottle is therefore not a risk even for occasional drinkers. To try it beforehand, the brandy is also available as a smaller 350-ml bottle.

Two distillations, one heart

In Riegersburg, every distillate is distilled twice, because only the second run achieves the desired clarity. The first distillation runs for three to four hours. This is followed by the second distillation for four to six hours, during which the distillers separate the fore- and tail-ends.

What remains is the heart, accounting for around 70 percent, in which the pear flavor is most pronounced. It is then left to rest in a glass balloon until it becomes soft and rounded. The pears are harvested in August and September, as soon as they are juicy and yellow. A few days too late, and the fruit becomes mealy.

Gölles exclusively produces fine brandies, meaning distillates made from one hundred percent fruit. No sugar, flavorings, or other alcohols are added. Alois Gölles co-founded the Quinta Essentia association, which enshrines this exact standard for its members.

The perfect bottle for entertaining

The 700-ml bottle is the ideal choice for hosts who wish to offer a clear fruit brandy after a meal that will not overwhelm anyone. Alongside a selection of bolder brandies, the Williams provides an approachable introduction. As a gift for a household that enjoys entertaining, it is a safe choice.

Allow two to three weeks after delivery for the bottle to stand unopened. During this time, the brandy settles and the aromas come together. After that, it will be ready at any time for spontaneous visitors.

A pear brandy that complements any dinner table and shows guests what Williams tastes like when nothing but fruit is in the glass.