G.E. Massenez "Poire Prisonniere" Poire Williams Pear Brandy

An icon of French distillation artistry, G.E. Massenez “Poire Prisonnière” is as visually captivating as it is aromatically pure. Pristine, expressive, and impossibly elegant, this legendary Poire Williams delivers vivid pear intensity with surgical precision—an objet d’art spirit that represents the pinnacle of fruit brandy craftsmanship.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Produced in Alsace by G.E. Massenez, Poire Prisonnière is among the most celebrated and technically demanding fruit brandies in the world. The name—“the imprisoned pear”—refers to the painstaking process by which a Williams pear is grown inside the bottle while still on the tree. Glass bottles are carefully affixed to the branch early in the growing season, allowing the pear to mature naturally inside, absorbing sunlight and developing full aromatic intensity.

Once harvested, ripe Williams pears are crushed and fermented to preserve their natural fruit character. Distillation is carried out slowly in traditional copper pot stills, with only the heart of the distillate retained. The spirit is bottled unaged and crystal clear, preserving absolute purity and transparency of fruit. The bottle containing the whole pear is then filled by hand with the finished eau-de-vie, creating a singular expression that unites agricultural patience, technical mastery, and visual poetry.

Critics Reviews
Poire Prisonnière is widely regarded by professional spirits judges and eau-de-vie specialists as a benchmark of the category. International tasting panels consistently score it in the mid-90s, praising its “astonishing aromatic precision” and “unmatched fidelity to fresh pear.” Spirits authorities frequently cite it as one of the world’s most technically impressive fruit brandies, lauding both its purity and flawless balance.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Explosively aromatic and pristine, offering vivid ripe Williams pear, pear blossom, fresh orchard fruit, and subtle floral sweetness.

Palate:
Silky, crystalline, and intensely fruit-driven, delivering pure pear flesh, gentle natural sweetness, and remarkable clarity. The texture is refined and seamless, with no excess heat.

Finish:
Long, elegant, and impeccably clean, leaving lingering notes of fresh pear and soft floral tones that fade with finesse.

Quick Overview