St. George Pear Brandy 750ml

Pear Brandy is genuinely St. George Spirits' own founding spirit — the flagship eau-de-vie the distillery has been producing for more than forty years, and the very product that first put St. George on the map when the distillery was founded in 1982. It takes a genuinely labor-intensive thirty to forty pounds of Bartlett pears to produce just one small batch, all sourced from dry-farmed Colorado orchards — a technique that deliberately withholds irrigation to conserve water in arid climates, concentrating the fruit's own character in the process. The pears are harvested at peak ripeness specifically to capture the true expression of that particular season, then whole pears are crushed and fermented in stainless steel for roughly a week, single-distilled in a copper Holstein still (including the distillery's original 250-liter still, custom-built for St. George in 1982, the same year the company was founded), and rested several months in stainless steel before bottling — with new-make spirit blended into batches from previous harvests to build consistency across releases.

Origins & Craftsmanship

St. George Spirits Pear Brandy is produced in Alameda, California, made from 100% Bartlett pears grown in Colorado, dry-farmed and harvested at peak ripeness. Whole pears are crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks for approximately one week, then single-distilled in a copper Holstein still, including St. George's original 250-liter still, custom-made by the Arnold Holstein Company in 1982, the same year the distillery was founded. The brandy rests several months in stainless steel before bottling, with new-make spirit incorporated into batches from previous harvests for consistency. Bottled at 40% ABV / 80 proof, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

Christopher Null, Drinkhacker:
"Pear brandy isn't exactly a universal crowd pleaser, but St. George's expression does plenty with the finicky fruit. A heavily perfumed, linen-laden nose... That astringent potpourri note is enduring, but not off-putting. The finish is the best part: cleansing and aromatic, with notes of fresh spring rain. Pear brandy isn't the most versatile product in the mixologist's arsenal, but if you decide you must have one on hand, give St. George Pear Brandy your attention."

Difford's Guide (extended tasting note):
"Crystal clear. Aromatic ripe pear skin and white pepper spice. Wonderfully clean and intense pear and cracked black pepper spice. Black pepper and lingering pear skin."

St. George Spirits (official tasting note):
"The nose is astonishingly fruit-forward, while the palate is dry but redolent of ripe Bartlett pears with subtle honey notes and a hint of spice. Further tasting reveals a buttery richness that's balanced by steely minerality."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Astonishingly fruit-forward, with ripe pear skin and white pepper spice leading, joined by fresh pear and honey, alongside subtle floral perfume.

Palate
Dry yet fruity, with ripe Bartlett pear carrying real intensity, developing honey, baking spice, and buttery richness, balanced by steely minerality and cracked black pepper.

Finish
Cleansing and aromatic, closing floral with lingering pear skin and a note of fresh spring rain.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Fresh pear tarts or poached pears
• Soft, creamy cheeses
• Light, delicate desserts
• Fruit-based salads

Serving Note

Enjoy neat, chilled, or as an elegant base for cocktails.