SLYRS Distillery Information
SLYRS BAVARIAN WHISKY DISTILLERY
It all starts with a bet, back in 1994: Trained brewer and master distiller Florian Stetter goes on a study trip to Scotland with his fellow master distillers. He is surprised by the similarities he discovers with his native Upper Bavaria: mountains, clear water and wonderfully pure air. In addition, there is the sometimes challenging stubbornness of the Scots, which seems very Bavarian to him, a dialect that is difficult to decipher and a pronounced penchant for free statehood. Even the Scottish national costume, the kilt, seems as peculiar to him as Bavarian lederhosen.
So much Scottish-Bavarian cross-over and his visits to the world-famous distilleries of the Speyside region inspire Florian Stetter’s vision of producing an Upper Bavarian single malt whisky. He bets his colleagues a crate of beer that first-class whisky can also be distilled in Upper Bavaria – and he wins! In 1999, the first SLYRS whisky is distilled in his parents’ small fruit brandy distillery. But this is just the beginning of the SLYRS story.
The SLYRS whisky distillery in Neuhaus am Schliersee was built in 2007. This marked a milestone in German whisky production and established the region as an important location for high-quality single malt whisky. With state-of-the-art technology and traditional craftsmanship, the distillery has been setting standards in the production of first-class German whisky ever since.
The year 2010 marked a significant milestone for the distillery with the release of the first SLYRS PX and Oloroso Cask Finishes. These unique expressions were distinguished by their special maturation in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, imparting a distinctive flavor profile to the whisky.
In 2014, the construction of the SLYRS Mountain Warehouse atop Mount Stümpfling at 1501 meters altitude provides unique conditions for whisky maturation, coinciding with a remarkable achievement for SLYRS as it was awarded the coveted title of “Best European Whisky under 12 years” at the World Whiskies Awards. The year 2015 witnessed the official sale of the first SLYRS Aged 12 Years, representing another significant milestone in the distillery’s history. 2019 saw the introduction of the first SLYRS Mountain Edition, matured inside the unique SLYRS Mountain Warehouse and reflecting the unique environment of the Bavarian Alps. Finally, in 2023, the first SLYRS Single Malt Whisky Aged 18 Years was released, further underscoring the maturity and quality of SLYRS products. The year 2024 is characterized by plans for a significant expansion of production capacities to meet the growing demand and solidify SLYRS’ position as a leading German whisky producer.
With great attention to detail, the unique distillery on Lake Schliersee produces an absolute gem in the heart of the Bavarian Alps. Under the leadership of managing director and master distiller Hans Kemenater SLYRS Bavarian Whisky Distillery stands for the highest quality products. The whisky pioneers from Upper Bavaria are true distillers of conviction.
The absolute passion with which the SLYRS distillers practise their craft is the prerequisite for the unique quality of the whiskies and liqueurs, which have won several international awards.