Bio Bätzi Apfelbrand – Einfach Schnaps

Since 1918, Humbel has distilled the soul of Swiss orchards into honest, characterful spirits. A century after Max Humbel first fired up his farm’s copper still in Stetten, the family continues to produce fruit distillates grounded in tradition, organic farming, and old-growth Hochstamm trees.
Bio Bätzi is their modern interpretation of an old Bernese classic — an apple brandy whose name reaches back to the days when a “Batzen” coin bought you a glass.

• Producer: Humbel Spezialitätenbrennerei AG, Stetten (Aargau)
• Fruit: Bio Mostäpfel (Organic cider apples; mixed heirloom varieties)
• Origin: Aargau & Canton Zurich orchards
• Tree type: Hochstamm (old, tall, traditional apple trees)
• Quantity: ~7 kg of apples per 70cl bottle
• Certification: Bio Suisse · Knospe · Hochstamm Suisse
• Distillation: Copper pot stills · 40% ABV
  
• 700 ml

Origin & Production 

“Bätzi” is a word deeply tied to Humbel’s history: an old Bernese expression traditionally used in the distillery since its first generation. One story says the name comes from the Batzen, the coin that once paid for a glass of apple schnapps.

This organic Bätzi is produced from a balanced blend of different Mostäpfel (cider apples) from Aargau and Zurich — selected precisely because mixing varieties creates a fuller, more expressive distillate.

The apples grow on Hochstamm trees, tall and long-lived orchard giants that support biodiversity, stabilize Switzerland’s rural landscapes, and provide apples that develop intense flavour over time. These apples are only harvested when the trees let them fall naturally; from there, they go directly to the distillery for immediate processing.

Choosing Hochstamm fruit is both a quality decision and an ecological commitment: with every bottle purchased, you help support the preservation of Switzerland’s historic orchard trees.

Tasting Notes

• Aroma: Fresh apple, peel, hints of blossom and orchard floor.

• Palate: Crisp and elegant, with natural apple sweetness leading into a clean, dry finish typical of Hochstamm fruit.

• Texture: Light, refreshing, linear — a true apple snapshot in spirit form.

How to Enjoy

• Neat: Sip 20–30ml at room temperature to appreciate the fruit clarity.

• Digestif: After a meal, especially with apple tart or lighter desserts.

• Apple Hot Toddy:

  • 4cl Bio Bätzi

  • 20cl Hochstamm apple juice

  • 10cl lager beer

  • ½ cinnamon stick + 1 cardamom pod
    Warm apple juice, beer & spices; combine with Bio Bätzi and garnish with dried apple.

• Bätzi Negroni (from the PDF):

  • 3cl Bio Bätzi

  • 3cl Rosso Vermouth

  • 3cl Bitter 25
    Pour over ice, stir well, garnish with lemon zest.

Why This Bottle Belongs in Your Collection

• From a distillery with 100+ years of uninterrupted craft tradition.
  

• Made from Swiss heirloom apples grown on old-growth Hochstamm trees.

• Certified organic (Bio Suisse) with clean, traceable fruit sourcing.

• Part of a fresh, younger-leaning line from Humbel — approachable, mixable, and ideal for discovery.

• A standout for both enthusiasts and newcomers exploring fruit distillates.