We are thrilled to introduce our latest small-batch release — Bending Branch Peach Brandy — a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the luscious, nostalgic flavor of summer peaches.

Distilled with care in Hackettstown, NJ, this spirit captures the essence of peach season — bright, aromatic, brimming with flavor and calling to mind a walk through a New Jersey peach orchard in full bloom. Whether enjoyed neat or in a crafted cocktail, it’s a sip of summer, any time of year.

The Roots of Fruit Brandy: A Spirit with Many Names

Fruit brandy has deep roots in European tradition, with each region putting its own name and spin on the craft. In the Balkans, rakija is the drink of welcome — shared at weddings, holidays, and family visits. Hungarians celebrate pálinka, a spirit so tied to national pride that it’s protected by law. In France, eau-de-vie — “water of life” — transforms ripe fruit into a crystal-clear expression of the harvest.

Different names, different fruits, but the same idea: take the season’s sweetest bounty and preserve it in liquid form so it can be shared long after the harvest.

Traditional Rakija distilling in the Balkans

Fruit Brandy Comes to America

When European immigrants arrived in the United States, they brought their distilling traditions with them. Across the country, they adapted to the fruits available locally — apples in the Northeast, berries in the Midwest, and, where the climate was right, peaches.

By the 19th century, New Jersey was known for its abundant peach orchards, producing fruit so sweet and aromatic that it was shipped far beyond the Garden State. Even today, Jersey peaches remain an icon of summer — a fragrance and flavor that instantly takes you to warm afternoons and orchard rows heavy with fruit.

Apple Harvest for Armagnac (French apple brandy), 19th century

Bending Branch Peach Brandy: A Modern Take on an Old Tradition

Our Peach Brandy is crafted from high-quality natural peach juice, fermented and distilled with precision to preserve the bright, true flavor of the fruit. The result is a smooth, aromatic spirit with gentle floral notes, rich stone-fruit character, and a finish that lingers like a summer memory.

It’s inspired by centuries of rakija, pálinka, and eau-de-vie — but with a distinct nod to the charm of New Jersey orchards in July.

A Toast to Peaches, People, and Place

Fruit brandy’s story spans continents and generations — from European villages to American farms, from orchard traditions to craft distillery tasting rooms.

With Bending Branch Peach Brandy, we honor that journey. This is more than a spirit; it’s a celebration of the timeless connection between fruit, place, and the people who turn it into something remarkable.

Available soon in our tasting room — come raise a glass with us and enjoy the taste of a peach orchard, no matter the season.

Here’s to tradition. Here’s to peaches. Here’s to your next pour.

Cheers! 🍑🥂