Intro

The Whisky Trek will undoubtedly set the pulse racing of any whisky collector or connoisseur. In fact, you can now upgrade a hike in beautiful surroundings or multiple tours in the Alpstein by adding that something extra for whisky lovers.

Since May 2015, visitors to the Alpstein mountains in the Appenzell Alps can embark on the highest whisky trek in the world. The brainchild of the Locher brewery – famous for its Säntis Malt whisky – and the Bergwirte-Verein Alpstein (Alpstein mountain landlords’ association), the trek offers whisky-tasting like you’ve never experienced it before.
Sepp Manser, landlord at the Berggasthaus Meglisalp mountain inn, came up with the idea of creating a whisky trek when he decided to serve up his own, unique version of Säntis Malt in 2012. His idea very swiftly became a reality – all 26 of the associated local mountain inns have now joined the trail, each with their very own barrel of whisky on hand for on-site tasting.
 
Each of these barrels of whisky contains the same basic distillate, Säntis Malt made by the Locher brewery. But that’s where the similarity ends: Each of the barrels is unique, differing from the others in the type of wood used in its construction and its previous contents. The barrels are made from American, Portuguese, French or Russian oak, and were previously filled with desert wine, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon, Gamay, Zweigelt, port, sherry, rum, bourbon, damson schnapps or even beer. This diversity results in 26 totally unique flavours along the Appenzell Whisky Trek.
 
Just seeing the barrels is an experience, not to mention the tasting of the whisky itself. As well as varying in flavour, the different whiskies each boast a different colour, with shades ranging from amber and white gold through to rose gold and deep copper.
 
The exclusivity of the unique whiskies is upheld by ensuring that they are only available to taste in the individual mountain inn or to buy in small (1dl) or large (5dl) “one-of-a-kind” bottles, each signed personally by the “cask keeper” – the landlord.
 
The Appenzell Whisky Trek has a brand-new attraction:
an exclusive new trophy that you can see and even wear! If you collect all 26 whiskies on the Alpstein whisky trek, you’ll be rewarded with a new “finisher trophy” – an original Appenzell belt with a genuine silver buckle, designed by Alpine saddler Roger Dörig. This reward replaces all previous collectors’ activities. 
As of 25 June 2021, every 100ml bottle of whisky you buy now comes with a “Fass-Bon”, or “barrel token”, which can be detached and stuck into the Whisky Trek collector’s pass. Once your pass is full, you will be rewarded with an exclusive leather belt featuring a genuine silver buckle, crafted by artisan leatherworker Roger Dörig (valued at CHF 350). You can choose the colour and length of your belt. The Whisky Trek belt buckle is only available as a Whisky Trek trophy and is not available for purchase. The campaign will run until the end of the 2023 season
The collector’s pass is available from participating mountain inns and from the Locher brewery’s “Brauquöll” visitors’ centre on Brauereiplatz in Appenzell. The belt can also be ordered there, or from Roger Dörig’s shop.
Old, expired Whisky Trek coupons are no longer valid but can be exchanged for a free 100ml bottle in the “Brauquöll” centre. The centre also still sells the decorative 9-bottle wooden storage shelf, which can be used to display your collection of treasures. 

We hope you enjoy this true feast for the senses in the Alpstein mountains, where the whisky is as breathtakingly unique as the surrounding scenery.

 

More information:
www.whiskytrek.com www.alpstein.ch

Information


www.saentismalt.com www.alpstein.ch

General information

Show Technical information content
Suitable for
Groups

Events

The contents listed here are maintained by the regional / local tourist offices or service providers, which is why Switzerland Tourism can not guarantee the contents.

Discover the surroundings

Contact

Brauerei Locher AG
Brauereiplatz 1
9050  Appenzell
Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)71 788 01 76
info@appenzellerbier.ch
appenzellerbier.ch
Show Route

Overview

Hint

Overview
Appenzell
Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein
Show on map

Contact

Brauerei Locher AG
Brauereiplatz 1
9050 Appenzell
Phone  +41 (0)71 788 01 76
appenzellerbier.ch
Show Route

Travel information: Appenzell

Current Offers

  • Hotel Heiden, A majestically located spa resort - Heiden Heiden package

    3 nights, Those who see further, think further. Seminars are long-term investments in people and... from CHF 660
    Offer details

    Price per person in a grand-lit room
    valid: 08.12.2024 - 20.12.2024

    Learn more about Heiden package
  • Sorell Hotel City Weissenstein, St. Gallen Discover St. Gallen

    2 nights, 2 Nights in Double room, breakfast buffet, Oskar Card (free local public transportation & many... from CHF 440
    Offer details

    Double room
    valid: 08.12.2024 - 30.03.2025

    Learn more about Discover St. Gallen
  • St. Gallen Picnic basket from Kündig Feinkost AG

    Picnic basket filled with regional specialities from Kündig Feinkost Original, hand-sewn BIGNIK... from CHF 52
    Offer details


    valid: 10.12.2024 - 20.12.2024

    Learn more about Picnic basket from Kündig Feinkost AG
  • St. Gallen St. Gallen Beer History(s)

    On this tour, everything revolves around the millennia-old cultural drink 'beer'. Because... from CHF 35
    Offer details


    valid: 25.04.2025 - 07.11.2025

    Learn more about St. Gallen Beer History(s)
  • St. Gallen Pleasure and vice

    From the hotspot of St.Gallen to the landmark of Paris, walk around the old town and listen to... from CHF 20
    Offer details


    valid: 20.05.2025 - 21.10.2025

    Learn more about Pleasure and vice
  • St. Gallen Medicine in old St. Gallen

    Join us on a medical history tour through St.Gallen. Find out who founded the oldest hospital in... from CHF 20
    Offer details


    valid: 21.03.2025 - 02.09.2025

    Learn more about Medicine in old St. Gallen
  • St. Gallen Wild gorge and romantic bathing ponds

    Time for spooky and exciting stories on a city walk. Join us on a search for clues! We will uncover... from CHF 20
    Offer details


    valid: 27.06.2025 - 12.09.2025

    Learn more about Wild gorge and romantic bathing ponds
  • Hotel Säntispark, Abtwil (Gaiserwald) Seminar day package special

    Versatile MICE infrastructure on over 600 m2! Meeting, training, company seminar, conference or... from CHF 79
    Offer details


    valid: 08.12.2024 - 31.12.2024

    Learn more about Seminar day package special
  • Hotel Säntispark, Abtwil (Gaiserwald) Seminar package half board special

    1 night, Multifaceted MICE infrastructure on over 600 m2! Meeting, training, company seminar, conference or... from CHF 255
    Offer details

    per single room
    valid: 08.12.2024 - 31.12.2024

    Learn more about Seminar package half board special
  • Untereggen Culinary hike "From course to course" – Fivecountry view

    Starter at Restaurant Bären Main course in the restaurant Rossbüchel Dessert at the Steiniger Tisch... from CHF 60
    Offer details


    valid: 11.12.2024 - 21.12.2024

    Learn more about Culinary hike "From course to course" – Fivecountry view