Little Lord N° 04

Der kleine Lord N° 04 with peaty smoke and cherry

Der kleine Lord N° 04 is the smoky one among the Lords, matured in sherry, Islay whisky, and French oak casks. Peaty smoke, dark chocolate, and caramelized cherry at 42% ABV. Awarded Grain Brandy of the Year 2018.

A Kornbrand is the more robust relative of standard Korn and must have a minimum alcohol content of 37.5% ABV. The N° 04 from Werne exceeds this at 42% ABV and differs from its siblings in a second way: it is made not just from spelt, but from organically grown grain, and the casks come from three very different worlds.

Smoky, spicy, robust

The aroma alone makes it clear where this is heading. Peaty smoke leads the way, followed by dark chocolate and sweet, caramelized cherry.

On the palate, it becomes creamy and broad, the mouthfeel is long-lasting, and the smoke lingers without becoming overpowering. It finishes creamy, aromatic, and matured, with a dark sweetness that cushions the smoke.

Those who know the N° 03 will experience the opposite here. Where that one offers toffee and tranquility, this one offers a campfire and cherry. Both come from the same cellar, and that is exactly what makes the series so interesting.

A Kornbrand with a smoky note is a rarity in the German range, as the category traditionally stands for mildness and clarity. The N° 04 deliberately bucks that trend.

What an Islay cask contributes

The smoke does not come from the grain, but from the wood, as malt on Islay is traditionally dried over peat fires.

A whisky from there carries this smoke within it, and after years of resting in its cask, some of it remains in the wood. Anyone who subsequently fills it with grain brandy acquires exactly this note, without having burned any peat themselves.

To this, two counterparts are added. The sherry cask provides dark fruit and the cherry note, while the French oak contributes finer, spicier tannins than American wood. Three casks, three directions, and how Georg blends the proportions ultimately determines the character of the bottling.

Grain Brandy of the Year and Spirit of the Year

The N° 04 is the most highly decorated brandy from the house, measured by the type of titles it has received.

In 2018, it was named Kornbrand of the Year, followed by Spirit of the Year in 2020, and gold in 2022. A category title and an overall title for a brandy one would not have expected from a Westphalian grain distillery. The title "Kornbrand of the Year" carries particular weight because it refers to its own specific category rather than the open field. Hats off.

It is distilled and stored in Werne, where the family has worked since 1962 and where Theres and Georg have been running the business as the third generation since 2012. The series is named after their great-great-grandfather, who planted an entire oak forest in addition to spelt.

At 16 to 20 degrees, neat and slow

Serve it at 16 to 20 degrees in a bulbous cognac glass, ideally as a digestif and without ice.

Enjoyed neat and on its own, this grain brandy makes its introduction, as it takes a moment for the smoke to settle and the cherry to come to the front. Afterwards, it can handle robust company, such as dark chocolate with sea salt, dried fruits, or an aged mountain cheese. It also cuts a fine figure next to a cigar, should that be your evening. Those looking for an entry point should start with the N° 02, because this one has a clear opinion of its own. You can find the entire house in the Ehringhausen Distillery range.

Peat in a grain brandy glass. You have to come up with that first.

Organic inspection body DE-ÖKO-005 – German Agriculture