Korn: Grain spirit from German-speaking regions

Korn is a spirit produced exclusively through the distillation of a fermented mash made from whole cereal grains—wheat, rye, barley, oats, or buckwheat. The name is reserved for its German-speaking origin and is protected by EU spirit regulations. Here you will find Korn that has been aged in barrels for years, as well as a "Doppelkorn" with peat smoke, both distilled in the Münsterland region. The aged varieties in particular are made for the nosing glass and should be savored slowly, much like a cognac.

Korn, Kornbrand, Doppelkorn: the terminology

The difference lies in the alcohol content. Korn has at least 32% vol. From 37.5% vol, it may be called Kornbrand. A Doppelkorn is a Kornbrand with at least 38% vol. Korn shares the use of grain with vodka, but not the process: vodka is rectified until almost nothing of the raw material remains, whereas Korn is intentionally allowed to taste of bread, malt, and grain.

Lagerkorn: time in the barrel

A freshly distilled Korn is clear. When it matures in wooden barrels, it takes on color and flavor from the wood and from what was previously stored in the barrel. The Sasse fine distillery works with barriques that previously held cognac, with sherry casks from Jerez, with barrels made of Limousin oak, and with heavily toasted American white oak. This creates notes of vanilla, caramel, white chocolate, honey, or dark chocolate. If barley malt is kilned over peat fire, smoke also enters the mix. As a result, Lagerkorn is closer in taste to cognac or whiskey than to clear, unaged Korn.

Feinbrennerei Sasse and NORK

Almost all bottles in this category come from the Feinbrennerei Sasse in Schöppingen, Münsterland. Our top seller is the Münsterländer Lagerkorn V.S.O.P.: a local malt-grain combination, matured for at least four years in cognac-seasoned barriques and blended from up to 50 barrels, soft with vanilla and white chocolate, 32% vol. It is also available as a Lagerkorn V.S.O.P. in a 200 ml bottle.

Things get bolder with the Cigar Special made from rye and barley malt: five years in Limousin oak barrels seasoned with cognac, finished in toasted white oak, creamy with caramel, honey, and smoky vanilla, 40% vol. The Atlantik Finish combines rye with barley malt kilned over Scottish peat and matures for over six years in three types of casks, including sherry casks from Jerez. Strictly limited is the Vision Lagerkorn, aged for ten years according to the manufacturer, featuring Oloroso and PX casks, dark chocolate, and coffee.

The Vision is the 2025 special edition and concludes a three-part series: the cognac barrel forms the base, Oloroso and PX add sweet wine notes, bottled at 40% vol in a 700 ml bottle. Cigar Special and Atlantik Finish are also available in small sizes, such as the Cigar Special in a 200 ml bottle – great for tasting or as a gift.

Coming from Bremen is the DERBE Doppelkorn by NORK, developed in collaboration with Feinbrennerei Sasse. It is distilled from wheat, rye, and peated barley malt, bottled unaged, and tastes of peat smoke, earthy grain, and freshly baked bread, 39% vol, and is vegan according to the manufacturer. It shows how much flavor a clear Korn can have when the malt is kilned over peat and the distillery preserves the character of the grain.

Serving Korn: nosing glass, room temperature, good food

Aged Korn is treated like a fine brandy. Feinbrennerei Sasse recommends a serving temperature of 17 to 21 °C, i.e., around room temperature, and a nosing glass in which the vanilla, wood, and smoke notes can gather. With food, the Cigar Special pairs well with lamb, beef, and game; the Atlantik Finish, with its citrus and peat notes, goes well with fish or game. You can serve the DERBE Doppelkorn neat in a small glass or as a Derbe Paloma with grapefruit and salt. The Cigar Special also pairs well with a mild cigar.

Buying Korn: how to find yours

• For tasting: The Lagerkorn Tasting Box contains V.S.O.P., Cigar Special, and Atlantik Finish (40 ml each) with a tasting card. All three are also available in 200 ml bottles.
• Mild or strong: The V.S.O.P. with 32% vol is soft and sweet; the Cigar Special and Atlantik Finish with 40% vol are more intense.
• Smoke: If you like peat notes, choose the Atlantik Finish or the DERBE Doppelkorn.
• Storage: upright, in a dark place, and at room temperature. Thanks to its alcohol content, Korn keeps for a very long time even after opening.
• Age verification: Sale only to persons 18 years and older.

More spirits from grain, fruit, and juniper

Korn is part of our spirits selection. Distillates made from fruit, nuts, and herbs can be found under Brandy & Fruit Spirits. Münsterland also plays a role in our gin selection: the Grafschafter Heide Gin from Feinbrennerei Sasse features hand-picked juniper. You can find Grafschafter Kräuterwacholder, a juniper liqueur based on Kornbrand, under Liqueurs.

Order Korn online

Whether it's a tasting box for your first comparison, a Lagerkorn for the whiskey lover in the family, or a Doppelkorn from Bremen: at Leni & Hans, you can order Korn online, and your package will arrive in 1–3 days.