Review: Cherry Heering (2008)
Cherry Heering has always been one of cocktaildom’s most puzzling spirits. Bartending books regularly call it either Peter Heering or Cherry Heering, sometimes in the same tome, leading novices to wonder if there is more than one kind of Heering out there. To compound matters further, the bottle itself just reads “Heering.” Beneath that you’ll find “Original Cherry Liqueur… bottled by Peter F. Heering.” Neither of the common names for the liqueur actually appear on the label!
Cherry Heering (which is what the company calls it, so we’ll call it that too) has been around since 1818 and stakes its claim as “the original cherry brandy.” The Danish concoction is regularly called-for as a branded ingredient in cocktails, and it’s a great way to add both red color and cherry flavor to a drink recipe. Note that clear Maraschino liqueur is made with a process that includes distilling cherries and cherry pits (and even leaves and stems); the distillate is then watered down and sweetened. Kirschwasser, at its typical 90 proof, is simply a distillate of cherries, unsweetened; it has far more burn than Bing.
Heering is a mere 48 proof and a lovely shade of crimson. The aroma of Heering has more in common with Port wine than it does with cherry elixir, and that wine-like character extends into the flavor. It’s all due to the dark Stevens cherries used for the juice and the oak-aging of the liqueur for up to five years before it’s bottled. Silky and less sweet than you’d think, it’s not medicinal at all, and really plays to the strengths of the fruit. Heering is even palatable on its own (try it chilled), though sipping liqueurs solo is a fool’s game. Really, Cherry Heering is most impressive in cocktails, and I’m now even pondering whether to replace it in my cherished Casino recipe, color be damned.
The weird thing is that Heering says it is reintroducing the brand in the U.S. this fall to take advantage of the classic cocktail craze and jump-start sales again. I’m told the packaging has been redesigned… so I put the new bottle against one that’s been in my collection for years. The new bottle is on the left. If you can spot any differences (color variations are due solely to lighting conditions), you’re a better man than I am. (UPDATE: Turns out the old bottle, shown at the top of the post, was used from introduction through 1995.) The good news, I’m promised, is that the recipe remains unchanged. Cherrs! I mean cheers!
48 proof.
A- / $25 / heering.com [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
Cherry Heering (2008)
$25
I won a basket of cheer in which a bottle of Cherry Heering was included. I was not familiar with the product so I did a search on the internet. Thank you for your information on this product it was very helpful. The bottle that I have however, appears to be much older, it has a different label on it. In fact, one label is in english and one label on the other side of the bottle is in dutch ( i think) and is shaped differently than the one you have pictured. The bottle I have looks more like a traditional wine bottle, more rounded. It may be from 1968 because it has a 150 year sticker on it. All the seals are on and in tact, my novice question because I do not know much about liqueor and I am not much of a drinker, is this still alright to open and consume? Thank you
Should be fine to drink… of course the only way to know is to try it. Would be interesting to compare your old bottle to a brand new one!
What does the bottom of the new bottle and the old bottle look like? Are they the same? What is printed on the bottom? Bumps? Numbers? Thickness? I ask because my children found a bottle in the swamps and it appears to be old. I live in an area that is very old here in the U.S. and is famous for Black Beard. Thanks.
I found a one bottle Cherry Herring, same look old, as first picture in my mother stuff, looks as 30years old, because is there also 30 years Champagne Codorniu Cava,,
The Cherry Heering Has information Overgade Neden Vandet No 166,,,
Anyone know what is the number, Thanks Joe
^’Overgade Neden Vandet’ is a street in Copenhagen, so it’s an address. The literal translation of the street name (and yes, it is a somewhat odd name) would be : ‘Over street under water’.
My “ex” asked me today if I still liked Cherry Heering. I answered that I hadn’t even SEEN a bottle in a very long time. Now I see that it is back on the market, I’ll seek some out. I am however in Spain so will try to find a distributor here.
Sorry I don’t know how to say “bottoms up” in Danish!
Does Heering Cherry Liqueur have brandy mixed in ti?
I realize this an old entry, but you’re sort’ve all over the place when talking about cherry liqueurs. Maraschino, Kirsch, and Cherry Heering are vastly different in every aspect from flavor to production, and are not interchangeable at all.
Alex – wasn’t intending to compare them against one another but rather to contrast them as different expressions of cherry flavor. (Much as I’d perhaps reference triple sec in a review of Grand Marnier.) Sorry if that wasn’t clear. It was 4 1/2 years ago when I wrote it…
I HAVE A BOTTLE OF CHERRY HEERING OVERGADE NEDEN VANDET # 166 NOT OPENED SAY BOTTLED AT COPENHAGEN PETER G HEERING SOLE MANUFACTURER HAS BLUE LABEL EMBELM WITH A PFH ON IT ALSO HANDEL OC SOEFART ESTD. 1818ON BOTTOM KJOBENHAVN BROWN BOTTLE ON BACKOF BOTTLE IN THE BOTTLE BIG LETTERS P. F. HEERING IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT LET ME KNOW THANKYOU JERRY WAGNER
have a bottle of cherry heering brown bottle blue label overgade nedenvandet no 166 kjobenhavn cap says bottled at Copenhagen peter f heering sole manufacturer p. f. heering on front and back of bottle in the glass any info. would be help full thankyou jerry wagner
Hello. This may seem like a strange question, but have you ever tried (or heard of anyone trying) adding Cherry Herring in a Manhattan recipe? I know Manhattans contain dry or sweet vermouth, bourbon and bitters. When I order one in a bar, I ask the bartender to add extra cherries to my cocktail. They never heard of cherry liqueur. Thanks…
I’ve seen this basic construction before as a “Cherry Old Fashioned” — rye, Cherry Heering, a bit of simple syrup, and bitters.