The Green Tree Distillery
A Czech family-owned spirits producer with roots in Prostějov dating to 1518.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Green Tree Distillery, known in Czech as Palírna U Zeleného stromu, is a Czech spirits company whose documented origins reach back to 4 July 1518, when William of Pernštejn granted brewing rights to thirty-one house owners in Prostějov. One of the recipients was Hajný Jež of Seloutek, associated with the house known as The Green Tree. The company presents this grant as the beginning of a continuous distilling tradition and marked its five-hundredth anniversary in 2018. The distillery is operated by the Hagan family and is described by Forbes as the largest family-owned distillery in the Czech Republic. It is also one of the largest Czech spirits producers by volume and remains Czech-capital owned. The company's administrative headquarters are in Ústí nad Labem, while production is concentrated exclusively in Prostějov. Its portfolio contains more than one hundred alcoholic products, including self-produced spirits and imported spirits matured in wooden barrels. The business developed from local brewing and distilling rights into a major Moravian spirits operation. In the eighteenth century, pharmacist Michael Storch of Markvartice introduced herbs and spices, particularly anise, into the mash. This development helped establish the recipe associated with Starorežná, one of the company's historic products. During the nineteenth century, Prostějov became a major spirits centre in Moravia. After acquiring the distillery in 1843, Jakub Vojáček modernized its processes, drawing inspiration from whisky production and using oak barrels for maturation. His family continued the business under the J. Vojáček Heirs name after his death. Ownership and organization changed repeatedly during the twentieth century. The distillery became part of the Cooperative Enterprise of Innkeepers in 1925, merged with a self-help innkeepers' cooperative in 1939, and was nationalized in 1946. Privatization became possible during the economic and political changes of 1992, when the Prostějov business operated as Starorežná Prostějov. In 2011, it merged with the Ústí liquor producer GRANETTE, creating GRANETTE & STAROREŽNÁ Distilleries, Inc. Production was subsequently consolidated in Prostějov. In 2017, the company restored the historical Green Tree name. Its best-known brands include Old Hunter's Rye, Heffron cane rum, Hanácká vodka, B42V Eccentric Vodka, and Vaječný sen. Old Hunter's Rye is built around aged rye spirit and includes Reserve and Selection expressions. Heffron, introduced in 2019, uses imported Panamanian rum and references the ship that transported Czechoslovak Legionnaires from Panama. Hanácká vodka emphasizes Prostějov water, high-strength spirit, and six-stage activated-carbon filtration. B42V Eccentric Vodka is a renamed and repositioned version of Blend 42 Vodka; its recipe and production method were retained after the 2023 name change. The company reports average annual production of approximately 100,000 hectolitres of alcoholic beverages and exports to customers in about twenty countries, with exports representing roughly 12 percent of production according to company reference material. Its products have received awards at international spirits and packaging competitions, including recognition for Old Hunter's Rye and Heffron. Recent activities have included limited-edition releases, brand advertising with Czech actors and musicians, festival partnerships, cooperation with a Ukrainian glassworks, and public criticism of differences in the treatment of spirits producers under consumption-tax rules.
History
The Green Tree Distillery traces its history to Prostějov in Moravia. On 4 July 1518, William of Pernštejn granted brewing rights to thirty-one house owners. One recipient, Hajný Jež of Seloutek, owned the house called The Green Tree, which became the historical reference for the distillery's name. Later, Charles of Liechtenstein extended privileges connected with brewing, distillation, and the infusion of liquor. The enterprise survived major disruptions, including the Thirty Years' War, shortages of raw materials, military looting, epidemics, and the destructive Prostějov fire of 1697. The Green Tree house survived the fire. In 1735, pharmacist Michael Storch of Markvartice became a significant owner. He introduced herbs and spices, especially anise, to the mash, helping establish the Starorežná style and recipe tradition. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, Prostějov had become one of Moravia's leading spirits-producing centres, with reported output exceeding 11,000 hectolitres. A major expansion followed the 1843 acquisition by Jakub Vojáček. He improved distillation methods, reportedly taking inspiration from whisky manufacturing, and used oak barrels for maturation. After his death in 1858, his family continued the business as J. Vojáček Heirs. The company endured the First World War despite losing access to lucrative army contracts. In 1925, the distillery and Green Tree house were acquired by the Cooperative Enterprise of Innkeepers, an organization connecting businesses from Prostějov and surrounding areas. The green-tree emblem, accompanied by a silhouette of Prostějov, became part of the company's commercial identity. In 1939, the operation merged with a self-help cooperative of innkeepers focused largely on soft drinks. During the early years of the Second World War, sales and production increased, and reported turnover exceeded 13 million crowns in 1940. Alcohol rationing began in 1941 because spirits were being consumed for wartime purposes. The company responded partly by increasing soft-drink and soda production. A Gestapo inspection followed allegations that the distillery was concealing stocks of spirits, but the search did not result in the reported destruction of the business. In 1946, the company was nationalized and operated as a state enterprise. The political and economic changes of 1992 enabled privatization of Starorežná Prostějov. At that point, the company reportedly produced around sixty types of spirits and approximately thirteen million litres annually. In 2011, Starorežná Prostějov merged with the Ústí liquor producer GRANETTE, formerly associated with KB Likér and the Eckelmann brothers' liquor company. The combined enterprise became GRANETTE & STAROREŽNÁ Distilleries, Inc., concentrated production in Prostějov, and became a leading Czech spirits producer with domestic capital. In 2017, the historical name The Green Tree Distillery was restored. The following period combined heritage marketing with portfolio development. The company celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2018 with a 500-bottle Old Hunter's Rye Single Barrel release. Heffron cane rum was introduced in 2019, and the company expanded advertising for Hanácká vodka and Old Hunter's Rye through Czech public figures. New whisky and vodka products followed in 2022 and 2023, while B42V Eccentric Vodka replaced the former Blend 42 Vodka name without changing the recipe. The company now produces in Prostějov, maintains its headquarters in Ústí nad Labem, and sells a portfolio of more than one hundred alcoholic products. It reports exports to approximately twenty countries on five continents. Its modern identity combines Czech ownership, long historical continuity, traditional recipes, product innovation, international awards, and brand partnerships in culture and entertainment.
- 2018
500th anniversary
[1]The distillery commemorated five centuries of history with a limited Old Hunter's Rye release.
- 2017
Historical name restored
[1]The company adopted The Green Tree Distillery name again.
- 2011
Merger with GRANETTE
[1]Starorežná Prostějov merged with GRANETTE to form GRANETTE & STAROREŽNÁ Distilleries, Inc.
- 1992
Privatization of Starorežná Prostějov
[1]Post-socialist political and economic changes enabled privatization.
- 1946
Nationalization
[1]The business was nationalized and operated as a national enterprise.
- 1925
Cooperative ownership began
[1]The distillery and Green Tree house became property of the Cooperative Enterprise of Innkeepers.
- 1843
Jakub Vojáček acquired the distillery
[1]Vojáček expanded and modernized production, including the use of oak-barrel maturation.
- 1735
Starorežná recipe tradition developed
[1]Pharmacist Michael Storch introduced herbs and spices, particularly anise, into the mash.
- 1518
Brewing rights granted in Prostějov
[1]William of Pernštejn granted brewing rights to thirty-one house owners, including the owner associated with the Green Tree house.
Products and positioning
A Czech, family-owned distillery positioned around long historical continuity, domestic production, traditional recipes, recognizable Czech brands, and a broad spirits portfolio.
Rye spirit and whisky-style aged spirits
Old Hunter's Rye
One of the company's best-known Czech spirits brands, Old Hunter's Rye is based on rye spirit aged in oak barrels and associated with a traditional recipe whose origins are linked to the company's long Prostějov history. Its portfolio includes Reserve, aged four years, and Selection, aged seven years. The brand has received medals at international competitions, including awards in London, Hong Kong, Warsaw, Spain, Japan, and other markets. The recipe is reportedly kept confidential.
Cane rum · 2019
Heffron
Introduced in 2019, Heffron is a 38-percent cane rum made from blended imported Panamanian rums, including five-year-old rum. Its name and ship imagery refer to the Heffron, associated with the return of Czechoslovak Legionnaires from Panama. Limited labels have also commemorated Czech military aviators, reinforcing the brand's theme of historical courage.
Vodka
Hanácká vodka
Hanácká vodka is a historic Prostějov vodka brand emphasizing local production. Its stated process uses Prostějov water, high-strength spirit, and six-fold filtration through activated carbon. The brand's Silver designation is connected to historical alcohol-strength measurement using a densimeter and a silver Prague groschen. The portfolio later expanded with Hanácká Trendy, a lower-strength 30-percent expression.
Vodka · 2023
B42V Eccentric Vodka
B42V Eccentric Vodka is the 2023 name of the former Blend 42 Vodka. The renaming was presented as a response to changing customer preferences, while the liquid and manufacturing process remained unchanged. It blends three grain spirits in a formulation adjusted to 42 percent alcohol and uses double filtration with fine coconut activated carbon.
Egg liqueur
Vaječný sen
Vaječný sen is an egg-liqueur product in the distillery's broader portfolio. The available reference material identifies it as one of the company's flagship offerings but does not provide further details about its recipe, launch date, or variants.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Rock for People partnership
Czech Republic
Hanácká vodka partnered with the Rock for People music festival, connecting the brand with Czech live-music culture.
- 2020Old Hunter's Rye television campaign
Czech Republic
Actor Jiří Bartoška became the public face of Old Hunter's Rye in a television commercial.
- 2019Hanácká vodka campaign with Matěj Ruppert
Czech Republic
The company used Czech musician Matěj Ruppert in advertising for Hanácká vodka.
Outcome. The campaign was followed by additional Hanácká vodka television advertising featuring Ruppert.
Brand decisions
2023
Blend 42 Vodka renamed B42V Eccentric VodkaGeneration changeBackground
The company stated that the rebranding was intended to respond to current customer needs.
Action taken
Blend 42 Vodka was renamed B42V Eccentric Vodka while retaining its recipe and production method.
Aftermath
The product continued as a 42-percent vodka made from three grain spirits and filtered with coconut activated carbon.
2017
Restoration of the historical corporate nameStrategyBackground
The company sought to reconnect its modern business with the distilling tradition associated with the Green Tree house and the 1518 origin date.
Action taken
It changed its name back to The Green Tree Distillery, Inc.
Aftermath
The restored name became the basis for modern heritage-oriented corporate and brand communication.
2011
Merger with GRANETTEM&ABackground
Starorežná Prostějov and the Ústí liquor company GRANETTE combined during a period of consolidation in the Czech spirits industry.
Action taken
The parties formed GRANETTE & STAROREŽNÁ Distilleries, Inc., with production concentrated in Prostějov.
Aftermath
The combined company became a leading Czech spirits producer with purely Czech capital.
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