Whiskydestillerie Haider

Whiskydestillerie Haider, trading as Waldviertler Whisky J.H., is an Austrian whisky distillery based in the Waldviertel region of Lower Austria. It describes itself as Austria's oldest whisky distillery, founded in 1995, and as the producer of the first whisky made in Austria. The distillery was established by Johann Haider and Monika Haider, who began with a learning-by-doing approach and built the operation into what the company calls a pilgrimage site for Austrian whisky culture. The house specialises in rye and rye malt whiskies, while also offering single malt bottlings made from barley malt. Its flagship range includes the Original Rye Whisky J.H., the Single Malt J.H. 13 (aged in ex-grape-brandy casks) and the Dark Rye Malt J.H. (Doublewood). Products are sold through an online shop and at the distillery's visitor experience, the Whisky-Erlebniswelt, which offers tours, tastings, gift boxes, sets and vouchers. Leadership passed to the next generation when Jasmin Haider (Jasmin Haider-Stadler) took over joint management with her mother Monika Haider at the beginning of 2016. Johann Haider retired in 2016 but remains associated with the distillery in an advisory capacity. The company emphasises regionality and individuality, using local raw materials and defining its own style rather than imitating Scotch whisky. The brand operates as a private, family-run business. Its website presents it as "Österreichs 1. Whiskydestillerie" (Austria's No. 1 whisky distillery) and "Österreichs älteste Whiskydestillerie, seit 1995" (Austria's oldest whisky distillery, since 1995).

Whiskydestillerie Haider traces its origins to 1995, when Johann Haider had the idea to become the first person to distil whisky in Austria. Together with Monika Haider, he laid the foundation for what the company describes as Austria's first whisky distillery. The early years were characterised by a learning-by-doing process, as the founders developed their own approach to producing whisky from regional raw materials in the Waldviertel region of Lower Austria. Rather than imitating Scotch whisky, the distillery set out to create a new product with its own character, focusing on regionality and individuality. It specialised in rye and rye malt whiskies, while also producing single malt bottlings from barley malt. Over time, the operation grew into a destination for Austrian whisky culture, with the establishment of the Whisky-Erlebniswelt (whisky experience world) offering tours, tastings and a shop. At the beginning of 2016, Jasmin Haider (Jasmin Haider-Stadler) took over joint management of the company with her mother Monika Haider. Jasmin is responsible for areas including marketing and communication, and is also a distiller. Johann Haider retired in 2016 but continues to support the distillery with advice. Monika Haider remains the heart of the operation, handling many of the guided tours and tastings. The distillery markets itself as "Österreichs 1. Whiskydestillerie" and "Österreichs älteste Whiskydestillerie, seit 1995". Its product range includes the Original Rye Whisky J.H., the Single Malt J.H. 13 aged in ex-grape-brandy casks, and the Dark Rye Malt J.H. (Doublewood), alongside limited editions, gift boxes and vouchers. The business remains a private, family-run enterprise based in the Waldviertel.

• 2016

  Jasmin Haider (Haider-Stadler) takes over joint management with her mother Monika Haider; Johann Haider retires but remains as advisor.

• 1995

  Johann Haider founds the distillery with the idea of becoming the first to distil whisky in Austria; Monika Haider co-founds.

Austria's first and oldest whisky distillery; regional, handcrafted, characterful Austrian whisky that defines its own style rather than imitating Scotch.

• Original Rye Whisky J.H.

  Flagship rye whisky, priced from €12.00.

• Single Malt J.H. 13 (Ex-Traubenbrandfass)

  Single malt aged in ex-grape-brandy casks.

• Dark Rye Malt J.H. (Doublewood)

  Dark rye malt whisky, Doublewood maturation.

1. 1Waldviertler Whisky J.H. – Österreichs 1. Whiskydestillerie & Whisky-Erlebnisweltwaldviertlerwhisky.at
2. 2Über uns | Waldviertler Whisky J.H. – Österreichs 1. Whiskydestilleriewaldviertlerwhisky.at
3. 3Haider Whisky Distillery – Wikidatawikidata.org