Klocke Estate, the Hudson Valley distillery, proudly announces the release of Referent – its first aged apple brandy. Eight years in the making, Referent marks a defining milestone for the estate’s “earth-to-glass” vision, capturing the purest expression of the land, fruit, and patience.
The name Referent speaks to this brandy as the tangible realization of Klocke Estate’s founding vision and a milestone in Klocke Estate’s mission: to craft world-class spirits rooted in American terroir, guided by heritage, and realized through dedication and artistry.
The Spirit: A Study in Time and Transformation
Crafted from 22 European and American heritage bittersweet and bittersharp apple varieties sourced from historic growers across the Hudson Valley and Northeast, Referent represents a true collaboration between fruit, soil, and craft. Varieties like Dabinett, Kingston Black, Golden Russet, Esopus Spitzenberg, and Yarlington Mill contribute a dynamic balance of sweetness, structure, and acidity.
Following the 2021 and 2022 harvests, the apples were coarsely crushed and gently pressed to preserve nuance and purity. Fermentations were a mix of native and cultivated yeasts, slow and cool, spanning 3 to 4 weeks before resting on lees for nearly a year. The resulting ciders were double-distilled on Klocke Estate’s traditional Alembic Charentais still, yielding eau de vie of exceptional intensity and depth – some bright and fruit-forward, others rich with pastry, spice, and baked apple notes.
The eau de vie then began its transformation in the estate’s old-world chai (barrel cellar), where the spirit matured in French Limousin oak barrels. In this naturally humid environment, oxidation and oak tannins mellowed and refined the brandy’s character into a soft, velvet-like texture.
“Referent captures everything we’ve been building toward since we began farming this land,” says John Frishkopf, Klocke Estate Founder and CEO. “It’s a testament to the Hudson Valley – to the fruit, the patience, and the promise of what American brandy can be when it’s made with deep respect for traditional practices and a sense of place.”
The Blend and the Experience
Blended from select barrels of varied age and character, Referent balances intensity and elegance – a luminous golden brandy with aromas of baked apple, wildflower honey, and toasted oak, followed by layers of orchard fruit, vanilla, and spice. The finish is long, warm, and distinctly mineral, reflecting the region’s clay loam, gravel, and shale-laden soils.
“Each cask tells a different story,” says Caleb Gregg, Head Distiller at Klocke Estate. “Referent is a blend of those stories: fruit-forward, deeply textured, and shaped by the seasons. It’s a testament to what patience and place can create.”