Introduction
In Austria, apricots, known as Marille in German, come into season around May. The Wachau region near Vienna is particularly famous for its apricots, and Austrian supermarkets are filled with all kinds of apricot products during the season, including fresh apricots, apricot jam, apricot nectar, apricot chocolate, and apricot liqueur.
In a previous article, I introduced WIESER MARILLEN LIKÖR, one of my favorite Austrian apricot liqueurs. This time, I decided to compare it with several other apricot liqueurs I have tried since then, including BAILONI and FELSER.
（当ブログの記事をまとめたポータルページはここです）
（オンラインショップを始めてみました。是非こちらからご覧になってください。）
Amazon.co.jp
あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】
Austria and Apricots (Marille)
In Austrian German, apricots are called Marille.
In Japan, apricots are often associated with products such as jam or almond-flavored desserts. In Austria, however, they are a much more familiar fruit. The Wachau region in particular is famous for its apricots, and during the harvest season, supermarkets can have large quantities of fresh Marillen in the produce section.
Because apricots are such an important local fruit, there is also a wide variety of apricot liqueurs. You can find them in supermarkets, specialty shops, and souvenir stores throughout Austria.
WIESER MARILLEN LIKÖR
First up is one of my personal favorites, which I also introduced in my previous article.
A 350 ml bottle costs around €11.99 and has an alcohol content of 20% ABV.
As soon as you pour it into a glass, a sweet and fruity apricot aroma fills the air. The flavor is also intensely fruity, almost as if concentrated apricots had been turned directly into a liqueur.
I first tried it over ice and then mixed it with sparkling water. Both were delicious. The sparkling version was particularly refreshing and easy to drink, making it a great choice for summer.
Adding a fresh apricot as a garnish also makes the drink look much more attractive and gives it a slightly luxurious feel.
Of the three liqueurs in this comparison, this is personally my favorite because I think it offers the best overall balance.
FELSER MARILLEN LIKÖR
This is the most affordable product in this comparison.
A 500 ml bottle costs around €6 and has an alcohol content of 22.5% ABV.
The price is certainly attractive, but when I tried it, the apricot aroma was noticeably weaker than in WIESER.
As a result, the alcohol comes through more strongly than the fruity sweetness. Rather than tasting like a distinctly fruity apricot liqueur, it felt more like an alcoholic drink with a hint of apricot flavor.
That doesn’t mean it is bad. Considering the low price, I think it performs reasonably well. However, if you are expecting a strong apricot aroma and rich fruit flavor, you may find it a little underwhelming.
Overall, it felt like a product where the low price was reflected in the flavor.
BAILONI MARILLEN LIKÖR
BAILONI is one of the best-known Austrian apricot liqueurs.
A 700 ml bottle costs around €17.50 and has an alcohol content of 30% ABV.
It is the most expensive of the three products featured here.
When I tried it, I could definitely taste the quality and the apricot flavor was quite pronounced. However, personally, I felt that WIESER had an even stronger fruity character and a more noticeable apricot aroma.
The 30% alcohol content is also relatively high, so the alcohol itself is more noticeable compared with WIESER.
If I were choosing based purely on flavor, I would still pick WIESER.
However, BAILONI has one major advantage: the bottle looks fantastic. Its tall, elegant design gives it a distinctly premium appearance and makes it feel like a proper Austrian souvenir.
For that reason, I think it may be better suited as a gift or souvenir than as something you simply buy for yourself.
My Overall Ranking
Based on my personal taste, I would rank the three products as follows.
1st: WIESER MARILLEN LIKÖR
- Rich and distinctive apricot aroma
- Excellent balance between sweetness and alcohol
- Delicious both over ice and mixed with sparkling water
2nd: BAILONI MARILLEN LIKÖR
- Premium-looking bottle
- Great as an Austrian souvenir or gift
- Higher alcohol content
3rd: FELSER MARILLEN LIKÖR
- By far the most affordable
- A good option if price is the priority
- Apricot flavor is relatively subtle
Conclusion
Apricots, or Marille, are one of Austria’s most characteristic fruits, and apricot liqueur is an easy and delicious way to enjoy their flavor.
Of the three liqueurs I tried, WIESER MARILLEN LIKÖR was the clear winner for me. It has a rich apricot aroma, a well-balanced flavor, and a reasonable price considering the quality.
BAILONI is another good option if you are looking for a more premium-looking bottle, especially as a souvenir or gift. Meanwhile, FELSER is worth considering if keeping the price low is your main priority.
All three can make interesting souvenirs from Austria, and they are relatively easy to find in supermarkets and other shops. If you love apricots, I definitely recommend giving Austrian Marillen liqueur a try.
And if you visit the Wachau region during apricot season, enjoying a glass after seeing the local apricot orchards is an especially nice way to remember your trip.
コメント