For the past two years in its Ghirardelli Square location, Vom Fass has offered its award-winning natural and organic olive oils, nut and seed oils, and old-world cask-aged vinegars as well as other gourmet specialties and gifts. Recently, they added over 70 small-batch, cask-aged spirits.
That seems especially fitting, given that the German translation of Vom Fass is “from the cask.” Featuring the best brandies including Cognac, Armagnac, and Calvados, Vom Fass carries only the highest-quality brandy designations including XO, Napoleon, Reserve, and Grand Reserve. Its nearly 50-year-old Cuvée Pardis Cognac is comparable to Louie Trey (and retails at a fraction of the price). In addition, the limited supply of the handcrafted 1973 Armagnac, rich and silky with a long finish, will appeal to those favoring the distinctive brandy from this region.
Scotch fans will be impressed by the store’s extensive collection, which includes varieties from the Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside, and a smoky-peaty scotch from the Isle of Jura. If you prefer whiskies, then you’re sure to find a favorite in their selection of small-batch Irish Whisky or perhaps their rye, bourbon, or American whiskey, each with special characteristics of its own.
On the sweeter side, you can find about 40 unique private-label small-batch liqueurs with floral, citrusy, and creamy flavors (think lavender, orangecello, and latte macchiato crème). Want something stronger without added sugar? Then check out the grappa, and look forward to the arrival of a French absinthe, which the store is eagerly awaiting.
If wine is your drink of choice, Vom Fass also recently added a variety of organic, sustainably produced, and premium wines culled from France to South Africa, so drop by to browse their boutique collection.
The store will offer daily tasting events featuring their products as soon as they receive their tasting license, and they plan to host wine and spirits events on a regularly published schedule.
Vom Fass: 900 North Point Street, 415-409-6980, vomfasssf.com; Sunday–Thursday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. For an invitation to their Grand Opening Event featuring spirits, e-mail [email protected].
