Distiller Notes
Yes, Clear Creek does indeed grow the pears in the bottles! Soon after the petals have fallen off of the developing pear buds, they very carefully slip bottles over the little pears, tying the bottles to the branches above. The pears happily grow in the bottles, until they're big enough to harvest in July or August. The bottles of pears are then immediately brought to the distillery, where they are cleaned by hand and filled with Clear Creek Pear Brandy. The result is a full grown, lovely Bartlett Pear grown in the bottle, surrounded by its spirit. In France they call it "Poire Prisonniere," or imprisoned pear. Clear Creek calls it Pear-in-the-Bottle Pear Brandy.
Proof: 80
Eau de Vie, or ‘water of life,’ is a term in France that refers to any unaged or newly-made spirit in general. However English-speaking countries follow a narrower definition, applying the name only to clear, unaged Brandies that are twice distilled and made from fruit other than grapes. Many fine examples of Eau de Vies are produced all over the world.