The Germanic Obstbrand tradition of the Black Forest, Baden and Franconia turns on the technical split between Wasser (fermented-and-distilled) and Geist (macerated-and-distilled) Wikipedia: Geist (liquor)). German fruit Geist and Obstler developed from excess or overripe fruit, often when grain was restricted for bread and beer.
"Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser" and "Fränkisches" Kirsch/Zwetschgenwasser/Obstler are protected styles made by hundreds of small distilleries — an estimated 14,000 licensed stills in the Black Forest alone — beyond the flagship houses like Schladerer, Kammer-Kirsch, Scheibel and Ziegler.
🖼 Media cue: Map: Kirsch & Obstbrand country — Baden / Black Forest and Franconia — with the density of small distilleries visualized.