What is Poire William?

by Cookthink

Poire William is a French eau de vie distilled from Bartlett pears, which are known as Williams' Bon Chrétien in France and most of the world outside the United States. Manufactured in Alsace and Switzerland, Poire William is sometimes sold with a whole pear fruit trapped inside its glass bottle; this is accomplished by hanging bottles on pear trees, and allowing the budding fruit to grow inside. Related: What is eau de vie?