Kissofire Hunter Valley Liqueurs

Ask any local about Kissofire Hunter Valley Liqueurs and you’ll get a grin followed by a yarn about cinnamon warmth and late-night laughs. My first taste of their fiery drop came during a wine tour detour, and it hit me like a sweet punch — bold, warming and oddly comforting. Known as both Kiss Of Fire and Kissofire, this liqueur has cult status in Pokolbin and has won fans who want something beyond Semillon and Shiraz.

This article by Paul Beames takes you behind the scenes of this family-owned, family-run business, explores its quirky flavours like butterscotch liqueur and chilli-choc blends and tells you how to enjoy it at home or on tour.

The Family Story: Norm Giese And A Fiery Idea

Behind every great drop is a person bold enough to push the boundaries. For Kissofire, that’s Norm Giese. With years in the wine industry, Norm saw an opportunity to add something different to Hunter Valley’s lineup. Instead of another bottle of Shiraz, he bottled cinnamon warmth and created a drink that bridges the gap between spirit, liqueur and sweet treat.

As a family-run business, every bottle carries a personal touch. It’s not churned out in some faceless factory — it’s crafted with passion and often with customers’ stories in mind. That’s why many people order custom labels for weddings, anniversaries or any special day when they want to show their guests something unique from the Hunter.

What Sets This Liqueur Apart

The Hunter Valley is full of wines, but only one liqueur has this much character. Unlike generic bottles you’ll see at the back of a pub shelf, Kiss Of Fire has carved out a name for being warm, smooth and adaptable.

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Here’s what makes it stand out:

Versatility – Sip it neat, splash it in coffee or use it for creative cooking.
Recognition – Regularly touted as the Best Chilli Liqueur in the region, thanks to its bold spice-choc drops.
Personalisation – From mini liqueur bottles to custom labelled gifts, it’s perfect for parties, weddings and corporate events.
Hunter Heart – It’s Pokolbin-based, it’s the Valley’s quirky side, off the beaten wine brochure track.

Flavours: Butterscotch to Chilli

There’s more than you’d expect. Yes, the original Cinnamon Kiss Of Fire is the most popular, but there’s a whole range to try.

Flavour	Profile	Best Use	Popularity
Cinnamon (Kiss Of Fire)	Sweet, spicy, warming	Neat, cocktails	Top seller
Butterscotch liqueur	Caramel, smooth, rich	Dessert drizzle, neat over ice	Growing favourite
Choc-Chilli	Spicy with cocoa depth	After-dinner sip, fiery martinis	Known as the Best Chilli Liqueur
Coffee	Bold, roasted	Affogato, tiramisu	Steady fanbase
Limited Editions	Seasonal experiments	Tastings & festivals	Collector appeal

According to Hunter tasting surveys, over 70% of visitors buy at least one bottle after sampling, so this isn’t just a novelty — it’s a keeper.

Mini Liqueur Bottles And Custom Labels

One of Kissofire’s best ideas has been offering mini liqueur bottles. Perfect for wedding favours, party gifts or quirky souvenirs, they let people take home a taste without committing to a full bottle. Add custom labels, and suddenly your event drinks table has a personal touch.

Locals order these for weddings, engagement parties or milestone birthdays, creating a personalised timeline of their celebrations through custom labelled drops. Nothing says “Hunter Valley” like a favour-sized cinnamon kick that’ll show your guests you’ve thought outside the box.

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Food Pairing And Creative Cooking

Forget fancy pairings only sommeliers understand. Kissofire works because it’s simple.

Cheese match: Cinnamon goes well with Hunter Belle’s blue cheese.
Desserts: Drizzle butterscotch liqueur over ice cream or pudding.
Coffee hacks: Add a nip of coffee or chilli liqueur to an affogato.
BBQ fun: A splash of Kiss Of Fire in the marinade gives pork ribs a sweet-heat kick.
Creative cooking: Locals swear by adding it to sauces, cakes and even glazes.

Ways to Savour a One-of-a-Kind Spirit

Most wine tours pass cellar doors, cheese rooms and breweries — but don’t miss the liqueurs. On a 1 Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour, you’ll often see Kissofire at The Smelly Cheese Shop or in tasting rooms along McDonald’s Road and Broke Road.

Book ahead: Tastings get busy in peak weekends.
Pair smart: Plan your stop after cheese or dessert tastings.
Leave room: In your itinerary and your esky — the bottles travel fast.

Range Online And Signing Up

The good news is you don’t have to wait for a Hunter trip. The range online means you can order from home and keep the fire going all year round. From standard 700ml bottles to mini liqueur bottles, the full range ships Australia-wide.

If you want to stay in the loop,you’ss alsosigng up for the mailing list. Regulars who sign up often get early access to seasonal releases, recipe ideas for creative cooking and notice of market stalls where you can stock up in person.