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Prevelon: Premium vodka by order of the Kremlin

Kremlin Premium Vodka was created as the official drink for all diplomatic receptions and banquets at the Kremlin and was intended as the hallmark of high-ranking events. The decision in favour of the most traditional Russian drink was unanimous. It was only produced on special order and in limited amounts. The first large batch of this ‘protocol’ vodka was ordered in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference. Kremlin Award Grand Premium came on the market in 2011 and is exported to 38 countries, and in many of them it holds the top position in the ultra-premium vodka category. Since 2016, the product range has included Kremlin Award Classic, which enjoys great popularity amongst all partners.

Two products have been added to the product range. Kremlin Award Organic is based on alcohol that is produced from the highest quality organic wheat, and on natural drinking water. The vodka passes through a multi-stage purification through pure birchwood charcoal. The alcohol for Kremlin Award Vintage is made from organic grains from the same harvest. The wheat grains are stored in a grain silo until they reach their physiological maturity in order to get a high-quality base product. The ‘luxury alcohol’ is then mixed with natural drinking water and, after purification, is granted a resting period. Production is limited to the year stated on the label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Kremlin Award Organic and Kremlin Award Vintage.

Clara Hof Destillerie: A distillery in maritime surroundings

With the opening of the distillery in spring 2015, a lifetime dream came true for the passionate master distiller – and also nutritionist, brewer and maltster – Andreas Michelsen alongside his wife Tanja. Amidst original, maritime surroundings in a top location in Eckernförd’s old town harbour, this lovingly run home of fine spirits and liqueurs enriches the Baltic resort with handmade spirits. These are sold in the special atmosphere of the rear courtyard – the Clara yards.

The creations are based on old Nordic specialities just as much as on modern distillates from around the world. Experience and an eye for detail are the strong foundation, supported by natural ingredients, where possible organically cultivated. Premium spirits are manufactured from carefully selected herbs and other ingredients. The use of hand-picked Labrador tea in Scandinavia, through which the distillates gain their characteristic rough edges, is particularly special. Labrador tea enriches gin, aquavit and aniseed herb, and can be found at 100 percent in a mild bitter.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Erdbeergeist gereift im Sherry-Fass (strawberry spirit matured in a sherry cask).

Morikawaratan: Liqueur specialities from Japan

Takanori Mori, who runs a roofing company, started Goodman Kitchen, a mobile restaurant, in 2018. He travelled through Japan with it and got to know wonderful ingredients in every region. Inspired by these encounters, he founded a factory for liqueur specialities in 2022. He began producing liqueurs, for which he processed agricultural products from all over Japan. The first product, Limoncello, was launched in spring 2023, followed by Arancello, plum wine and Bankan, made from unique citrus fruits. Guided tours of the company are also available for anyone interested.

In November 2023, Limoncello was awarded a gold medal and the plum wine a silver medal at ‘The Liqueur Masters’. This is organised by ‘The Spirits Business’ trade magazine, and spirits are tasted by spirits experts in 14 separate categories. The results can also be found at www.thespiritsbusiness.com, which attracts more than 325,000 visitors from almost 150 countries every month. The products also impressed the WSA expert jury.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Hida Craft Lemoniq (Sweet Award & SoY 2024), gold for Hida Craft Lemoniq Bitter, and bronze for Hida Craft Umeshu Den.