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Tarpa Manufaktúra – Tradition and trend from North Hungary

Tarpa was first documented for its fruits in a chronicle dating from as long ago as 1755. The village in the province of Szatmár on the banks of the river Tisza has a long-standing tradition in fruit processing and its fruit purées, in particular, are legendary. Over time, the fruit-processing began to disappear and the old recipes were quickly forgotten. The manufacturing company Tarpa Manufaktúra was established in 1996 against this background with the aim of re-instating the local culinary tradition, using regional raw materials. Today, the top quality product range includes about 40 organically certified products which are sold in many EU countries: fruit purées made from damson, sour cherry, apricot and quince, acacia honey and nuts, walnut oil, bell peppers and chilli and hearty vegetable products and fruit brandies.

The company only uses freshly harvested fruit based on traditional varieties, some of which are collected in the wild. Fruits are selected, washed, chopped and stirred in copper vessels to the required consistency with many village residents being engaged in these operations. Walnuts are shelled and packaged or pressed to make food oils. The acacia honey extracted by local organic beekeepers is used to flavour the fruit purées and packaged in small jars, either pure or with walnuts. In summer, freshly harvested bell peppers and aubergines are charcoal-grilled and processed to make Sakuska, a rustic spread for bread. All of the products are labelled and carefully packaged by hand. This enables the village to preserve its culinary traditions and helps to secure the existence of the region’s numerous small-scale farmers.

Classified as a First Class Distillery 2015, the Hungarian fruit processors were awarded gold for Apricot, silver for Apple Jonathan, Quince and Wild Plum, as well as bronze for Cherry Sour.

Bonner Manufaktur: Small yet exquisite

The Bonner Manufaktur was born from a dream that originated in 2015 – a dream to produce something unique and handcrafted. Specifically, it was about a spirit, produced with passion and dedication following traditional methods. In the beginning it was the naked GiN, which has since won several national and international awards, joined in 2018 by Mr. Williams pear brandy and Mrs. Williams pear liqueur. The same applies for this pair: quality and tradition are the greatest priorities.

The finest ingredients and gentle distillation methods bring the pear out of its slightly dusty niche, as Daniel Wartacz, founder and ‘number one’ in the company, charmingly remarks. In the sub-Mediterranean climate by Lake Constance, the pears can develop their typical aroma on the tree until the very last moment, before being transformed into liqueur and brandy. What that tastes like can be sampled since 2018 in the Wohnzimmer - drinking office on Bonn’s Theaterstraße, the new home of these spirits and slightly unusual tasting evenings. This combination of shop, event room and office is open on Thursdays and Saturdays for those wanting to stock up on special wine and spirit specialities.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Mrs. Williams – finest Williams Christ pear liqueur, and silver for Mr. Williams – finest Williams Christ pear brandy.

Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey and Boyle’s Gin, and Silver for Boyle’s Sloe & Damson Gin and Ardfallen Whiskey.

LA SU Gin: Exotic holiday feeling in a glass

Alexander Kayser and Christopher Schuh are true gin lovers and founders of the brand LA SU Gin – a registered brand of Expo Outline Messebau und Event GmbH in Altenstadt, with Alexander Kayser as the managing partner.

After exploring many trains of thought, it was clear to both of them that it had to be exotic. LA SU Gin is a premium handcrafted gin with a hint of fruity mango. Distilled in small batches, traditionally and without additives, it is made in one of the oldest distilleries in Europe. The mango gives it a special freshness and balances the tart notes of the spices perfectly. Next to the mango, LA SU evokes a sense of travel. Enjoy a holiday feeling and discover new taste sensations. The elaborate bottle design reflects a love of detail and certainly leaves an impression.

At the World Spirits Award, bronze was achieved by LA SU *MGO* Natural Mango.