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Kweichow Moutai: China’s ‘national schnapps’ on the rise

Baijiu is the most popular alcoholic drink in China and Moutai the most famous brand, with a similar status to vodka in Russia or tequila in Mexico. Its origins go back over 2,000 years to the time of Emperor Wu of Han. These days, the national drink is frequently served at official state banquets and is used as the official state gift. Its protected source is the village of Maotai in the Guizhou province on the banks of the Chishui, the Red River. These days, more than 30,000 tons of the 53 percent alcohol Moutai are produced. In cooperation with Camus, a limited edition was launched as an homage to the greatest poets: after Li Bai in 2013, Du Fu followed in 2018. The elegant bottle showing a painting of a poem is made from the finest porcelain.

Traditional methods are used for the distillation of regional raw materials: organic sorghum and wheat and the best water. Fermentation takes place at high temperatures. During the production process, which takes a year, fresh grain is added twice to the boilers, then several boiling and fermentation processes take place. Every batch of the distillate is separated according to age, production cycle and aroma. It then matures slowly in terracotta containers and, during the storage period of at least five years, develops a fine soya aroma. Master blenders make sure that the characteristic, full flavour is preserved. The secret lies in the humid climate, the water from the Chishui, as well as in the distillation technique and maturing period.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Kweichou Moutai Du Fu Edition.

Berentzen Group: 250 years of cultured distilled spirits

Berentzen Group is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and fashionable drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 260 years of experience, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

Tres Países Premium Rum combines distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After being stored for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon casks, they come to Europe for refinement by the master blender. The characteristics of the countries provide the taste profile: vanilla and butterscotch, elegant fruit, banana and chocolate. It is also available in a port cask finish, which is refined in aged casks for another six months.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Gold for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin and Tres Países Premium Rum.

Rum Company – Simply the smoothest

Spencer Antle, founder of the Island Company in Florida, had the idea for a rum to fill a niche in the luxury rum market. “I wanted to create a rum that appeals to women and men alike. On my travels through the Caribbean, I noticed that women are not particularly keen on rum. Drunk neat, it is simply too harsh for many, and in a mixed drink, too overpowering.” Following the motto ‘simply the smoothest’, he created a rum that is mild and smooth – and practically disappears in every tropical cocktail. The light (blond) rum is not at all ‘invisible’ in its elegant, slim bottle with the (sea) blue cap – a real eye-catcher!

The Island Company Rum is produced in Trinidad, is distilled five times and matures for three years. With a hint of vanilla and wild honey – without sugar, gluten or carbohydrates – it can be enjoyed at any time. For this small escape from day-to-day life you don’t have to be on the beach or on a sailing boat in the Caribbean.

The newest luxury product from the innovative company is the Island Company Rum Cake, a rich cake with – not surprisingly – a hint of vanilla and honey.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Island Company Rum.

Donner-Peltier Distillers – A great team from Louisiana

In 2011, Tom and Beth Donner and Henry and Jennifer Peltier opened their Donner-Peltier Distillery in the middle of a sugarcane field in Thibodaux, Louisiana, with the aim of producing the best quality from the local raw materials of sugar and rice. A wide range of knowledge and experience from chemistry, combined with a burning passion for fine spirits, made up the basis for great team work, supported by Tyson Frizzell and Brad Blackwell, who are responsible for the production.

The high quality DPD product range comprises Oryza Vodka (distilled 17 times) and Oryza Gin (from eleven plants and a citrus touch of the South), both based on 100% authentic Louisiana long grain rice. The latest product is the Whiskey La 1, the first whiskey matured in Louisiana after Prohibition. Corn provides the body, rye the flavour, barley the balance and rice the sweetness. The Rougaroux rum range takes its name from the mythical creature ‘Roo ga roo’ that is said to roam the sugarcane fields at full moon and pass sentence on evil spirits – its curse lasts 101 days. If you lay 13 pennies in front of the door, you will be safe from ‘Roo ga roo’. Since it can only count to 12, it tries again and again until sunrise, then it has to get back to its hole … The Rougaroux 13 Pennies Rum keeps the legend alive, and it is refined with roasted pecans, vanilla pods from Madagascar and sugarcane molasses from the region. The Rougaroux Full Moon Dark Rum ages in American oak, and the clear Rougaroux Sugarshine, made from molasses and sugarcane, rounds off the fiery trio.

Over recent years the achievements of this small Louisiana dream team have gained worldwide recognition and also earned well-deserved attention at the World Spirits Award, with silver for the Full Moon Dark Rum, Sugarshine, Oryza Vodka, Oryza Gin and American Whiskey.