World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

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.

Berentzen Group: 260 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 2026, there was Gold for Tres Países Premium Rum and Silver for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin.

Konkani Distillery: Handcrafted gin with Indian roots

The team at the young distillery in Petershausen were inspired for this gin while on holiday in Goa on the west coast of India – a place to unwind, with dream beaches. The fresh and fruity mango drinks that you can buy on every corner are part of this. This taste experience prompted the creation of a distillate that gives everyone a holiday feeling for a while – a modern New Western Dry Gin with an ‘Indian profile’. The ingredients include tamarind, Litsea cubeba and turmeric, angelica and of course juniper, rounded off with mango and a tangy, fruity touch. The botanicals are processed by hand at Destille Kaltenthaler in Westhofen. You will not find industrial mass goods here, it is about filling dedication and lightness into bottles and providing them to people looking for an individual product.

Since language is the essence of communal living, the language of Goa became the namesake of this gin: Konkani. A mandala was chosen for the bottle design, taking up and representing the essence of botanicals, spices and fruits. In summary, this gin with Indian roots is intended to accompany the moments in life when we are gripped by yearning for a getaway, no matter whether it is on a fun evening, at a garden party or as a guest gift. One can always find an excuse to leave everyday stress behind and to switch off for a while.

At the World Spirits Award, bronze was awarded to KONKANI GOA INSPIRED DRY GIN.

Plomari Ouzo Distillery Isidoros Arvanitis: Original ouzo from Lesvos

Plomari on Lesvos is known as the home of ouzo. In 1894, Isidoros Arvanitis combined local ingredients with herbs which he had gathered from all around the world in a copper still. The famous recipe for Ouzo of Plomari Isidoros Arvanitis, current market leader in Greece, was born.

The distillery is located in an olive grove in picturesque Plomari, the village where ouzo has been produced for more than 125 years. The increase in export activity made the relocation to this larger plant necessary, where traditional production along with modern bottle filling and packaging take place. Today, Plomari Ouzo exports more than 76% of its production. The distillery is 100% family-owned and adheres to traditional methods.

The distillation in small, handmade copper vats for nine hours and the high-quality, local ingredients, combined with the top secret recipe, give the Ouzo of Plomari its characteristic aroma. The recipe that has remained unchanged for more than a century brings together the ideal ingredient proportions: soft water from the sources of the Sedounta river in Plomari, of course aniseed from Lisvori (which is considered the best in the world), fennel, star aniseed, cinnamon, nutmeg and mastic extract from Chios, a selection of herbs from Lesvos and salt from the salt marshes of Kalloni. Still today, this delicate yet rich delight is filled in a traditional bottle with typical corks.

The Ouzo of Plomari Citrus Liqueur is a blend of 100% Ouzo of Plomari with Greek citrus extracts, selected herbs and spices. The liqueur follows the traditional production, but has a milder, sweeter profile with hints of citrus. At 34% vol. it can be served chilled, on ice or in cocktails and complements the aniseed flavours of ouzo.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, Gold was awarded to Ouzo of Plomari Citrus Liqueur.