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Georg Hemmeter – XUXU, Escorial, SILLA EL FUERTE

Georg Hemmeter – strawberry drinks with exceptional flavour guaranteed

The name Georg Hemmeter – a company of the Underberg Group – stands for innovative spirits, in particular the XUXU range. The fresh and fruity strawberry drink contains 66 percent fruit plus crystal-clear vodka, rounded off with a dash of lime. The harmony between the sweetness of the fruit and just 15% alcohol by volume is created using a special production method. XUXU Ten, the little luxury in a 250 ml aluminium bottle with only 10% alcohol by volume, is dressed to party – it is still relatively new to the market, yet is already at home in all the world’s top party venues.
XUXU can be served in so many different ways: chilled, neat, on crushed ice, as a dessert topping, with sparkling wine or with other mixers – XUXU tastes heavenly and offers fresh and fruity pleasure. Welcome to Berrydise!

Initially the absolute top star in Greece, XUXU is now also number 1 in Russia, and extremely popular in Turkey and Italy too.


XUXU Strawberry & Vodka Drink and XUXU Ten won Gold at the World Spirits Award 2014.

Rhum Rhum – Caribbean dreams

Marie-Galante, a small island in the French Antilles, was discovered by Columbus on his second journey on 3 November 1493 and has been named after one of his caravels: Maria-Galanda. The first French settlers came here in 1648 and began to cultivate sugar cane. New settlers then arrived from Italy a few years ago: master distiller Vittorio Capovilla, luxury goods importer Luca Gargano and rum producer Dominique Thierry from the Bielle distillery – a charismatic trio of characteristic people who had found themselves a new challenge.

Marie-Galante was also known as the “island of 100 windmills” in the heyday of sugar cane production in the 19th century. The towers of the windmills were previously used to press the sugar cane and are now just tourist attractions – although the modern Rhum Agricole is certainly causing a stir on the spirits scene. The experiment began in 2006 and underwent an extensive test phase.

This new rum is rich in substance and aromatic, yet lacks the usual caramel flavours. The rum is made using classic methods based on the juice of the sugar cane, yet using the latest technology: temperature-controlled fermentation over eight to nine days, the use of specially selected yeast, a double distillation process in copper pot stills, the avoidance of chemical additives and finishing in lightly toasted French barriques from Yquem. Master distiller “Gianni” Capovilla ensures perfectionism throughout thanks to his extensive experience.

A tip for enjoying the Rhum Blanc: serve in a chilled glass at room temperature as an aperitif, garnished with lemon zest!

Blanc: intensive flavour of sugar cane. Very complex and dense. Soft on the palate without the usual caramel texture. Aperitif; serve at room temperature, in chilled glasses, with lemon zest!

5th place in the rum category and classification as a “Master-Class Distillery”. Rhum Blanc Agricole, Rhum Bois Noble, Single Barrel Rhum Bois (Vieux), Rum Paille

Kornbrennerei H. Heydt – An awareness of tradition and trends

The medium-sized family business was founded in 1860 in Haselünne, which is in Emsland in Northern Germany, an area which lives from agriculture, grazing and forestry. The home distillery developed into an important business over the generations. Grain has always been the base, and over the years the product range has been continually improved and expanded. Wheat distillate was reinterpreted to make this forgotten kind more accessible again to consumers. The grain distillate, which is distilled in their own distillery, matures over several years in carefully selected wooden barrels. Hubert Heydt is a member of the fourth generation of the family to run the business and he has always looked ahead, just like the company’s founder: “We still have lots to do! Our barrel storage cellar has many a treasure ready for our customers.”

The portfolio includes traditional brands from the clear spirits category, herb liqueurs, light fruit spirits and vodka-based contemporary brands. The product philosophy is focused on the further development of existing products by taking over traditional brands that are well-known. The ‘Steinhäger’ is one such product. Heydt has, however, also established new trends with its own brands; the ‘light power products’ are a success story in themselves. Limited editions are marketed under the ‘Heydt Manufaktur’ label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was a haul of six gold awards and one silver.