World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Feinbrennerei Sasse: A pioneer of Korn distilling

Feinbrennerei Sasse perfectly combines the tradition of craftsmanship with the development of innovation. On the evening of St. Nicholas’ Day in 1987, Rüdiger Sasse held a bottle of Korn (grain distillate) in his hand, which his grandfather had distilled decades before. This moment was the inspiration for an idea that was to change the world of distilling, namely to redefine Korn as a high-quality spirit.

Sasse was the first distillery to recognise the potential of barrique ageing for Korn and perfected it. The resulting mild, golden Korn is a matured and complex grain distillate that no longer has anything in common with the simple ‘clear spirit’ produced long ago. Today, young and committed distillers continue the tradition, believe in regional raw materials, water from their own spring and organic ingredients. In Schöppingen, high-quality distillates are created with lots of passion and patience, handcrafted from the first ingredient through to the final bottling. This way, Feinbrennerei Sasse not only retains its history of almost 300 years but makes it shine again and again with new ideas.

The World Class Distillery 2025 was awarded Gold to Nju Korn Mild, Lagerkorn V.S.O.P., Nju Korn fruchtig, Nju Korn wuchtig, Lagerkorn Atlantic Finish, Cigar Special, Lagerkorn Rebellion, Heide Gin, Lagerkorn Good Luck Preussen and Limoncello.

Mack Brands: Finvara – Irish Whiskey

Finvara is produced by master distiller David F. Hynes and his team at the Great Northern Distillery (GND) in Dundalk. The town has access to the purest water from the nearby Cooley Mountains, which is why brewing and distilling has been carried out in the region since the late 17th century. Dundalk’s large municipal distillery was in operation between 1708 and 1926. Two historic buildings still exist and are now home to the County Museum and Dundalk Library.

Only Irish malted and unmalted barley is used for the Finvara brand whiskey. The mash is traditionally distilled three times in classic copper pot stills and matured in different types of cask, including American white oak bourbon casks and Spanish sherry casks. The name Finvara goes back to the legendary king of an enchanted kingdom. As a master of transformation, he could take on any form he wanted. His image on the label leads you off on a mystical journey into bygone times and mysterious worlds.

Conte Camillo offers ready-to-drink Negroni – perfect for the fast pace of life in the city. Its origin lies in the northern Italian Alps, where master distiller Alessandro Francoli is responsible for the harmonious combination of gin, vermouth and bitters in a small mountain distillery in the Aosta Valley. Each component is made separately with regional ingredients. The gin is based on mineral-rich water from the Acqueverdi waterfall, combined with juniper from 2,400 metres above sea level, gentian, wild mallow and mountain roses. Herbs such as the small-flowered mountain mint and the aromatic mountain thyme are used for the vermouth. In Bitter Artigianale, wormwood, gentian and elderflower join other aromas such as orange peel and liquorice root.

Limomacher: Regionally produced – socially labelled

Limomacher is a young Bregenz enterprise, according to their own definition “excellent in graphics, design, customer service, lemonade production, social involvement and coffee drinking”. However, a look at the brief biographies of the four-person team reveals quite a bit about their wide-ranging qualifications. All lemonades are produced regionally in Vorarlberg according to their own recipes. Short pathways right up until labelling – also labels for private customers and companies on request – reinforce sustainability, along with filling exclusively in glass bottles. The labelling, as well as the whole warehousing, are handled by Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg, a support organisation for people with disabilities. This is an indication that social thinking has been of great importance from the beginning.

At the beginning of 2018, the ‘Franz von Durst’ brand started in Spar shops, followed by the start-up shelf at Metro. The company developed a gin along with a tonic water for this purpose, as the first manufacturer in retailing that offers both as a one-stop shop. The gin that is also regionally produced goes perfectly with the tonic water and its animating and aromatic concept offers an exceptionally fruity drinking experience. Aside from the juniper base, five further botanicals play a role: angelica root provides a slight tanginess and supports the homogenous taste; orange peel is characterised by a range of aromatic substances and a fine hint of citrus; liquorice provides a complex sweetness with a slightly earthy note; elderberry has an intensive and refreshing taste; and hops gives it a special something.

“We are delighted that the Vorarlberg locals have received our gin so well and that we can expand step by step also into other provinces,” say the two young entrepreneurs.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was achieved by Franz von Durst Gin, and silver by Franz von Durst Dry Gin Wild.

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.