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Summerhall Distillery – Pickering’s Gin based on a family recipe

The Summerhall Distillery is located on the grounds of an old veterinary clinic, which used to be part of a veterinary college known as ‘Dick Vet’. Summerhall itself is a creative, artistic centre with plenty of room for studios and workshops. Right in the middle is the ‘The Royal Dick’ pub, directly next to the gin distillery – the first in Edinburgh for over 150 years. This explains how gin can be served here directly ‘from the barrel’ via a pipeline.

Production started on 27th March 2014, and since then, Pickering’s Gin has been manufactured following an original recipe from Bombay. Written by hand on a piece of paper dated 17th July 1947, the ‘family secret’ was rediscovered in 2013, as Marcus Pickering and Matthew Gammell set up the distillery. They observed the trend to gin for over five years before developing the idea of their brand and this discovery was the ‘juniper cherry on the cake’, so to speak.

The old recipe was refined and perfected, and the balance of the nine botanicals was adapted to suit contemporary tastes. Juniper, cardamom, coriander, angelica, fennel, aniseed, lemon, lime and cloves are carefully measured out and added to the grain spirit, which awaits the refining process in a 500 litre copper container – nicknamed ‘Gert’. A custom-made water bath heater provides the gentle heat which extracts the subtle aromas from the ingredients.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Pickering’s Gin, Pickering’s Navy Strength Gin, gold for Pickering’s 1947 Gin, and silver for Pickering’s Tattoo Edition Gin.

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.

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.