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PUR ORGANIC PRODUCTS: Regional, pure and organic

Inspired and enlivened by the region and in harmony with nature, the Ackerl family has already been making organic vodka for eleven years. They use what grows in the Waldviertel region and what tastes good on its own, without needing any extra help: potatoes, rye and apples. All three have plenty in common and yet are very different on closer inspection. In the beginning there was the most neu-tral form, the potato vodka, followed a short time later by the fragrant apple vodka and the subtly sweet rye vodka. The name nørderd connects the regional origins – ‘nørd’ for north, the Waldviertel – and the origins of the raw ingredients – ‘erd’ for soil, where the potato grows. Distillation takes place in a distillery in the Weinviertel following the strictest organic guidelines, without flavour enhancers or other additives.

The brothers Gregor and Julian Ackerl, together with friend and managing director David Wais, con-tinue what their father, Hans Ackerl, began: the idea of offering organic vegetables in a form which would keep longer. And this is how the spirit of the Waldviertel is sent out into the world, with raw materials that are 100% organic, sustainable and grown regionally. Hans Ackerl already had an affini-ty for high-quality, organic fruit and vegetables more than 30 years ago, his farm was already organic in the early 1980s. Now, with nørderd, this is to be transformed into something that connects urban life with the countryside.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for nørderd Single Malt Vodka, and silver for nørderd Pure Potato Vodka and nørderd Pure Apple Vodka.

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.