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Schwarze & Schlichte – Brand personalities from Westphalia

The family business Schwarze & Schlichte from Westphalia has been representing the highest quality spirits for the last 345 years with a distinct range of national specialities, regional traditional brands and successful international innovations. This top quality is based on a distilling tradition acquired over centuries which has been passed down over twelve generations. Even today, distilling and maceration still take place at the company’s own distillery where plenty of time and skill are invested. The selection and processing of the best raw materials and continuous control of the production process ensure a consistently high quality. One factor for success is the ongoing brand management in accordance with the specific requirements of the various brand personalities.

Three Sixty Vodka is one of the purest and mildest vodkas in the world. A fourfold distillation process ensures tangible softness and exceptional clarity while the purity of the vodka is all down to the time-consuming “Diamond Filtration” process: the finest filters are used, set with crystals like diamond dust, to remove even the smallest of suspended particles from the distillate. Even the packaging is unique: the facet-cut bottle of pure white shiny glass sets off this premium vodka to perfection. A black velvet label completes the sophisticated design.

The Grappa Bianca from Scavi & Ray is characterised by its full-bodied balanced flavour with powerful and intense aromas of marc. This crystal-clear brandy is soft and deliciously balanced thanks to the exquisite skill of the master distillery. The intense and fruity aroma is reminiscent of the sun-soaked vineyards in Italy.

Both products received a silver medal at the World-Spirits.

St. Kilian Distillers: Whisky made in Germany following Scottish tradition

Born from the idea of creating the largest whisky distillery in Germany, the owner Andreas Thümmler, the whisky legend David F. Hynes from Dublin and the master distiller Mario Rudolf started converting their plan into reality in 2012. Four years later, their dream was established in Rüdenau near Miltenberg am Main, based on the Scottish model, and within a short time the little village had developed into the centre of German whisky. A willingness to experiment is a top priority. Alongside a wide variety of malts, it also comprises way more than 390 different sizes and types of barrels, where whisky can mature under ideal conditions near the distillery – amid the pristine nature of the Odenwald forest in former NATO bunkers. At St. Kilian, craftsmanship and tradition meet technology and innovation. On Saint Patrick’s Day in 2016, the first distillate for barrel number 1 was created in Scottish washbacks and two 6,000 litre Forsyths copper pot stills from Speyside, helped along with German engineering skills. At the end of 2020, they succeeded in what was no doubt the most successful whisky launch in Germany: the combination of single malt whisky made in Germany with the cult figure Bud Spencer on the label. One year later, two whiskies followed with Spencer’s film partner Terence Hill. In 2021, the first heavy metal edition, ‘Tunes of War’, paid tribute to the German band ‘Grave Digger’, followed by further single malt whiskies and a cooperation with the British band ‘Judas Priest’: single malt whiskies and editions produced with ultra heavily peated barley malt bottled in a 0.7-litre bottle. Since the end of 2022, the core product range comprises two single malt whiskies: ‘CLASSIC – Mild & Fruity’ and ‘PEATED – Rich & Smoky’ made of 100% barley malt from Germany and the Scottish Highlands. Premium liqueurs are also produced in Rüdenau, and range from fruity-fresh and creamy-sweet to gently spicy and smoky-peaty varieties. The liqueurs are bottled in elegant, matte black 500 ml pot still glass bottles.

The World Class Distillery 2025 received Double Gold for St. Kilian Peated Rich & Smoky (Spirit of the Year & Award 2025), Terence Hill The Hero and Celtic Castle 2024, Gold for Bud Spencer The Legend, Judas Priest Invincible Shield, Judas Priest British Steel, Banana Joe Cream Liqueur, St. Kilian Classic Mild & Fruity, Terence Hill Voll auf die Nuss (hazelnut liqueur), Johnny Firpo Homemade Ein Klitze Pistazie (pistachio liqueur), Advocaat Egg Liqueur and Bud Spencer Distilled Dry Gin, and Silver for Signature Edition Fourteen.

Distillerie Meunier – Aromatic specialities from the south of France

The Meunier company is more than 200 years old and was founded in 1809 by Charles Meunier, a botanist from the region of Dauphiné in the Alps of Southern France. The distillery lies in the foothills of the Vercors mountain range, where many businesses have characterised the history of French spirit specialities over generations. Meunier has built on this experience too, concentrating on the manufacture of spirits based on plants and fruits.

The trademark is the traditional herb liqueur, Génépi, from the genepi or spiked wormwood (Artemisia genipi). Based on the core skill of artisanal production, a London Dry Gin was also introduced to the product range. The alcoholic base comes from beetroot, which is mixed with a balanced mixture of twelve plant extracts. The result: a refined composition with a fine aroma.

On a guided tour, visitors can find out many facts about the distilling history of the region, about the Meunier family, about the raw materials, and about the secrets of liqueur production. At Easter and before Christmas, there are also many varieties of chocolates available in addition to the spirits.

At the World Spirits Award, the jury decided the gin was worthy of a gold medal.