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Heimat Distillers: Taste from the homeland

In an old natural stonework in Schwaigern near Heilbronn sits one of the largest spirits manufacturers in southern Germany. Marcel Eßlinger, Raphael Heiche and Rouven Richter work sustainably here and with attention to detail. They have been friends since childhood. Rouven’s father and Raphael’s father-in-law are the fifth generation to run the family-owned distillery. The trio started looking into distillation early on and gin is integral to their evenings together. As regards the recipe for their own gin, ‘authentic taste from the homeland’ was to be put into bottles. 18 hand-selected botanicals were processed, such as meadow sage and thyme, as well as apples from the regional meadow orchards. Distilling takes place in a traditional copper pot still in a small batch procedure, then the gin matures in a stoneware barrel.

Their latest product is Rum Ramero, which matures on site in one of the biggest rum barrel warehouses in Germany. The story of how it evolved is interesting. In 2014, the three founders headed to Guyana for a social project, where they met an enthusiastic sugarcane farmer – today the basis for their own rum brand. The sugarcane comes 100% from natural cultivation and is fair trade. With every bottle sold, they are supporting social projects in the cultivation regions. “Only through the maturation in our own barrel warehouse can we bring the quality to the required level,” Rouven explains. “For us, barrels are more than a receptacle, they are the decisive ingredient for individuality.”

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Ramero Rum Blanco, silver to Heimat Dry Gin, Ramero Rum Cask Selection and the ginger spirit Ingefaer, and bronze to Heimat Barrel Aged Dry Gin.

Cezana: Gin and rum from the south of Romania

The Magura Zamfirei distillery is situated in the Greater Wallachia area in the south of the country. After over 15 years of experience in agriculture and the cultivation of wheat, barley, rye and corn, Cezana implemented the latest technology, automation software and digitisation at all levels in 2021, following the logical progression from farming to alcohol production. All the natural ingredients were available, as well as the expertise for manufacturing first-class products. In 2022, they worked with two small facilities, an 85-litre hybrid still and a 50-litre iStill. 15,000 bottles a year can be distilled with the pot stills. A 1,000-litre mash tank and a 1,100-litre fermentation tank are equipped with an automation system for controlling all mashing and fermenting processes. Filling and labelling are semi-automatic, with a capacity of 1,000 bottles per day.

Dry Gin No. 4 is the first 100% hand-crafted Romanian gin, processing juniper berries, citrus fruits, hibiscus, chokeberry and blackberries, as well as local herbs. Moonlight Gin is distilled at full moon from 15 botanicals, along with juniper there is also coriander, cardamom, blackcurrants, orange and lime peel, pink pepper, ginger, angelica root, liquorice root, vanilla, cinnamon, grains of paradise (Guinea pepper), iris and Clitoria ternatea blossom. The latter provides the unusual ultramarine blue colour. For Haiduc Rum White, sugar cane molasses from South America is traditionally processed by the master distiller.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Moonlight Gin and Haiduc Rum White, and silver to Dry Gin No. 4.

MBG International Premium Brands – Brands with added value

“We Love Liquids.” This slogan has accompanied MBG on its worldwide path of success since it was founded in 1993 under the name P.O.S. Marketing + Vertrieb GmbH: Strong brands have been established around the world in nearly 60 countries, with innovative own brands, renowned retail brands, great ideas and a lot of energy. With over 250 employees, the MBG Group currently generates over € 200 million and, every year, more than a million hectolitres are produced. The portfolio in Germany includes 12 own brands and 6 retail brands (from non-alcoholic drinks to low proof drinks to wines & spirits) for 90,000 customers.

“Our recipe for successful brands is the mixture of passion, conviction and knowledge of the market. If all goes well, names and products become new worlds which consumers love. Success is not always predictable, which means that courage is needed above all. The right moment has to be found and hard work put in, just like with a hit single: some are one hit wonders while others become classics.” Little can be added to this definition from Managing Director Andreas W. Herb. From the MBG Group headquarters in Paderborn, a great deal of expertise makes successful brands, tailored to the respective target group and the market segment. Many brands that are well known on shop shelves and in the gastronomy sector have played a role in the history of the company.

Participation in the World Spirits Award yielded gold for Dos Mas Nasty Nuts Shot.