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Finest Beverages: Huckleberry Gin – A homage to friendship

For more than 30 years, the experienced master distiller has run the family business in the Black For-est, now in its third generation. Behind the brand he is joined by Max and Jens, two beverage retailers from Munich. At every bottling they are all present, and each bottle passes through their hands. As well as being helping hands, this quality control is very important as the ‘fruits of their labour’ are sent out to friends in the furthest corners of the world.

The gin is a homage to their friendship and is distilled lovingly and peacefully using 22 botanicals. The name Huckleberry – another word for blueberry – reveals an important ingredient. Added to this is the typical flavour of juniper berries, but also angelica root, coriander seeds, ginger root, a little cin-namon and a hint of lavender. To make the gin fruitier, lemon peel, elderflower, hop blossom, pep-permint and raspberry are added. It is triple distilled and, as the last step, fresh raspberries and blue-berries are added, which give the gin its special berry flavour. The blueberry fragrance spreads throughout the room as it is distilled and bottled. And, at the end of a hard day’s work, everyone drinks to friendship.

At the World Spirits Award, there was bronze for Huckleberry Gin.

Vittorio Capovilla: Perfection of quality

Vittorio Capovilla typifies Italian distillation culture – with elegant fruit brandies and perfect grappa. Only the fresh marc of different grape varieties is used for the excellent grappa range and the raw materials for the fruit brandies are selected. Only 100% distillates (no gin or spirits) were produced until 15 years ago, when he began to distil rum. In the year 2018, Capovilla received the WSA‘s lifetime achievement award.

At the foot of Monte Grappa in the Venetian Maritime Alps, in the historical cellars of Villa Dolfin in Rosà near Bassano, stands the modern distillery of a quality fanatic – constructed according to a perfectionist’s design.

The number one Italian distiller is also an international star. Whilst still managing to keep his feet on the ground, ‘Gianni’ is still the same kind and charming, decent, nature-loving person who is full of passion and zest for life. In his philosophy, he is uncompromising and persistent, from the search for raw materials to the design of the bottles. The highest quality is still paramount where grappa and fruit distillates are concerned, which are always produced without ‘sugar refining’, and which have established a new understanding of quality in the phrase ‘Spirits made in Italy’.

The World Class Distillery 2022 OBB and World Class Distillery 2022 GRAPPA received gold for Grappa Amarone legno, Distillato di Amarene di Montagna, Distillato Bierbrand legno, Grappa Barolo, Grappa Traminer, Grappa Moscato Giallo, Grappa Moscato Rosa, Distillato di Vino Diesel Farm and Distillato di Mele Cotogne. Silver was awarded to Distillato Prunus Aurum, Distillato di Sorbo dell’Uccellatore, Grappa Bassano Centenario and Distillato di Vino Parusso.

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.