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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.

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.

Bruno Perkonig –Carinthia’s number 1 small distillery

Bruno Perkonig’s career as a distiller started out in 1995 and to date, every product submitted to a competition has received a reward. Bruno Perkonig is a fixed contender at industry events and operates Carinthia’s number 1 small distillery. The limited yet refined annual production totals 160 litres and 15 distillates which are primarily sold to private enthusiasts. Some of the rarest products, based on the philosophy of “less is more”, include berry brandies made from local wild fruits. Fruit brandies and schnapps made from pip and stone fruits complete the selection.

Bruno Perkonig’s main job is as a teacher but his part-time teaching work leaves him plenty of time for schnapps distilling and researching the secrets of nature. Bitters are made from herbs and roots and soothing ointments are concocted. A visit to St. Ulrich near Feldkirchen is certainly worthwhile: a more than 350 years old farmhouse has been painstakingly transformed and restored so that “tinctures and ointments can be produced here”. Bruno Perkonig says with a wink that the building would be perfect for increasing his distilling capacity. The distilling and storage take place in a stone vaulted room and a farmer’s lounge has been adapted for hosting tastings and cultural events.

The results of the World Spirits Award speak for themselves: classification as a First Class Distillery 2012, gold for the apple quince, silver for the raspberry, Knorpelkirsch cuvée (cherry) and Zwetschke Holz (plum) and bronze for the rose apricot.