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Klippenziege: New era in the world of gin

In December 2015, four friends captured the ‘spirit’ of an idea: they were thinking about gin. Nearly a year later a small batch was bottled by hand. The individuality of a gin lies in the combination of the botanicals, in this case it is the exotic selection: mate tea, goji berries, physalis and a hint of rose. The Klippenziege is a New Western Dry Gin, in which juniper plays the main role amongst the other botanicals.

It is produced in the Habbel Distillery, which guarantees excellent quality thanks to its experience – it was established in 1878 and is now in the family’s fourth generation. The former Korn distillery in Sprockhövel with adjoining farmland is now the largest fruit distillery in the Ruhr region, as a traditional manufacturer it stands out with its attention to detail. The entire manufacturing process at Klippenziege can also be observed on-site.

The bottle and the label are also special. Designer Levent Aydin drew it carefully by hand, and then digitalised it before perfecting it. First it is printed, then coated, then stamped and embossed. The elegant result stands for friendship, solidarity and love. Working together in a friendly and familiar atmosphere connects people with a passion for life who share one important belief: that the product should encourage people to slow down, allowing for mindful enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Mate Dry Gin.

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.

Destillerie Freihof: Perfectly crafted Austrian spirits

Originating from the Freihof inn in Lustenau, the distillery developed into one of the leading distilleries in Austria under Gebhard Hämmerle. Currently his grandson, Johann J. Drexel, runs the family business in its fifth generation – since 1885 they have been dedicated to producing fine fruit brandies.

The basis of their success story is the knowledge of where the best fruits grow, to harvest them at the perfect moment, and then to concentrate on the best processing, fermentation, distillation and storage. Work on the quality of the distillates is carried out with passion and without any addition of flavourings and aromas to the fine brandies and schnapps.

Under the brand name Privatbrennerei Gebhard Hämmerle, selected top quality batches of each harvest year have been processed separately for over 60 years. More information can be found at: www.haemmerle.com. The products of the Freihof 1885 brand bring together honest, crafted Austrian spirits with innovative ideas and applications. More information can be found at: https://1885.freihof.com/.

The diverse product range includes the brand name spirits ‘Hauser Tradition’ – the essence of the Tyrolean mountains – and ‘Seyringer Schlossbrände’ – filled into bottles with handles following a design that is over 150 years old.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Freihof Jagertee, Hauser Tradition Enzian (gentian), Hauser Tradition Himbeer (raspberry), and silver for Hauser Tradition Williams (pear), Hauser Tradition Marille (apricot), Seyringer Schlossbrände Williams (pear) and Seyringer Schlossbrände Marille (apricot).