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Stock Spirits: Tradition, origin and innovative strength

Stock Spirits is one of the leading spirits producers in Europe and offers a high-quality portfolio, connected to its local and regional heritage. Italy is one of the most diverse countries for spirits. From Alpine herbal bitters to Mediterranean citrus distillates, from traditional grappa to modern craft spirits: Italian spirits are known for craftsmanship, regional identity and sensory depth.

Stock Spirits pick up on this heritage. They are based on classic raw materials such as grapes, pomace, herbs, roots, citrus peel and spices, all deeply rooted in the respective regions. Production often follows traditional methods such as discontinuous distillation, slow maceration or natural flavouring, supplemented by contemporary quality standards and precise sensory analysis.

Typical of Italian spirits is their connection to the culinary world: in addition to the variety of aperitifs and digestifs, they are an indispensable part of the eating and drinking culture. Bitter, sweet, spicy or floral – the broad spectrum ranges from clearly structured basic spirits to complex aroma compositions for bar culture and upscale gastronomy.

Stock Spirits offer a broad basis for retail, bars and further processing: consistent quality, a clear profile and versatile in use. They combine Italian origin with international connectivity – whether as the basis for liqueurs, cocktails, modern interpretations of classic recipes or innovative indulgence concepts. With their focus on authenticity, the quality of their raw materials and precision craftsmanship, they exemplify a spirits culture that respects the past and shapes the future.

Limoncè Aperitivo won Silver at the World Spirits Award.

HirschRudel: Herb liqueur following an old family recipe

HirschRudel herb liqueur is made using a very elaborate procedure. To achieve a perfect high-quality result of course requires plenty of dedication, therefore importance is attached to manual work. Each production comprises around 4,000 bottles of 0.5 litres, along with individual magnum bottles in very small batches. All the bottles are filled and labelled by hand with individual numbering and the filling date. Natural cork with a tin lid and the recipe complete the package. But the most important feature is of course the taste!

HirschRudel was brought to life by Dirk Verpoorten, a partner in the egg liqueur dynasty from Bonn. In his grandma Elly’s heirlooms he found an old trunk where she kept a book of mementos, in which she recorded a recipe for a herb liqueur she had created herself on the occasion of a family celebration. Dirk Verpoorten tried out the recipe and was so delighted with the taste that he decided to bring the herb liqueur back to life under the name HirschRudel in memory of his grandmother.

At the World Spirits Award, HirschRudel Herb Liqueur was awarded gold.

Bimmerle: Know-how meets regionality and trend awareness

At the production site in the Black Forest town of Sasbach, which was opened in 2015, this family business sets innovative standards in technology, sustainability and environmental protection. For the last five decades, Bimmerle has strived for the highest quality, with focussed know-how, modern high-tech and the traditional art of distilling. This is the first distillery in Germany where all the heating requirements and power generation are covered by the burning of fruit stones combined with woodchips from the region.

In Germany and on the European market, Bimmerle is a leader in the fruit brandies sector with the Lörch brand. In order to make the ‘playground’ more interesting, the brand identity was modernised in 2024 and will be extended in 2025 by a fruit brandy range matured in wooden casks. Needle Black Forest Gin is among the top 5 most widely sold gins in Germany. The portfolio has been expanded since 2018 with WOOD STORK Spiced Rum and the EVERMANN Black Forest whiskies Theo & Wilhelm introduced in 2022. The Black Forest distillery has enriched the liqueur and aperitif market with as many as five exciting creations under the DON PASQUALE brand.

The World Class Distillery 2025 & Distillery of the Year 2025 – Bronze (Bitters & Liqueurs) received Gold for Don Pasquale Limoncello Liqueur, Zünftler Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Wood Stork Spiced Rum, Lörch Waldhimbeergeist (wild raspberry spirit), Lörch Vanillekipferl Sahnelikör (vanilla cream liqueur), Needle Gin Green, Don Pasquale Aperitif Bitter Liqueur, Don Pasquale Espresso Martini Liqueur, Don Pasquale Hazelnut Liqueur and Lörch Linzertorte Sahnelikör (Linzer tart cream liqueur). Silver was awarded to Kronenhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Zinselhof Alter Williams Christ Birnenbrand (pear brandy), Lörch Altes Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser (damson spirit), Needle Blackforest Distilled Dry Gin, Needle Gin Rosé, Don Pasquale Pistachio Cream Liqueur, Lörch Bratapfel Sahnelikör (baked apple cream liqueur), Zünftler Alte Williams Christ Birne (pear brandy), Lörch Williams Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (pear spirit aged in a wooden cask) and Lörch Marille Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (apricot spirit aged in a wooden cask), and Bronze to Lörch Obst Spirituose im Holzfass gelagert (fruit spirit aged in a wooden cask).