World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Blue Liquors – Blue Mauritius Gold

The name brings luxury to mind, as it actually refers to the legendary postage stamp which was issued in the British Crown Colony in 1847. It took 165 years for Blue Mauritius Rum to come on the market – yet rum production in the island kingdom in the middle of the Indian Ocean actually goes back even further. The first sugar cane plantations had already been set up by the French East India Company in the 18th century. Nearly 90 percent of the farmland of Mauritius is used for the cultivation of sugar cane.

Blue Mauritius Rum is produced using a basis of local sugar cane molasses, which is fermented for 36 hours before distillation. The alcohol obtained is reduced to 60 percent by volume and then stored in South African port wine barrels. Processing and blending is carried out in small quantities, filled in small batches, in striking, square bottles made of heavy French glass. A wooden stopper, with a seal in the form of an old coin and a suede strap and, of course, the ‘stamp-blue’ label round off the elegant outfit. A velvet-covered gift box is also available in this royal colour.

At the World Spirits Award, Blue Mauritius Gold received a gold medal.

Salm Bräu: Brewing and distilling in Vienna

One of the most beautiful brewery inns in the country can be found in a tract in the over 450-year-old baroque Salesian monastery next to the Lower Belvedere Palace. The company also has its own distillery and an inn that serves traditional dishes.

Company founder Walter Welledits discovered the property in 1993, revitalised the historical building, had a brewery built and matched the furnishings of the restaurant to the style of the building with solid dark wood and copper lamps. Beer of the best quality is brewed following century-old recipes, from bottom-fermented, typical Viennese beers to top-fermented wheat beers – making Salm Bräu the most easterly wheat beer brewery in Europe. Also following old recipes, two to three times a week, specialities are distilled from the best beer in the on-site distillery next to the brewhouse. Anyone who wants to know how beer brandies are made can make an appointment with the master brewer.

The beer is decarbonised and distilled in a two-hour process, whereby about two litres of distillate are obtained from 50 litres of beer. The addition of specially prepared water brings this to a drinking strength of about 40 percent alcohol by volume. During the subsequent long storage period, the spirit loses its edge, and becomes mild and aromatic with a pleasantly rounded finish.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Salm Bräu Bierschnaps and Salm Bräu Whisky.

Aldi Ireland: Gin and whiskey in retail

Aldi Ireland has several top products in its spirit range: Boyle’s Gin from the Blackwater Distillery and Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery, in addition, Mo Chara Passionfruit & Mango Gin from the Old Carrick Mill.

The Blackwater Distillery has been an Aldi partner since 2016 and developed the private label Boyle’s Gin exclusively for the Irish and British retail market. The product volume of the Blackwater Distillery for Aldi has risen strongly in recent years, whereby 140,800 bottles of the gin series were sold in 2018. The successful gin brand is manufactured in Blackwater Valley, West Waterford, with selected imported ingredients as well as regional apples, blackcurrants and elderflower. CEO Peter Mulryan – former TV producer and author of the book ‘The Whiskeys of Ireland’ – explains, “The partnership with Aldi has helped us to increase turnover enormously, and also to have the security to invest and expand. This includes on-site bottling facilities and a visitor centre.” Ardfallen Whiskey from the West Cork Distillery got its name from the region in County Cork where the malted barley comes from, and is only manufactured in small batches. The business was founded in 2003 by childhood friends who started out with only two small stills they had bought in Switzerland. Now the largest distillery in the country, it currently employs over 80 staff and exports to around 70 countries.

Beim World-Spirits Award 2025 gab es Gold für Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey, Dúchas Irish Whiskey, Silver für Ardfallen Triple Cask Whiskey, Boyle‘s Sloe & Damson Gin, Dolmen Honey Moonshine.

Berentzen Group: 250 years of cultured distilled spirits

Berentzen Group is an innovative beverage company that boasts a wide portfolio and develops, produces and markets varied and fashionable drinks concepts. The portfolio includes spirits, alcohol-free beverages and fresh juices. With over 260 years of experience, they are one of the oldest national manufacturers of spirits and have a market presence in over 60 countries to date, with brands such as Berentzen and Puschkin as well as reasonably priced private label products.

In April 2023, Norden Sea Salt Gin was launched on the German market under the Doornkaat brand. It is a speciality on the gin shelf, as selected North Sea botanicals create an extraordinary and intense taste experience: juniper provides the spice, sea buckthorn and rosehip the fruity tartness. Norden Sea Salt Gin is rounded off with a pinch of sea salt. This spirit spreads the genuine nature and authenticity of the North Sea coast throughout Germany. It is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on ice or mixed as a long drink or cocktail.

Tres Países Premium Rum combines distillates from Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic. After being stored for up to eight years in American white oak bourbon casks, they come to Europe for refinement by the master blender. The characteristics of the countries provide the taste profile: vanilla and butterscotch, elegant fruit, banana and chocolate. It is also available in a port cask finish, which is refined in aged casks for another six months.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Gold for Doornkaat Norden Sea Salt Gin and Tres Países Premium Rum.