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Grenzwald-Destillation – Authenticity from the Ore Mountains

This small, family-run company in the German Ore Mountains specialises in herb liqueurs, herb spirits, fruit liqueurs and spirits. The history of the company dates back to 1882 when Emil Möckel purchased the head office building and opened a ‘manufactory of liqueurs and brandies’ as well as a wine merchant’s. On 20 October 1933, Otto Ficker (grandfather of the current director) acquired the shop and plot land. Despite many difficulties, the company continued to operate on a small scale until the fall of the Berlin Wall when Fritz Ficker and his son Peter started out afresh. Today they are proud of their successful “Craft Distillery for three generations”.

“In our company, we macerate, percolate and distil herbs, roots, fruits and blossoms following old traditions in copper vats. Over the last few years, our bottling and distillery plants have been modernised. This enables us to offer unusual products, especially for the catering industry. Our products have been given a new design and the product range has also been expanded. The schnapps museum at our headquarters demonstrates the historic production process. The atmosphere of this real herb distillation followed by a tasting session is a truly special experience.” Natural raw materials and the purest distillates guarantee top quality across the wide product range, which now comprises more than 40 high-quality products for the retail trade and catering sector.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Schwarzer Johannisbeer-Likör (blackcurrant liqueur) and Edel Destille Dry Gin No. I, and silver for Ingwer-Himbeer Spirituose (ginger raspberry spirit).

MattiE – Ellmauer Obstbrennerei: First-class distillery craftsmanship

Ellmauer Obstbrennerei is a Tyrolean family business that was handed over in 2009 from the Spielthenner-Walch family into the experienced hands of the Erber family, which has a long tradition of distilling dating back to 1909 in Brixen im Thale. After the external takeover, the talented distiller Matthias Erber moved to Ellmau in search of new challenges, where his fine skills are being put into practice.

The fourth and fifth generations work harmoniously together in the loving family business with the sole aim of producing high-quality distillates. Father and sons do everything they can to process only the finest fruit into fine brandies, because the essence is in the fruit, according to the distillery’s motto. Careful handling of raw materials and first-class mashing are the hallmarks of the Ellmauer Obstbrennerei. Whether handpicked sour cherries, Stanz plums, apricots, rowan berries or Gravensteiner apples: here you find everything your heart desires. In addition to fine brandies, schnapps and liqueurs, jams are prepared following traditional recipes.

On the one hand, inherited expertise meets acquired expertise in high-proof spirits. The trained brewer, maltster and distiller is the son of a famous autodidact in the world of spirits. On the other hand, a highly qualified producer meets a fully motivated distributor. Matthias is the doer, while Ramona is the hub of MattiE. The bonus for customers is that communication channels in a company could not be shorter.

At the World Spirits Award 2026, there was Gold for Zwetschken Brand (damson) and Weichsel Brand (sour cherry), and Silver for Marillen Brand (apricot).

Edward Snell – Whisky from South Africa

Edward Snell founded a trading company in Durban in 1848, from which the oldest spirit company in South Africa developed over 160 years. Following an eventful history, the company is now once again in the hands of the family. Besides their own brands they also sell numerous local and international drink brands, mostly in various markets in Africa and the Middle East.

The wide range of products includes whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and cognac. One outstanding label is Firstwatch Whisky with its new look, a striking, square bottle design. Consumer demand for a whisky with an American taste profile has been perfected over time and is presented today as a balanced blend of the finest imported rye and grain. Whether pure, on the rocks or mixed – its diversity makes it popular with many different target groups and successful in one of the largest spirit segments in South Africa.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Firstwatch Whisky.

Rhumerie de Chamarel - Rhumerie de Chamarel – A newcomer with vision

This high-quality rum from the island of Mauritius is produced in line with ecological guidelines. The products are distributed in Austria by the company Wind GmbH, based in Traiskirchen (www.wind-plast.at).

The road leads through extensive pineapple plantations and fields of sugar cane up to the distillery at an altitude of 300 m in the South-West of the island. Designed by a renowned architect, the building is elegant and authentic and a fine example of modern construction with its natural materials such as wood, stone and water. The comprehensive concept also incorporates the L’Alchimiste restaurant where up to 80 guests can savour the sophisticated regional cuisine. At the “Sugar Cane Spirit” boutique, various types of rum are on offer (White Rum, Le Coeur de Chauffe (fine brandy), Rum Paille (stored in wooden casks), Rum Arrange (flavoured with fruits and spices) as well as an exclusive clothing range, hand-made products and a small jewellery collection.

The location and climate of the fertile valley promote the growth and quality of the sugarcane. The sugarcane is harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and processed at the mill within four hours. The fields are not normally burnt, as is usually the case, to make harvesting easier. Even when distilling at the highest modern levels of technology, nothing is wasted: the bagasse – the fibrous remnants of the sugar production process – is burnt to obtain energy. The chimney contains the very latest smoke filters and the ash is used to fertilise the fields.

The company yet again impressed at the World-Spirits Award, with one gold and four silvers.