World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

LIEBELEI: Organic liqueur manufactured in Chemnitz

Juergen Lange and Thomas Rebsch are the creative minds behind the small but outstanding production facility in Chemnitz, where organic egg liqueur is manufactured through careful manual work, 130,000 bottles a year: along with the bestseller ‘Pur’ made of organic eggs and bourbon vanilla, also the creamy ‘Schokokuss’ made with three types of cocoa, ‘Spektakulatius’ with its very own blend of spices and the ‘Flotte Orange’ with a hint of organic orange oil. Natural ingredients are exclusively used, without any aromatic substances, colouring agents or additives.

It all started with a romance across many kilometres, during which homemade egg liqueur was given as mutual gifts by Juergen and Thomas. Over the course of time, the recipes were refined and they decided to let family and friends enjoy them too. This heralded the birth of LIEBELEI LIKÖRE and ‘Pur’ soon developed into the ‘must have’ for enthusiasts. The egg liqueur was offered for the first time in 2017 at the Chemnitz Christmas market and quickly sold out. Four weeks later, online sales were launched. Over the years, its presence and turnover has increased steadily and many contacts were forged, because the markets were an optimal multiplier – until they were all cancelled due to Covid. Luckily, the turnover shortfall could be largely compensated for online. In 2021, production was switched to organic. In the meantime, the products are listed at over 300 retailers and suppliers. The next goals are wholesalers and expansion to Austria and Switzerland. The team is growing and a new production building is being opened.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to the Liebelei organic egg liqueur Pur.

Dolleruper Destille: Regional products from Northern Germany

Near to Flensburg, Germany’s northernmost distillery can be found in a timber-framed house. The copper still, with which distillates from various fruits have been manufactured since 2003, is the showpiece of the building. In 2014, Dr. Axel Hartwig and Werner Sauer took over operations. Originally from the brewery business, they discovered a great passion for distilling and developing new products, so now also whisky, rum, gin and other spirits are available. Unusual ingredients also find their way into the distilling vat for products such as carrot brandy and cocoa spirit.

Because an environmentally friendly procedure is important for the distillers, many distillates are organically certified. As members of the FEINHEIMISCH network and the Nature Conservancy Foundation, regional production is paramount. The ingredients used are (as far as available) harvested in the Schleswig-Holstein countryside. The hand-bottled distillates can be tasted and purchased in the Bioland-certified on-site shop. Show-brewing and distilling seminars offer deeper insights into the subject. The young team has expanded due to increased production, whereby innovation and university knowledge meet many decades of experience – the perfect foundation for creative, high-quality recipes in tune with the latest trends.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Die Hand Buddhas.

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.

At the World Spirits Award, there was Gold for Ardfallen 10 Year Old Whiskey and Boyle’s Gin, and Silver for Boyle’s Sloe & Damson Gin and Ardfallen Whiskey.