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Roust Hungary: Affordable luxury on the spirits market

Roust was founded in 1992 by the Russian businessman Roustam Tariko and quickly developed into a leading business group in the sale of premium spirits brands. One of the world’s leading vodka producers, the company is present in more than 80 countries. Roust owns production plants and distribution centres in Hungary, Russia and Italy. The comprehensive portfolio includes the flagship vodka brands of Russian Standard, Green Mark, Parliament and Zhuravli.

Thanks to its extensive knowledge in sales and marketing and its commitment to responsible alcohol consumption, Roust Hungary has become the leading supplier on the domestic spirits market. The largest premium spirits company in Hungary also sells the Royal, Zubrówka, Russian Standard, Gancia, Grants, Jägermeister and Metaxa brands.

For years, Royal Vodka has maintained its position as the most popular and well-known vodka brand in Hungary, and also remains market leader in terms of volume and turnover. Royal Vodka is produced using natural ingredients, from the grain to the well water, which contributes to its mild taste.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Royal Original Vodka, and bronze for Royal Raspberry Liqueur.

Prevelon: Premium vodka by order of the Kremlin

Kremlin Premium Vodka was created as the official drink for all diplomatic receptions and banquets at the Kremlin and was intended as the hallmark of high-ranking events. The decision in favour of the most traditional Russian drink was unanimous. It was only produced on special order and in limited amounts. The first large batch of this ‘protocol’ vodka was ordered in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference. Kremlin Award Grand Premium came on the market in 2011 and is exported to 38 countries, and in many of them it holds the top position in the ultra-premium vodka category. Since 2016, the product range has included Kremlin Award Classic, which enjoys great popularity amongst all partners.

Two products have been added to the product range. Kremlin Award Organic is based on alcohol that is produced from the highest quality organic wheat, and on natural drinking water. The vodka passes through a multi-stage purification through pure birchwood charcoal. The alcohol for Kremlin Award Vintage is made from organic grains from the same harvest. The wheat grains are stored in a grain silo until they reach their physiological maturity in order to get a high-quality base product. The ‘luxury alcohol’ is then mixed with natural drinking water and, after purification, is granted a resting period. Production is limited to the year stated on the label.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Kremlin Award Organic and Kremlin Award Vintage.

Dons of Gin: Redevelopment of a classic

Two friends tell the story of how they arrived at their own gin: “We were in Paris, the city of love. Our wives had gone out and we were minding the children. When they were fast asleep, we pursued our favourite hobby: sampling gins, on this occasion local French ones. It was then that we decided to create our own London Dry Gin, without an overtone but with the rarely used Schinus berries, the fruit of the Brazilian pepper tree. This crackpot idea resulted in our first gin and many samplings and tastings followed with friends in order to determine where to go with the taste. With our master distiller, we then went into detail and reduced the botanicals – including ginger, lime and lemon zest – to show that sometimes less complexity is required, just like in life. The result is a gin with 18 botanicals that stimulates our senses and releases new nuances with every sip.”

The Dons of Gin want to appeal to all those who value a relaxed atmosphere with their loved ones, who like to slow down and enjoy carefree time together. Of course, a good gin is part of this, whether pure or with an Indian-style tonic water. The two of them know a lot about this and have put together quite a little ‘library’ – from the history of gin and different types to cocktails and food pairing.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Dons of Gin.

Drink Syndikat: Enjoy bar culture at home

Since 2014, Erik Pfauth and Jens Hoffmann have been creating cocktail kits for at home use – of the highest standards and inspired by the international bar scene. They cooperate for this purpose with renowned bartenders and independent distilleries. Their fascination for high-quality spirits and the knowledge gathered in recent years are concentrated in the spirits collection. To date, a spirits quartet with innovative character has been created: 3 x rum and 1 x gin.

Erik and Jens are fascinated by rum, because there is scarcely another spirit that is so multifaceted, in their view. It is therefore their centrepiece for the creation of new taste sensations. Nicolas Kröger from Wagemut Produktion GmbH is responsible for development and production. He imports Caribbean rum and refines it in sherry and port barrels, among others – with his expertise and according to the directives of Drink Syndikat.

Cookie Dough Rum has an enticing biscuit-vanilla aroma, integrated into rums from Barbados and Panama, and matured in white oak barrels. Port Cask Rum Panama is a blend of 8, 13 and 18-year-old rum, matured in tawny port barrels. Hazelnut Rum is a duet of rum and spirits with natural hints of roasted hazelnuts. The rum from the renowned Foursquare Rum Distillery from Barbados matured for twelve years in ex-bourbon whiskey barrels. It was ground with the hazelnut spirit of the Black Forest distiller Stefan Marder. The blend matured for three months in freshly emptied Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Cookie Dough Infused Rum, and silver to Hazelnut Rum, Port Cask Rum and the Dry Gin house gin.