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Edelbrandmanufaktur Wilhelm Marx – Luxurious products from Gut Bärenhof

Deep in the Bavarian Forest lies the idyllic farm belonging to the Marx family. Only founded in 2012, the fine brandy manufacturer was able to establish itself in the expert world within a very short space of time. Wilhelm Marx, qualified fine brandy sommelier, has concentrated on innovative products, without neglecting regional classics – which have, of course, been newly interpreted. This means that rather unusual ingredients, such as ginger and lemongrass, stand alongside local strawberries, dried pears and dandelion petals. The secret of their success is easily explained: passionate handicraft, meticulous procedure and the will to experiment.

As a passionate connoisseur, Wilhelm Marx, together with his wife Birgit, has achieved his dream: delicious distillates with natural ingredients, without flavourings, colourings or preservatives. Since August 2017, the products have been certified as ecological products and thus ‘ORGANIC’ according to the Council Regulation on organic production.

The Gut Bärenhof farm itself is a natural oasis, which could hardly be more beautiful. It provides ripe fruits such as quince, rosehip, sloe and elderberry, which are carefully processed by hand in small batches. Even the fresh ginger from Asia is peeled by hand and carefully processed.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Sicilian Organic Blood Orange, gold for Coffee Spirit and GIN BayernDry, silver for Organic Wild Raspberry, Hierbas del Bávaro Bosque, Blackcurrant, Elderberry, Organic Wild Blueberry, GIN infused by Elderflower, Espresso Liqueur and GINGERLIQ, and bronze for Artichoke Bitter and Genziana d‘Oro.

Garagenbrenner Wöhrer – Expertise and continuity

Some 35 years ago, Manfred Wöhrer started out as an amateur schnapps distiller, using rented equipment. Today, this ‘garage distiller’ and quality fanatic is one of the great masters of the distillery scene. In the past, he has applied his profound expertise to producing high-quality brandies in national and international tasting sessions as a former taster and valued member of the jury.

Manfred Wöhrer pursued his career as a master builder until 2010 when he handed over the construction firm to his son, Christoph. Now retired, he has more time to dedicate to distilling – and with growing success! Based on a secure foundation, he has built up a wide range of expressive distillates which are typical of their varieties and all bear his unique signature. No nonsense but classy, free from fancy names or marketing gimmicks.

Master distiller Manfred Wöhrer monitors all of the work processes in person, supported by family and friends: from the selection of the fruits and identification of the right time to harvest, to the selective determination of the distillery process, filling and packing. Annual production totals approx. 4,000 bottles, distributed across 16 to 18 different products. Particular emphasis is placed on the quality increase of the traditional brandies: apple, Williams pear, apricot, damson and cherry. Manfred Wöhrer has been working at a new distillery since 2005 – a bright room for working, tasting and shopping, where visitors can acquire first-hand knowledge at distilling demonstrations and tasting seminars.

Classified as a World Class Distillery 2018, there was double gold für Zwetschke 48 Reserva fassgelagert (barrel-aged damson) (Spirit of the Year 2018), gold for apricot and damson, and silver for yellow Williams pear, red Williams pear and sour cherry.

LA SU Gin: Exotic holiday feeling in a glass

Alexander Kayser and Christopher Schuh are true gin lovers and founders of the brand LA SU Gin – a registered brand of Expo Outline Messebau und Event GmbH in Altenstadt, with Alexander Kayser as the managing partner.

After exploring many trains of thought, it was clear to both of them that it had to be exotic. LA SU Gin is a premium handcrafted gin with a hint of fruity mango. Distilled in small batches, traditionally and without additives, it is made in one of the oldest distilleries in Europe. The mango gives it a special freshness and balances the tart notes of the spices perfectly. Next to the mango, LA SU evokes a sense of travel. Enjoy a holiday feeling and discover new taste sensations. The elaborate bottle design reflects a love of detail and certainly leaves an impression.

At the World Spirits Award, bronze was achieved by LA SU *MGO* Natural Mango.