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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.

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.

Manufaktur Jörg Geiger: Dedication and perfection – Swabian virtues

Jörg Geiger, autodidact and cook, discovered his fascination for meadow fruit and producing drinks with them at an early age at his parents’ family enterprise. This led to a deep passion when it came to old types of apples and pears, their cultivation and processing. Sustainable, nature-preserving work is what drives him as a constant motivation. His focus is on preserving healthy soil, ancient trees and traditional types, building a new appreciation for the harvest and making meadow orchard owners proud once more. He also conveys this in monthly YouTube videos.

All the products bear testimony to originality, craftsmanship and dedication. From alcohol-free to complex and even rather crazy recipes, there is something to suit every taste. The production facility has developed an exciting and varied spectrum of meadow fruit specialities through Swabian ambition and diligence, as well as through Jörg Geiger’s skills.

FRUCHTVOL. liqueurs as diverse as the seasons are new to the range. Double-distilled grape brandies are combined with fully ripe fruit and balanced by hand with herbs, flowers and spices. One can choose the spring-like cherry liqueur, refined with sloe, dandelion and elderberry. Or perhaps the summery quince liqueur, with hay flowers, acacia blossoms and garden herbs. There is also the autumnal blackcurrant liqueur, with lavender blossoms and coriander, followed by the intense wintery damson liqueur with cinnamon, cloves and star anise.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Fruchtvol. Johannisbeerlikör (blackcurrant liqueur), silver for Fruchtvol. Quittenlikör (quince liqueur), and bronze for Fruchtvol. Kirschenlikör (cherry liqueur).

Tamborine Mountain Distillery – Original from the original

Visitors to the distillery owned by Michael and Alla Ward can explore this colourful and perhaps somewhat crazy world. The couple moved from Tasmania to Queensland in 1992 where they purchased 1.3 hectares of land in the backcountry of the Gold Coast, fascinated by the diversity of fruit growing here. Since they didn’t use any chemical sprays, the harvested fruits did not correspond to market requirements. So what to do with the large volume of fruit produced? Soon the solution was found: ferment and distil it!

Australia’s smallest pot still distillery has since achieved fame across the world: in Europe as well as the USA and Asia. The manufacture offers a very diverse programme of dozens of products: imaginative liqueur creations, fruit brandies, absinthe, aquavit, bitter, gin, grappa, pastis, rum, vodka and much more. Word of mouth and a media presence have ensured that the small yet refined company has become widely renowned, winning hundreds of international rewards.

Three ingredients determine the success of these sparkling personalities of the spirits world (in addition to passion and zest for life, of course): red volcanic soil, opulent fruits and fresh spring water. The distillation is carried out through the traditional method in small copper stills – with a small degree of technical improvisation. The equipment used is unique: the bottles are imported from Italy and France and hand-painted by Alla Ward. Her Russian background is reflected in this colourful artwork which combines to form a striking puzzle on the well-stacked shelves.

Some new products were presented at the World Spirits Award from the company’s colourful range and with great success: there was gold for the aquavit, silver for the Slivovitz (damson) and Bucku Whisky Liqueur, and bronze for the grappa.