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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.

BY38 Gin: Handcrafted from a legendary plant

Birgit Gehrmann is a supplier of high-quality distillates far beyond Germany. Her premium dry gin is characterised by the use of Peruvian maca root, a natural aphrodisiac according to Inca legend. Today, maca is available in powder form as a dietary supplement which is said to reduce stress, increase energy, improve mood and more. The plant, also known as Peru ginseng, grows under extreme climatic conditions in the Peruvian Andes at altitudes of around 3,000 metres. The Q’ero, the last descendants of the Incas, also live there. Maca is said to have been used thousands of years ago as a fortifying food and a health remedy.

Sensory experts, bartenders and market researchers were involved in the development of the gin. It is produced in the Black Forest with the best water from the region, which for the founder is “more than just an ingredient from the tap, but an almost mystical element” which is just as important as the botanicals. The production conditions are ideal: a distillery ‘fired’ by a PV system which has been converted to electricity in order to be independent of gas, and a bottling capacity of more than 20,000 litres per month. Small handmade runs are a major challenge in terms of logistics, which is why the primary clients are bars, hotels and premium specialist retailers, as well as the online business.

The gin has a malty maca note reminiscent of toffee and vanilla, paired with berries and a citrus-like fruit from Peru, as well as juniper from the Black Forest, classic spices such as coriander and angelica root, and a hint of different types of pepper.

BY38 Dry Gin won gold at the World Spirits Award.

Wyborowa – The vodka of a master

“The Wyborowa product portfolio has its roots in decades of tradition and extensive know-how,” says Tadeusz Rusek, Senior Brand Manager at Wyborowa Pernod Ricard. The Pernod Ricard Group has operated in Poland since the mid-1990s and, in 2001, took on the Wyborowa brand. The company specialises in the dynamic development of international brands in the premium sector and strengthening competitiveness in the home vodka sector in Poland. “We decided to show consumers what the traditional means of production are, which is why we introduced our Master Distiller, Lukasz Karmowski. The name of the vodka, Wyborowa od Mistrza, refers to his creation, and the picture on the label is an expression of our recognition and respect for him,” Rusek adds.

The Master Distiller says: “I am very grateful to my father for showing me how to carry on the family tradition. I believe that distillation was my calling, and I am so happy that the cooperation with Wyborowa Pernod Ricard means that this special vodka will soon be available all across the country. I value all the initiatives that contribute to maintaining the culture of traditional distillation and that focus on the people themselves who play a key role in this.” This vodka is only produced in one distillery using locally grown rye. The specially designed, frosted glass bottle and the label with the historical sketch of the distillery and the picture of the master distiller underline the uniqueness of the content.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Wyborowa od Mistrza.