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Gans Feinbrand Manufaktur – Sophisticated gin from a well-established production process

In a small village in the March of Brandenburg, there is a quartet enthusiasts with a love for detail at work who want to express their passion for excellent spirits with their own products. It is here that they produce regional products with a special signature, such as GANS Gin. Exotic botanicals from far afield are not used, but twelve ‘unassuming’ local ingredients are used to compose a lively symphony, the notes of which already play a beautiful tune in the nose.

GANS Gin belongs to a young, innovative gin category, the New Western Style, where the focus is not on the juniper, and other aromas are given more room. The fresh, fruity, flowery gin is characterised by a combination of aronia berries, acacia blossom, rosehip, blackberries, oat straw, clover, lemon herbs, and daisies. The juniper unfolds its typical notes in a complex postlude of flavours on the palate.

The alcoholic base is the best farmer’s raw alcohol, produced in Germany using local products. Together with the organic botanicals, it is carefully distilled and then diluted with especially soft water. Distilled in small batches, GANS Gin is a very special boutique spirit for long drinks, cocktails and, above all, pure enjoyment – nothing unusual, just something simply unique.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for GANS Quince Liqueur.

87 WOB-Punkte – Metaxa 7 * 7 - Silver
Metaxa S. & E. & A., GR-14564 Kifissia, Athens,
Fragrance: Intense wine and herb nose, fresh citrus fruit, orange, lime, wine yeast, muscatel perfume, a lot of raisin, dried fruit, honey, discreet herbal mixture, oregano, lovage, camomile. Taste: Rather subtle wine style, a lot of citric freshness, associations of candies, dried apricots, nutty notes, fresh herbs, mint, peppermint, sage, floral accents, strong honey sweetness, medicinal tartness, good length. Volume: 700 ml, Price: Auf Anfrage EUR

88 WOB-Punkte – Metaxa Grand Olympian Reserve 12 - Silver
Metaxa S. & E. & A., GR-14564 Kifissia, Athens,
Fragrance: Present brandy style, ripe aroma image, raisins, figs, dried fruit, grated hazelnuts, vanilla, delicate herbal notes, slightly vegetal touch. Taste: Intensely more vinous, delicate yeasty character, muscatel, raspberry and strawberry mixture, lemon, orange, dried prunes, caramel, pleasant candy sweetness, dried herb spiciness, broad, almost lush, somewhat astringent. Volume: 700 ml, Price: Auf Anfrage EUR

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.